INDEX. What is Chemotherapy? p.1. Chemotherapy Side Effects p.3. Coping Tips p.12. Contacts, Tasks, General Information, Parking p.15. My Notes p.

Transcription

1 INDEX What is Chemotherapy? p.1 Chemotherapy Side Effects p.3 Coping Tips p.12 Contacts, Tasks, General Information, Parking p.15 My Notes p.23

2 What is Chemotherapy? 1

3 2 Chemotherapy is used to describe a group of medications that kill cancer cells. There are different kinds of chemotherapy medications; your doctor will choose which ones are right for you. How will you receive your chemotherapy treatments? Intravenously : means in the vein. The nurse will insert a small tube into your vein using a needle. It will be taken out when you are ready to return home (treatments of the day are finished). OR Subcutaneously : means an injection under your skin. The nurse will give it to you at the clinic; or you will be taught to do it on your own; or the CLSC may do it for you. OR Orally : means the medication will be taken by mouth. The way you get your chemotherapy will depend on the type you will be getting.

4 Side Effects 3

5 4 What are side effects? They are undesired effects of your treatment. Not everyone experiences side effects. Some people have them, some people may not. They are unique to each person. Not everyone s body will react the same way to the medication. There are different kinds of medications against cancer which may create different side effects.

6 5 HAIRLOSS Caused by: Some chemotherapy drugs. It usually occurs 2 3 weeks after the treatment begins. It is temporary. Your hair may start growing back during treatment, or up to 6 months after the treatment is over. Tips: Use mild shampoo. Use a soft hair brush. Do not dye your hair while on treatment. Wait 3 to 6 months after new hair growth before resuming colouring. If your hair starts falling out: Shaving or keeping your hair short will make it easier to manage. Find out about wigs, scarves and other head coverings at Hope & Cope.

7 6 NAUSEA and VOMITING Caused by: Chemotherapy, pain medicine, dehydration (not having enough water in your body), constipation. Tips: Eat smaller meals and snacks throughout the day. Take the antinausea medication prescribed or suggested by your doctor at home. Call us if your nausea does not go away after. On the day of your treatment, you may eat before or during your treatment if you like. This varies from person to person. Avoid sweet, greasy, fried or spicy food if they make your nausea worse. Cool liquids may be easier to drink than hot liquids. Make sure you drink a lot to prevent dehydration. Let other people do the cooking or try to open a window if the smell of food bothers you. Consider relaxation and distraction techniques.

8 7 FATIGUE and SLEEP MANAGEMENT Fatigue Subjective feeling of tiredness. It can be physical or psychological. Caused by: Disease, the medications, low blood cells, stress, busy schedule, concerns. Tips: Keep track of your energy levels in a journal Try to have a regular sleep pattern. Make appointments and plan events when you have the most energy. Do the most important things of you day first. Give yourself some rest time in between the activities. Drink a lot, at least 2liters per day. Have 5 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals. This will help balance out your body s energy supply. Be active. 30 min a day of moderate activity can give you more energy. It does not have to be all at once (2 times 15min for example, or 3 times 10min). Rest when you need it. Take short naps (not more than 20min). Save longest sleep for the night. Try not to take naps in the late afternoon, this can make it harder for you to sleep at night. Relax before going to bed, listen to music, take a warm bath. If you are interested in hypnosis or meditation, ask your nurse to refer you to one of our specialists Let others help, conserve your energy if you are tired.

9 8 MOUTH SORES Caused by: Some chemotherapy drugs. It can happen shortly after the treatment starts; and is usually at its worst one week after treatment. Tips: Avoid spicy or salty foods or food with sharp edges that may cut your mouth. Gargle with baking soda and table salt (1/4 teaspoon of each in 1 cup of warm water at least 4 times daily, especially after meals) Brush your teeth 3 4 times a day with a soft bristle toothbrush. Use non abrasive toothpaste (ex. Biotene) Avoid highly flavoured and/or alcohol containing mouth washes

10 9 RISK OF INFECTION Caused by: Low count of white cells in your body. White cells are you body s army. They fight to protect you. Watch for signs of infection Unusual sweating Diarrhea Burning feeling when you pee Severe cough or sore throat Chills Call us immediately If you have a buccal temperature at 38 C (100.4 F) for 1 hour or a buccal temperature at 38.3 C (101 F) once Important If you have fever, do not take acetaminophen (Atasol, Tylenol), asa (Aspirin, Entrophen), non steroidal anti inflammatory (Motrin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Naprossyn) Tips: You must have a buccal digital thermomether at home Avoid contact with people having contagious diseases Maintain a good hygiene (hand washing, proper mouth care ) Avoid contact with animal feces, urine, saliva or litter box material and practice hand hygiene after any animal contact Wash thoroughly raw fruits and vegetables/ Avoid raw meat or raw fish Consult a member of your treating team prior to any dental procedures Avoid sexual practices that can injure the tissues Always take your temperature before taking acetaminophen (Atasol, Tylenol), asa (Aspirin, Entrophen), non steroidal anti inflammatory (Motrin, Ibuprofen, Advil, Naprossyn)

11 10 IMPORTANT If you have any of these symptoms, Call us immediately From Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00 pm: ext This will lead you to your primary nurse On evenings, nights or Weekends: and ask the operator to page the Hematologist or Oncologist on call. The doctor will then call you back A temperature at 38 C (100.4 F) for 1 hour or 38.3 C (101 F) once Bleeding that will not stop Bruising easily Pain that is very bad, or pain that does not go away Having a hard time breathing, cough that does not go away, hoarse voice Having a hard time walking Swelling of hands, feet or face Blood in your stool or urine Dizziness that will not go away, blurry vision

12 11 If you have any of these symptoms, Call us From Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00 pm: ext This will lead you to your primary nurse During daytime on Weekends: and ask the operator to page the Hematologist or Oncologist on call. The doctor will then call you back Sore throat, or pain in mouth Sudden weight loss or gain Chills or shivers Constipation or diarrhea (not being able to pass stool or passing liquid stool) Having a hard time urinating, or pain when you urinate Strong pain in the vein where you had the intravenous Exposure to chickenpox or any illness that can spread from person to person Skin rash Change in menstrual cycle or flow (change in your period)

13 Coping Tips 12

14 Contact us: Location: E

15 14 Coping tips can help you manage the feelings cancer might bring up. The following strategies are suggestions. You will figure out which one(s) may be helpful to you. Feel free to develop your own strategies, as coping is very personal. Do not hesitate to call if you need help. Seek social support: Develop your relationships. Some find it helpful to take part in group therapy in order to talk to others who may be feeling the same way. Avoid being closed off, do not isolate yourself. Use distraction: Use humour. As much as possible, carry on with your usual routines and work, keep doing activities that matter to you as best you can. Get involved: Take an active role in restoring your health. Get information about your condition and your treatment. Spiritual need: Explore your beliefs. Some people find peace and comfort through their spirituality.

16 Contacts, Tasks, Tips, Parking 15

17 16 Important number and locations Resource Location Phone number Reception hematology E Reception oncology E Hope & Cope E Pharmacy E (ext.25940) Nurses E (ext.25529) Study Coordinators E B.M.T Coordinator E (ext.24329) *B.M.T: bone marrow transplant *Hematology: the study of blood *Oncology: the study of cancer

18 General guidelines for your appointments in hematology and oncology 17 Always bring your Medicare card AND your RED hospital card

19 General information 18 Do not forget: each person s cancer experience is unique. Try not to listen to other people s cancer stories, since their experience is likely to be very different than yours. A light lunch is served to patients, but you are welcome to bring your own food. Your family is welcome to stay with you while you receive treatment. There is a TV at each treatment chair for you to use. Volunteers will be passing out coffee, juice and warm blankets Waiting some days may have longer waits than others. We do our best to avoid this, but it is not always possible. The possible reasons for longer wait times include: More people booked that day. Your medications are prepared the day of your treatment. (This can take some time). Some treatments take longer than others to administer and need to be started early in the day (these patients may be called before you). Do not plan other events or appointments the day of your chemotherapy. Depending on the waiting time, you may be at the clinic longer on some days the on others, which makes planning other events difficult. Have someone drive you. Some of the medication involved in chemotherapy could make you sleepy.

20 19 Parking & Transport Ask the receptionist on the 8 th floor for a 7$ parking voucher when you come for treatment or a doctor s appointment at the Jewish General Hospital. (maximum of 4 voucher per month) Talk to your nurse if you need transportation to and from your cancer appointments at the Jewish General Hospital.

21 20 P LDI E K G C D Main Entrance B H A

22 21 The Cancer Care team ONCOLOGIST/HEMATOLOGIST PIVOT NURSE PRIMARY NURSE ONCOLOGY PHARMACIST DIETICIAN SOCIAL WORKER HOPE AND COPE CONSULTATION SERVICE FOR SENIOR ONCOLOGY PATIENT ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT ONCOLOGY PROGRAM THE CANCER NUTRITION REHABILITATION (CNR) TEAM RESEARCH AND CLINICAL RESEARCH UNIT (CRU) PSYCHOLOGIST PSYCHIATRIST SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM (S.C.T.) RECEPTIONISTS PATIENT REPRESENTATIVE (Ombusman)

23 Internet sites for consultation 22 Société canadienne du cancer Segal cancer center JGH Patient and Family Resource Center JGH.ca/pfrc

24 My Notes & My questions 23

25 Step by step guide of where to go if you are seeing your doctor 24 Register at the check in window(e 776.2) on the 7 th floor of the E Pavilion (near the elevator). 1 2 Get a blood test the receptionist will guide you as to whether you need one or not. Blood tests are done at E 778 if you do not have a central venous access: if you do have a central venous access device, go to the 8th floor. 3 Wait in the waiting room to see your Doctor Waiting room 1 for Hematologist Waiting room 2 for Medical or Gynecological Oncologist, or Surgeon Waiting room on the 10 th floor E pavilion (Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Center) for Pulmonary Oncologist

26 25 4 As you wait: An assistant may call you in and weigh you. You can return to the waiting room after being weighed. Free refreshments and snacks can be found in the waiting room 2 (tea, coffee, cookies) 5 Seeing your doctor: Once your blood tests are done and when it is your turn in the scheduled appointments, you will be brought to see your doctor by a volunteer or a beneficiary assistant. Family members are usually welcome to accompany you 6 Book a return appointment with the right secretary: General Oncology, Gynecological Oncology, Surgery Book appointment at room Pulmonary Oncology Book appointment at room E 1055 on the 10 th floor E pavilion (Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Center) Hematology Oncology Book appointment at room E If a prescription is written by your physician, bring it to the 8 th floor s Oncology Pharmacy room E 881. Once your prescription is handed out, it will be validated for your next treatment

27 Your Chemotherapy day 26 1 You need to have a blood test done the day before each of your chemotherapy treatment appointments. If you saw your doctor the day before, that result will be used to validate your prescription. If you do not have a central line, get a blood test on the 7th floor (E 778) of the E Pavilion the morning before your treatment. Otherwise you must present yourself at the nurses stations on the 8 th floor Register at the Reception on the 8th floor then Proceed to the waiting room. 2 An employee will call you to Station 1 or 2 where you Will receive your chemotherapy treatment 3 4 Once at the Station, an employee will bring you to the chair where you will receive your chemotherapy treatment. Do not forget to schedule your next treatment for Chemotherapy before you leave the clinic