Hello! Thank you for choosing Fox Chase Cancer Center for your infusion
treatment. We know that undergoing cancer treatment can be a stressful experience.
That's why we have a team of cancer specialists here to guide you through
every step of the process. The first step is understanding the treatment you're
about to receive and knowing what to expect.
All the information covered in this video, as well as full details about
treatment, can be found in our Infusion Therapy Guide for Patients. Please keep
this guide with you. You'll likely need to refer to it often throughout
treatment. Infusion treatment is a blanket term that describes a procedure
in which medicine is given directly into a patient's bloodstream to shrink or
stop cancer cells from growing. It can be given through an IV catheter, a needle
injection, or a port. A port is a small plastic or metal disc connected to a
catheter that's implanted under your skin, to allow access to one of your
veins. Having a port implanted is often recommended for patients undergoing
treatment for a longer period of time because it saves you from having to be
stuck with the needle over and over. Certain chemotherapy medications may
also be given in pill form by mouth, or as a cream rubbed into the skin. Types of
infusion treatments include: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusions, hormone
therapy, and other infusion treatments you might need as you fight your cancer like
hydration fluids, antibiotics, and pain medications. Your cancer treatment
may also include targeted therapy. Targeted therapy is a type of cancer
treatment designed to stop the specific proteins that help cancer tumors grow.
Now before having an infusion treatment you'll get a treatment plan from your
doctor. This plan includes what medicines will be infused into your body, your
treatment schedule, results from your blood work and other tests, and
information on how to manage side effects and symptoms you may have as a
result of your treatment. Don't worry. Your care team will go over this
information with you in detail.
On the day of your appointment, please take your daily medications before
treatment, unless you're clearly told otherwise. We suggest bringing things to
help you keep busy because treatments may last for a few
hours, or you may have a wait time before starting treatment. Electronic devices
like tablets, laptops, music players, and headphones are welcome. If you don't have
your own, our Resource and Education Center (REC) can provide you with an iPad to
use while you're here. It's also a good idea to bring a support person with you,
if you can. One visitor, over the age of 12, can join you in the Infusion Room
during your treatment. Other visitors are more than welcome to wait in the outside
waiting area. If you can, please try to eat a light meal before your treatment.
You're also allowed to bring meals and snacks from home, or you can buy food
from our cafeteria or café if you get hungry.
Your doctor will talk to you about the schedule and the length of your
treatment. Some chemotherapy medications are given every day. Some are given
weekly, and some are given every two or three weeks. All that will be determined
by your doctor, who will go over it with you. Depending on the medicine you're on,
you may experience side effects. Some of these side effects may include:
nausea and/or vomiting, hair loss, changes in how food smell or taste, or a metallic taste
in your mouth, feeling tired or fatigued, muscle aches, mouth sores,
gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or constipation, nail changes, or skin
changes, such as rashes, increased sunlight sensitivity, or skin redness
that looks like sunburn. Get the attention of a nearby nurse if
you're on campus, or call us from home right away if you are experiencing:
a fever of a 100.5 or greater, flu-like symptoms like a fever, chills,
cough, or sore throat, shortness of breath, pain when you urinate, blood in your
urine or stool, or unexplained bruises. Also, some chemotherapy or infusion
treatments can affect your ability to get pregnant, or be fertile after your
treatment is over. If you have any questions or concerns about this, be sure
to talk to your doctor before starting your treatment. It's very important to
tell us how you're feeling during and after treatment. Sometimes, patients don't
speak up when they're having side effects because they think their
treatment will be stopped, or they assume nothing can be done to help. But, there
may be ways to lessen these side effects and make you more comfortable.
So, please let us know as soon as possible. One more thing: remember to
drink enough water before, during, and after your treatment. It helps prevent
dehydration and can help with side effects.
You'll be surprised about how much better you'll feel.
It takes about 2 days for your body to break down and get rid of most
chemotherapy medications. During this time, a small amount of the chemotherapy
medication comes out in your urine, stool, and vomit. While it's safe to touch other
people, like hugging and kissing, there are many things you can do to keep the
people around you safe during the 48 hours after your treatment. If you're
sexually active, be sure to practice safe sex during your entire course of
treatment and use barrier protection like condoms. At home, when you go to the
bathroom, flush the toilet twice with the lid down. If a chemotherapy medication
gets on your skin, wash it with soap and water and watch for any redness or skin
reactions. If you're having chemo at home, always wear rubber or disposable
waterproof gloves when you are cleaning containers that are used for any kind of
body fluids or waste. Make sure you throw away the gloves after each use. If you
have any problems or bad reactions, be sure to call our Triage Phone Line found
on the back of your Infusion Therapy Guide or call 9-1-1. In addition to
physical side effects, you may have emotional side effects as a result of
the life changes that come with cancer treatment. It's perfectly normal.
It's why we offer free social work services and it's why we have a full
team of social workers here who specialize in helping cancer patients
and their families. If you have any questions or concerns about infusion
treatment, please ask a nurse, a member of your care team, or call us. You will find
a list of phone numbers, a full list of side effects and symptoms, and more
information about what to expect during your treatment in your Infusion Therapy
Guide for Patients. Know that we are here anytime to help. Thanks for taking the
time to watch.