does the infusion center matter?

To answer but a part of your question, you may or may not be able to drive yourself.

I certainly found the whole experience quite shattering each treatment. I had trouble with my port the first few times, and was quite unwell with lung clots. Once I got on to the Taxol cycles I found that some of the drugs they gave me to counteract side effects made me really drowsy. I would have likely been impaired for driving, and I only live about 15-20 minutes from our centre, so I know how very lucky I am!

Actually, at our centre they did have a service of volunteer drivers available for those in need. Your centre may have something similar?

I wasn't able to drive myself home from the treatments, the meds made me way too loopy. I do understand the stress of finding care for your kids on treatment days. Like others have mentioned, they are long days and it sometimes was hard to find care for my kids for that long.

As far as choosing where to go for your infusions, can you visit the local place and get a feel for it, the nurses, etc? I think that feeling comfortable and well taken care of during the actual treatment is a very important thing. My MO is part of a small practice of MOs and they have there own small infusion center. The personalized care I got there from the nurses, doctors and support staff was/is amazing and made having to go into each treatment bearable.

If you need someone to drive you, you might try contacting your local American Cancer Society. Here they refer patients to organizations that provide free transportation to/from appointments. Also, you could ask friends if anyone would be willing to help you get to treatments. I found that in general that people truly want to help and are glad to have something to do for you. I even had people tag team where one person dropped off and another picked up, so that no one had to go out of there way too much.

Kendra

I don't think the infusion center matters in regards to getting the correct meds. That is assuming they are not terribly incompetent! But those stories are rare.

I think what is important is the atmosphere and staff. My MO moved to the main hospital the second time I had chemo. I got a feel for the main hospital infusion center and NO WAY would I want to be there! I like the satellite close to home. Very short wait (I'm talking 15 minutes), very nice staff, large, roomy infusion room, easy parking. I liked that I saw my MO rights before my infusion and sometimes she'd mosey into the infusion room for my first chemo. For my second chemo I saw her the day before at the main hospital. I was fine with that.

I couldn't drive myself on dd ACT but I did for TC

GrammyR-- Thanks for the tips and reassurance! I'll have to remember the pillow and the crackers!

I am a little concerned about my MO getting the doses right because before yesterday he claims to haven't heard about the TCHP combination he is giving me!!! ... Yikes... And my surgeon isn't cooperating, so some nameless folks in Radiology are putting in my Port (which MO didn't think I needed with 6 cycles of TCHP and when sometimes drawing blood is tricky for me). AND they didn't find my cancer with the annual mammograms--I had to find the lump! and 3cm isn't a small lump (I've got b cups and not so fatty or lumpy). My confidence has been floundering in them all. Only good thing is that all the techs and nurses are very friendly.

April,

Don't worry about "who" is installing your port. It is a very routine procedure and you don't need the most renowned doc in the country to do it. Did you attend chemo class? Although I never ended up having chemo*. I went to the class and it was really helpful. My infusion center (KP Santa Clara) provides pillows, warm blankets, a kitchenette stocked with small snacks and drinks and the nicest staff imaginable. I think the warm, caring staff is the most important thing.

*i had Pamidronate infusions for two years and still go for monthly port flushes

Different Chemo Facilities are different. That does not mean one is better than another - just different at least as to how they are set up. Mine had cubicles around the 4 walls with the Nurse's Station down the middle. All were solid/hard walled on 3 sides. (Well 1/2 the cubicles had the back wall that went to the outside so they had windows with a curtain that could be closed if you wanted.). The recliner ones were open front but had a curtain you could pull across if you wanted privacy. The hospital bed ones were glassesd in on the 4th side so that it was indeed a 'room' - they had a curtain that could be pulled across if you wanted privacy. All had individual cable TVs that you controlled what you wanted and chair(s) if someone came with you. They had call buttons if you needed something and you were hooked to a monitor the entire time. The glassed in cubicles had individual thermostats in them so if you needed it warmer or cooler you could get it. They had soup, crackers, fruit, juice, bottled water for you and the RNs always asked if you would like something and happily brought to you. They had warmed blankets and extra pillows if wanted/needed.

The Chemo Dr says what he wants you to have but it is calculated each time by the Pharmacist at the facility after you check in based on you size (height and weight) and possibly other pertinent issues. The 'speed' it is infused varies with different ones of us. When I was on neoadjuvant DD A/C, I saw my Chemo Dr before each infusion but on weekly adjuvant Taxol, I saw him every 3rd infusion.

Where I went there was no not having time to attend the Chemo Class. It was done one on one with an RN immediately before the first of any Chemo. It was about an hour for the neoadjuvant A/C with being given all sorts of general info about Chemo and about all the individual drugs that would be used. With the adjuvant Taxol, it was about 1/2 hr for Chemo Class as all we had to do was go over the new drugs. There was a check list that the RN had to initial she had covered and I had to initial I had heard it. I was given a loose leaf notebook with all the general info (in separate sections) and pages on all the individual drugs that would be used there and the the pre - post meds I had.

Ports must be flushed monthly if they haven't been accessed during that time frame. When it is accessed (be it for use or a flush), saline is injected in it to pass the heparin that is there to prevent clotting. After each use/flush, heparin will then be put in again to prevent clotting. A port does not have to stay there 'forever' for all - most have theirs removed soon after end of infusions. Because of my DX and not wanting to have to have another implanted 'somewhere' if/when it's needed, I choose to keep mine (it's my little soldier standing guard to keep the Monster away but ready to fight if it's needed)

If you need rides to TXs, contact the ACS. They have(or at least had) a program that will match ones who need rides with someone who can help. 4 years ago, I gave rides to a young man for his 35 rads appts for brain cancer. (Long story short -he was ex military and VA was housing him in the Lodge on Base here and as Hubby is retired Navy I have access to bases without having to be signed in, I have was asked to do it.). Have occasionally given rides to others when the usual driver was unavailable. Here in the 'Big Town', there is a gov. funded program for those with disabilities (their buses have wheelchair lifts) that will pick one up at their house, take to appts and then pick up and bring back home. From what I've been told, the most you can be charged is $5 - I've never used it but that's what I was told. You do have to call before the last minute to set it up.