Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more drugs as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemotherapy may be given with a curative intent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim to prolong life or to reduce symptoms (palliative chemotherapy).
If chemotherapy will be a part of your plan of care, once you have discussed and planned your first cycle of treatment, you will be treated in the infusion area in Dr. Sharma’s office. You will be cared for by a team of chemotherapy certified nurses who have expertise in administering chemotherapy, helping patients manage side effects and will be available to monitor your care throughout your treatment.
Our nursing staff are skilled at obtaining blood draws and are trained in accessing Port-a-Caths (devices used with many of our chemotherapy patients). We have a CBC analyzer in the office that can process a blood test within 15 minutes allowing us to discuss the results with you the same day. This is helpful in planning chemotherapy treatments and intervening if the test results are abnormal and require immediate medical attention.
Attached are general symptom management guidelines for use during chemotherapy. These will be reviewed with you in detail prior to treatment.
Managing Symptoms Following Chemotherapy
We have many resources available to assist you during your chemotherapy treatment period and you might be interested in exploring the following websites:
Wellness House in Hinsdale is available at no cost and as a complement to medical treatment to offer programs to educate, support and empower cancer patients and their families.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) is an organization committed to raising awareness, promoting education and providing support for women and families impacted by ovarian cancer.
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. They provide support services, transportation services and are an excellent source of information for cancer patients.