Hi Pajr1, they are likely to take various health details, height, weight etc. They will possibly take bloods so your oncologist can make sure all is ok. They will be able to advise what chemo you will be having and run through the side effects although your oncologist will run through these too and you will sign a consent form. You can ask how long the chemo will take, as this varies depending on what you are having. Ask if you can take someone with you as some hospitals still operate a policy of only the patient can attend. You can find out about picc lines, ports in arm or chest for easy administration of chemo and taking bloods. I had an arm port inserted. Its been great for bloods and chemo. I still have it as I have to have treatment every 3 weeks and need pre meds before so it makes things easier. Ports are good in themselves as they are under the skin and when healed you can continue with bathing and swimming etc and they only need cleaning/flushing every 12 weeks. Picc lines hang out of the arm and are dressed and need to be flushed once a week. These need to be covered when showering and you wouldn't be able to swim etc with it.
As everyone is different side effects affect us all differently too. You will be given an emergency number to call, so if at any time during your chemo treatment you are not feeling great you can call them and discuss things with them. They will be able to advise on what to do. I called my 3 times the first day after chemo as I felt odd and was reassured by them that all was ok. They are there to help and don't feel you are bothering even if you have to ring them a few times.
Hi Pajr1 . There are no good or bad qoestion to ask. Whatever you think of wrote down and take with you. Many of the questions I asked were the same as cuffcake. As they said you will be given a red card number to call with any queries. DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL. Any queries at all. Keep an eye on your temperature when you have had chemo and if it goes above 37.5 call them or if you feel so rough you can't get up cal them.
I found that my oncologist gave me a huge amount of information on the chemotherapy I was having, side effects, what outcome to expect and also gave me a choice of hormone therapies as I was pre-menopausal.
I took a notebook and took loads of notes. It was during covid, so I wasn't allowed anyone to come with me. I found that most of the questions I had written down (hair loss, side effects, food to eat/avoid, supplements to take/avoid) had been answered already.
I also got given booklets on my treatment to take away, a cancer book to fill out and for the nurses to fill out after each chemo and the cancer help line number, which I stuck on my fridge when I got home.
