Tag: breast-cancer
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Things Your Oncology Nurse Says Daily-Outpatient Edition!
“Let’s check your labs.” We check labs a lot! We want to make sure your “counts” are good for chemo. Or, we might check them if you come in for a triage visit to make sure that your hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets are okay. Sometimes, the problem is electrolytes like potassium, calcium, or…
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What Your Oncology Nurse Wishes You Knew Before Starting Chemotherapy
Starting chemotherapy can feel overwhelming—physically, emotionally, and mentally. As an oncology nurse, I’ve cared for patients at every stage of treatment, and one thing is almost always true: what people expect is not what it actually is. Expectations are based on ideas or stories or movies. Or what happened to your mom’s second cousin. But…
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Understanding Common Chemotherapy Side Effects (Part 1)
There are a wide range of side effects associated with chemotherapy treatments. Some are serious while others are more a nuisance. Here’s a look at seven common side effects and ways to cope. Fatigue Fatigue, or tiredness, is one of the most common complaints that I hear from patients. Depending on the treatment regimen, there…
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Chemotherapy Versus Targeted Therapy Versus Immunotherapy- What’s the Difference?
As a chemo nurse, I hear it all the time. My patient will see me come up to their infusion chair with my gown on, double gloving, grabbing a face shield, and ask- “Is this my chemotherapy? Or is this the other one? The immuno one?” I get it. It can be confusing! Patients often…
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What Happens After a Cancer Diagnosis?
Getting a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Patients need time to process all the emotions around the diagnosis. More appointments quickly add to the schedule. There is much to do. If the person is still working, that is another piece of the puzzle to contend with. How do you fit all these appointments into your…
Writing RN 