Tag: chemo
-
3 Things I Tell Patients to Bring to Chemo
If you or someone you know is starting chemo, this one’s for you. People don’t always know what to bring. Here are the 3 things I tell people to bring along, especially for their first day and if they are going to be there a long day of treatment: #1 A blanket or hoodie Bring…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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 