Question about Chemo treatment Center

MiniMacsMom

So when I go home, the chemo center is an open room.  When I first got DX they told me that they had private rooms, but I found out today those are only for the really really sick chemo PTs.  I feel bad, but I really don't want people staring at me and my hubby while I am there for taxol x 12 for 4 hours each time.  I do feel selfish, but everyone I have seen in the Onc office back home is much much much older than me and they look at my hubby and I like, WTH, why are you here. 

 What were your rooms like when you got treated?  Did it bother you to be in an open room with a "mixed" group of cancers?  Wow, how cancer prejudice does that sound, sorry.  Would you ask for a private room if one was available? I'm sorry if this is selfish, but I can't really help it.

Mardibra

Well, if your selfish them I'm selfish too. I changed To a different location because the first location was just too depressing! One big room with people (much older than me) on top of each other, tv's blaring, etc. there was no way I could feel good in that room....no way. So I changed locations. It's brand new, a calming environment, and semi-private. All the cubby's have two chairs, a window, a tv, and a phone. You can't see the other people but the nurses can see you which is important.



You need to feel comfortable. Ask for what you want!

profbee

I hear ya.  I went to Dana Farber and we were all breast cancer patients...each person had an area you could curtain off...and there were some private rooms.  We always did the first appt of the day and asked for a private room if they had it so that hubby could climb in bed (the private rooms had beds rather than chairs) with me and we could both nap (he teaches at night LATE and then would get up at 5 to drive down to Boston).  Now that I'm down to just Herceptin, I'll be going locally and I realized the first time I went that i'm the youngest by like 40 years.  Then, the pity looks start..more like awww poor thing than why are you here.  ugh.  

So, I'd ask the nurses when the least crowded times are, and then sure you can ask if they have a private room available.   And then maybe think about bringing a laptop and some headphones and watch something on tv or something.  Hubby would bring his ipad and we could watch comedy shows on demand...we laughed so hard!  

Good luck, hon! 

Denise2730

I remember these big open rooms when my husband had chemo. I hated them and found them depressing. I'm not sure there are any other options in Lee County. I'm convinced it has something to do with money & expense. I know I just felt like we were unimportant when he had his chemo.

Mardibra

Also a Dana Farber customer!

Fearless_One

Mine was a large, bright, sunny room - open, but I think there were partitions for some for those who preferred more privacy.  Lots of windows...it was a very relaxing atmosphere with portable DVD's players, snacks, etc. 

lago

I was in a mixed room. I was 49 at the time and I felt I walked into the geriatric ward! I can only images the looks of "look at how young" you might get. Are there curtains you can close around you?

The new chemo room opened up 2 weeks after I finished chemo. I did my Herceptin in the new space. Everyone in that "pod" was not only a breast cancer patient but my MO's patient since they were much smaller rooms.

I have to admit the newer space was nicer although I preferred the old recliners. The new ones were to big and the recliner part was manual (old ones were electronic) Difficult to work those manual ones when one had nodes take or exchange surgery.  Guess someone didn't think this out.

MiniMacsMom

Wow, that makes me feel so much better that I am not the only one weirded out.  Its a great idea to talk to the nurses about timing/scheduling   My hubby is working through all this, though we are amazingly blessed so far that his boss is letting him have time off paid as much as he needs so far, but once we are back from the second opinion in TX he will have to work.  We usually schedule our other appts for the first or last slot of the day, but I hadn't thought about that in relation to the chemo   Ahh to much to think about!  Again, thanks so much for the support.  I was just feeling awful about how I felt about being the young one in the ward!