Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is prescribed by the oncologist but usually is administered at the hospital. All the registered nurses at the Good Shepherd Hospital chemotherapy center are experienced, chemo-trained professionals who maintain excellent communication with oncologists throughout each patient’s course of treatment.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy, or treatment with drugs to destroy
cancer cells, is used for cancer that is not localized enough to be treated with surgery or radiation therapy alone, when cancer has recurred, or when there is a strong chance that it could recur. It typically involves several cycles of treatment, each followed by a recovery period. The type and frequency of chemotherapy is determined by your oncologist.
Do I have to be hospitalized?
Most chemotherapy is provided in an outpatient setting, but the length and type of treatment varies according to the medications being administered. At Good Shepherd Hospital, patients receive intravenous therapy in a relaxed setting with individual televisions and portable video players, and may schedule transportation through the hospital’s courtesy van for a minimal fee. If they prefer, a family member may stay with them during the treatment.
What are the side effects?
Side effects vary widely according to the type of drugs used, the length of treatment and the amount of drugs taken, but nurses at Good Shepherd provide booklets on all possible side effects during each patient’s first visit. They also offer reputable sources for supplies such as wigs, and work with internal and external resources to meet every patient’s needs.
At Good Shepherd Hospital, we realize that chemotherapy can be a difficult part of the journey back to wellness, and we have developed special services, staffed by compassionate professionals, to hold your hand along the way.
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