I have had CLL for several years and i have been told i need to start Treatment ,i will be offered either Chemo or Tablets for life , what i want to know is what happens at a Chemo session how do they proceed to give you the chemo what exactly happens???.
Hi DBF2nd Flotilla,
Welcome to the online community. I hope you find this a supportive space.
I’m Eileen one of the Cancer Information Nurses working on the Macmillan support line.
I can appreciate your desire to know what to expect when you commence treatment.
Several chemotherapy drugs used to treat CLL come in tablet or intravenous formulations. Some people might be given a combination of chemotherapy drugs with targeted drugs.
Decisions regarding the most appropriate treatment plan for you are made by your team and based on the specific information they have about your disease, such as any gene changes involved in your CLL. They also review your past medical history and general health.
If you are to receive intravenous chemotherapy this is usually given in a chemotherapy day unit. You usually spend a few hours in the unit, but this can vary depending on the specific drugs that have been prescribed for you.
There are various ways of giving chemotherapy into a vein and if you are to be given your treatment this way your hospital team will discuss which option is best for you prior to commencing treatment.
Once a final decision has been made about your treatment plan your hospital Consultant or Clinical Nurse Specialist will be able to talk to you in detail about what to expect.
I hope this information is helpful but please get back in touch by phone or email if you have any further questions.
Best wishes,
Eileen
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.
Ref/ CF
