Gemzar –

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #63767
    tiff1496
    Member

    It all depends on the doctor.
    I start with gem/cis, and my gem infusion was for 30 minutes.

    Then after #13 I moved to gem / xeloda. Now my gem infusion is for 75 minutes. This is md Anderson protocol.

    #63766
    Eli
    Spectator

    LeeAnn, those chemo recliners are not comfortable at all. We learned to insist on having a bed. Most chemo nurses were happy to accommodate our request. It takes just a few minutes to wheel away a recliner and wheel in a bed.

    #63765
    lainy
    Spectator

    LeeAnn, how about a pair of ear plugs and a good book? Think they would let me send up a couple of Margaritas? I so understand, I have no patience for sitting around either. Probably why I never became a Doctor…..no patients (patience)! Oh well, what do you expect, I just woke up! Say, how about just a little something to take the edge off so you can relax. Not sure though if you can do that when getting chemo. Best wishes!

    #63764
    leeann
    Spectator

    I had to go in 2 hours before my chemo appt for lab work.
    Once I’m in 1 hour of saline, 1 hour of gem,1 hour of cis, last 1hour of saline again. What a long day!! So I asked to get my blood work done 1 day early from hospital close to my home and have them fax the result to my onc.
    They prefer to have it done at same hospital where I’m getting chemo, but it’s just too much waiting around and I don’t have much patience for that. I have much better things to do then sit and wait,
    like doing load of laundry:-)

    @Eli
    thanks for info on bed. I did asked for it on my first chemo. It was sweet. I slept like a baby whole day, but second chemo bed wasn’t avail so I was stuck with recliner. :-( so noisy too much going on!!!

    #63763
    pak001
    Spectator

    All depends on the lab…
    if they receive the blood work back early, it shouldn’t be too long
    Gemzar infusion itself is 30 minutes.
    Predosing of aloxi and decadron 15 min. But majority of the time is spent waiting for blood results and for the pharmacy to mix the chemo.

    Good luck!!!

    #63762
    Eli
    Spectator

    She should request a bed when she checks in for a chemo. Our chemo ward had lots of beds. More beds than chairs.

    #63761
    speppers12
    Member

    Wow.. I hope she can handle this she has a sciatic nerve and arthritis , she can’t sit for too long. Without being in pain.

    #63760
    lisacraine
    Spectator

    We spent about 4 hours at the Clinic, but if the lab was behind, that could add time.
    Lisa

    #63759
    pamela
    Spectator

    My daughter got fluids and anti-nausea meds before her Gemzar. This would be about an hour. Her Gemzar ran for about 100 minutes. We always have labs and doctor visit before chemo, so it usually ends up being an all day affair. If you just have to go for chemo and she gets right in, it should only take about 3 hours.

    #7248
    speppers12
    Member

    We just found out today that they are recommending that my mom take 2-3 months of Gemzar and then they recommend surgery afterwards. I know the Gemzar will be once per week, what I forgot to ask is how long of a day will she have there? Is it an all day event or just a couple of hours?

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • The forum ‘Chemotherapy & More’ is closed to new topics and replies.