Scarborough Health Network (SHN) has dedicated oncology clinics at our Centenary and General hospitals that provide chemotherapy treatment to adult outpatients. We are here to provide compassionate care and the best possible patient experience.
Do you get chemo at the hospital?
Chemotherapy can be given at a medical center or taken at home, depending on the specific drug. Your health care team may need you to come in regularly to the clinic, doctor’s office, or hospital to receive the chemotherapy. This may be called outpatient treatment. Some types of chemotherapy can be taken at home.
Do you stay overnight for chemotherapy?
Comfortable clothes: Chemo can last anywhere from one to eight hours and may involve overnight hospital stays.
How much does a session of chemotherapy cost?
Depending on the type of cancer, he said the chemotherapy cost per session can range from P20,000 to P120,000 or more.
How long are you in hospital after chemotherapy?
Your length of stay in hospital will depend upon the type of tests, assessment, chemotherapy preparation and treatment you need. If you are a day patient, you are likely to be at the hospital between four and six hours, sometimes longer if the treatment is complex, or if you are taking part in a research study.
How many days a week do you have chemo?
You can have chemotherapy once a week or for several days, then rest for several days or weeks. The breaks give the drugs time to do their job. Rest also gives your body time to heal so you can handle side effects like nausea, hair loss, or fatigue. Each set of doses is called a cycle.
How many days a week do you go for chemotherapy?
Depending on the drug or combination of drugs, each treatment can last a few hours or a few days. You may have treatments every week or every 2, 3 or 4 weeks. How often you have treatment also depends on which drugs you are having, as well as your treatment plan.
Can I shower during chemo?
Bathe every day and use warm water. Avoid soaking in spas or hot tubs. Use a mild soap for bathing. Use a soft towel to gently wash skin.
Can you drive yourself home from chemo?
Most people can drive themselves to and from chemotherapy sessions. But the first time you may find that the medications make you sleepy or cause other side effects that make driving difficult.
How many hours does a chemo session take?
The length of time for chemotherapy regimens can range from 5 minutes to 8 or more hours. It all depends on the chemotherapy. Throughout the chemotherapy, your nurse will come in and check your vitals and make sure you aren’t reacting to the medications.
How many times a month do you get chemo?
You may get treatments daily, weekly, or monthly, but they’re usually given in on-and-off cycles. This means, for example, that you may get chemo the first 2 weeks and then have a week off, making it a cycle that will start over every 3 weeks. The time off lets your body build healthy new cells and regain its strength.
How much painful is chemotherapy?
Does chemotherapy hurt? IV chemotherapy should not cause any pain while being administered. If you experience pain, contact the nurse taking care of you to check your IV line. An exception would be if there is a leak and the drug gets into surrounding tissues.
How long is first chemo treatment?
Every plan is different. Your visit could last as little as one to two hours, or as long as six or more hours. Sometimes you will need to come in the next day for an injection, or two days later for a port pump discontinuation (if there is a medicine infusing while you are home).
What can I expect immediately after chemo?
Chemotherapy can cause nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) and vomiting (throwing up). Whether you have these side effects, and how often, depends on the specific drugs and dose. There are medications that are given before and after each dose of chemotherapy that can usually prevent nausea and vomiting.
How much rest do you need after chemotherapy?
Plan to get at least seven hours of sleep every night. To optimize your chances at getting good sleep, practice healthy sleep habits: Avoid caffeine for at least eight hours before bedtime. Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
What can I expect at my first chemo treatment?
Gastrointestinal symptoms: You may be constipated or have diarrhea after chemo. Sore mouth: Sometimes chemo can make your mouth feel dry and sore. Flu-like symptoms: You may have aches and pains a few days after your first treatment that feel similar to flu symptoms.
Can you work while on chemo?
Some people are able to keep working while they’re getting cancer treatment. Some people work their usual full-time schedules. Some work the same schedules under special conditions (accommodations), like being closer to the office bathroom so it’s easier to deal with side effects.
How long after chemo does hair fall out?
Hair usually begins falling out two to four weeks after you start treatment. It could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually. You’ll likely notice accumulations of loose hair on your pillow, in your hairbrush or comb, or in your sink or shower drain. Your scalp may feel tender.
Is the first week after chemo the worst?
For most people the side effects were worst in the first few days after treatment, then they gradually felt better until the next treatment. Some said the effects were worse with each successive treatment. Most side effects don’t persist and disappear within a few weeks after the end of treatment.
What do you wear to chemo?
The American Cancer Society recommends dressing in layers. Dress comfortably in sweatpants or yoga pants. Choose light materials so if you sweat, you won’t feel sticky. Wear a low neck or V-neck shirt so nurses can easily place ports to administer the chemo, and bring an extra shirt in case you sweat through the first.
Can you touch someone with chemo?
Chemotherapy is strong medicine used to fight cancer. While taking chemotherapy, it is safe to touch other people (including hugging or kissing).