Preparing for your treatment

If you smoke you’ll be advised to stop smoking|, as it increases your risk of complications and long-term side effects. Your GP can also give you advice.

The doctors will also want to know if you have any medical conditions that could cause complications afterwards, so they will ask you some questions before treatment begins.

Tests Back to top

You’ll have a number of tests before the treatment. Your doctor or specialist nurse will explain what they are and why they’re needed. They may include:

• blood tests to check your general health and if you have any infections (including hepatitis and HIV)
• a chest x-ray to check your lungs and heart
• lung function tests to find out how well your lungs work
• kidney tests to see how well your kidneys are working
• heart tests – such as an ECG (electrocardiogram), echocardiogram or a MUGA (multiple gated acquisition) scan – to check that your heart is healthy
• a dental check to make sure that you don’t have any problems that might cause an infection
• a computerised tomography (CT) scan
• a bone marrow biopsy or lumbar puncture to check if there’s any disease in the bone marrow or spinal fluid.

Some of the tests you have may depend on the type of cancer or leukaemia you have and the stage of your disease. Our information about your type of cancer or leukaemia| have more information on some of the tests mentioned here.

Preparing yourself Back to top

Once you understand what the treatment involves, you can take time to think things over and start to make practical arrangements. Before you go into hospital, it’s important to talk to the doctors and nurses who’ll be looking after you.

You may be able to visit the unit or ward before your treatment. They’ll tell you what to expect and give you advice on how to prepare. It’s a good idea to take a relative or friend with you.

Some people find it helps to discuss things with someone who’s already had this treatment. Your specialist or a support organisation| might be able to put you in contact with someone suitable.

Arrangements vary between units. In some units, it may be possible to stay in nearby accommodation, have treatment as an outpatient and be admitted when you need more care. You’ll usually be looked after in a room of your own for a while, possibly for a few weeks.

Although you may think that you’ll have a lot of time on your hands, you may be more occupied than you think. Much of your day will be taken up with a daily routine of care and regular checks by the doctors and nurses looking after you. This will include things like having:

• blood taken from your central line
• medicines given into your central line
• your ‘drip’ (intravenous infusion) changed when needed
• your temperature, pulse and blood pressure taken
• your tummy examined and central line checked.

What to take with you

The nurses will give you ideas of what you can take with you to help pass the time and make you more comfortable. This can vary between units. It’s a good idea to take some books, magazines, pens and paper. You can also take a radio, MP3 player, audio books or relaxation CDs. You may be able to take in movies, computer games, games or supplies for a hobby, such as knitting. Many hospitals supply radios, TVs and DVD players. The nurses will explain what’s provided.

Since you could be confined to your room for a long period of time, you may find it helpful to bring special items from home to make you feel more comfortable. This can include personal things such as photos, pictures and possibly a special blanket or pillow that has been cleaned.

You will also need to take comfortable, loose-fitting clothes with you. Soft, cotton materials are best, and tops with buttons will make it easier when you’re being examined. Ask the nurses for advice on the kind of toiletries you should bring with you.

Some questions you might like to ask:

• How many visitors can I have, and how long can they stay?
• Is there anyone who shouldn’t visit, such as children?
• What precautions will visitors have to take when they come to see me?
• What should I bring to make my stay more comfortable?
• Is there a TV I can watch? A DVD player?
• Can I bring in my mobile phone? Is there a telephone I can use, and will I need coins or a phone card?
• Can I bring in a laptop computer, and will I have access to the internet?
• Do I need to follow a special diet? Are there any foods that I should avoid?

Visitors Back to top

Visitors, especially close family and friends, are important. They give you support and keep you in touch with life outside hospital.

Most hospitals are flexible about visiting, but different hospitals have different rules about visitors. You may be restricted to a certain number of visitors each day to help protect you from infection|. The nurses will explain more about this to you.