general question about chemotherapy?

uria702 · New User Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 4

hi, i am scheduled to start my chemotherapy soon and am wondering how long the actual session will last? in your experience how long is each session, i know it most probably differs depending on each situation but i am speaking generally. how long can i expect to be at the hospital? and how long will i be "plugged in" any help would be greatly appreciated, im just trying to get a general understanding of the situation and my oncologist left for the day so just out of curiosity
oh, and i am diagnosed with stage 2 large b cell non hodgkins lymphoma
again thank you

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

The first time I went in for chemo occured somewhere in June 02 and I had 6 sessions, where I stayed in the hospital for a week, then I would go home and wait for two weeks then go back for another session. That's just for general chemo. I'm guessing 3-4 months on and off all together. You may be plugged in to the chemo machine for I would say 3-4 days a week but you're probably be monitored almost daily, like every 6 hours or whenever. It's gonna be hard as far as getting sleep because the nurses may come in nonstop to check on you and monitor you. For me I didn't get no sleep, probably like a few hours the most! As for the treatment itself it wasn't hard really being the first time, but recurrent for me, it's no picnic. Hope this helps a little, good luck on your treatment!

brainman

Hi Uria702,

The answers to your question are complicated. It depends on the type of chemo you are getting and how advanced the cancer is. I am going to move this thread to another forum where you might get some more specific answers.
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garyba · Regular Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 14

If you are not getting Rituxan, your first chemo will probably last two hours..good luck

uria702 · New User Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 4

i think i am getting rituxan vaccines. how long would it last then?

garyba · Regular Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 14

Rituxan takes about 6 hours, they start slow to see how your body reacts to it. Good product, no side efects past the first day and night.

SHANELLE85 · Regular Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 31

hi,
when i was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma my 1st chemo session went for a very long time just coz they took things slow with me.. and coz having chemo is a shock 2 ur system so 2 speak do they usually take the whole process very slow.. i think altogether it went 4 atlest 6 hours.. it was a very long day but gradually the time become less and it eventually became 2 hours.
i know how u must b feeling right now and its going 2 b a very stressful time 4 u but u will b fine.. its not as scary as wot u'd think having chemo would b.
i wish u all the luck in the world.
take care Wink

-shanelle

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