Table of Content
This time also takes a physical and emotional toll on you. But when you are supported and have a place to talk out your worries and get perspective on your challenges, you will have the energy to help your partner. I offer coaching support specifically for you–the partner and caregiver–to help you cope with the stress and worries and build your resiliency toolbox. Schedule a free call with me today to learn more about my programs and see how I can help. Chemo doesn’t just affect people when they’re getting the treatment. So, whether your spouse is having theirs administered at a hospital or home, the pain and challenges last well beyond the few hours of treatment.
You then go to the day unit every day for treatment. You'll have a contact number to call if you need help or advice. Some hospitals and private healthcare companies have homecare chemotherapy nurses.
Chemotherapy Safety in the Home
Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected. Our aims are for our information to be as clear and relevant as possible for everyone. This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
Instead of thinking you know how best to support them, ask! You can simply say, “How can I support you right now? ” If they don’t know the answer, you can suggest something and get their feedback.
Contacting the hospital
For many people, chemo treatments and the after-effects will be difficult. While it can be really hard seeing someone you love in pain, the more you accept it, the less you will stress over something you have little to no control over. The less stressed you are, the less your stress will affect your partner. Remember, they will pick up on your emotion and energy just like you pick up on theirs. So, practice taking care of your mental and emotional health so that you can show up as the strong, supportive person you want to be.
“Well, I get my chemotherapy through an IV, so that wouldn’t work for me,” you might say. But, some people do get chemotherapy infusions at home. In-home cancer care is possible and available services are slowly expanding.
Chemotherapy into a vein
The nurse is here for about two hours and then I have to wear a pump with a chemotherapy sachet around the waist,' he says. If your medication splashes in your eyes, rinse them with running water right away. Keep the water flowing over your open eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Call your healthcare provider to ask for more instructions.
If you have a fever, call your doctor or go to the hospital right away. If you go to the emergency room, make sure you let them know you’re getting chemotherapy. It’s considered a medical emergency if you get an infection while you’re on chemotherapy.
Chemocare Support
Some cancer drugs are dangerous chemicals, no matter how they are given to the patient. In these cases, it's important that only the person being treated should be exposed to them. No matter how you take these drugs, the chemicals remain in your body for hours to days after you take them. Small amounts of these drugs are in your urine, feces, vomit, and even your sweat. Many oral cancer treatments are hazardous drugs and need to be handled with special care.
All drugs must be stored out of the reach of children, as they could cause serious harm if taken by accident. You are the only person who should be exposed to the chemo you are getting, but it can be irritating if it gets on your skin. Any spilled IV chemo, any powder or dust from a pill or capsule, or any liquid from oral or other kinds of chemo can be hazardous to others if they are around it. Learn what you need to do to help the patient stay on track so they don't miss a treatment or dose. Your doctor might also give you medication to thin your blood and prevent clots.
Self-administering treatment at home is often less expensive than receiving treatment in a hospital or clinic. But in some cases, health insurance plans don’t cover the costs of home treatment. If you have health insurance, your cancer care team may encourage you to contact your insurance provider to learn if home treatments are covered. It's not always possible to get your cancer treatment at home.
In the meantime, there are a number of things that can relieve symptoms, both at home and at the hospital. You can take chemotherapy tablets or capsules at home. You’ll still need to visit the hospital outpatient department regularly for blood tests and check-ups. You might be able to have the blood tests at your GP surgery to save you going to the hospital.
It might feel a bit painful or uncomfortable for a short time. Caregivers should wear 2 pairs of throw-away gloves if they need to touch any of your body fluids. (These can be bought in most drug stores.) They should always wash their hands with warm water and soap afterward – even if they had gloves on. Most of the drug waste comes out in your body fluids, such as urine, stool, tears, sweat, and vomit. The drug waste is also in your blood, and may be in other body fluids such as fluids from semen and the vagina. When chemo drugs or their waste are outside your body, they can harm or irritate skin.
No comments:
Post a Comment