Chemo Day

General Chemo Process

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Step 1: Lab Work

• You need to get blood work done one to two days before your chemo infusion.

• Common tests: Complete Blood Count (CBC), metabolic chemical panel, and CA-125.

• Blood tests help your care team guide treatment plan.

 

Step 2: Care Team

• After blood tests, meet with your oncologist or nurse practitioner.

• Discuss test results and treatment plan.

• Possible adjustments if blood counts are low (e.g., delay treatment or require a transfusion or medication like Neupogen).

 

Step 3: The Infusion

• A. Setup:

  • Comfortable reclining chairs with pillows and blankets.

  • Numbing options for the port area (e.g., Lidocaine numbing cream or ice pack).

  • Nurse will access the port or insert an IV if necessary.

  • Blood return is checked, and saline flush is done.

• B. Pre-Meds:

  • Pre-meds (e.g., steroids, Benadryl, anti-nausea meds) help manage chemotherapy side effects.

  • Each medication is verified with your name and DOB before administration.

  • Pre-meds are usually given via IV drip, and you may need to verify each medication.

• C. The Chemo Agents:

  • Once pre-meds are complete, the chemo drugs are administered.

  • Chemo agents are given through an IV with separate verification for each drug.

  • The Paclitaxel infusion is slower and longer, so you might rest, read, or engage in other activities during this time. 

• D. Wrap Up:

  • After chemo, saline is run to keep you hydrated.

  • Nurse will flush and de-access your port or remove the IV line.

  • Once completed, you are free to leave.

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