• Side effects – Understanding what side effects you can expect from your type of treatment will allow you to prepare for them as best as possible.

• Caregivers – Figuring out your support system before you start treatment allows you to focus on healing your body, while they take care of all the extra stuff life throws at you.

• Finances – Cancer is expensive. Understanding the estimated cost of your treatment plan, including what your insurance will cover, is important. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the cost, our CareLine patient navigators can help you find additional financial support.

• Work – Depending on your job, you may need to take time off for treatment or to heal afterwards. Have those conversations with your employer before you begin treatment so everyone has the same expectations.

• Your medical team – Ask about any tips and tricks they might have to make treatment as seamless as possible. 

• A loved one – Taking a loved one with you to treatment is possibly the most important thing we could include here. Depending on your treatment, you may have to sit around for a while or you may be tired afterwards, so having someone you can trust to hang out with you and drive you home afterwards is very helpful.
• Cozy items – Your favorite pillow, blanket, socks, or slippers can help you feel more comfortable during a long treatment.

• Comfy clothes – It’s important to wear comfy, loose fitting clothes that you can sit around in for long periods of time and easily get in and out of. Consider clothes that you can easily roll up the sleeves of and provide access to your chest if necessary, like a front button down shirt. And dress in layers to easily manage any body temperature swings or the cold hospital.

• Activities – Bring things to pass the time. Some of our favorites include books, magazines, and puzzles like a crossword or Sudoku. Don’t forget your headphones to listen to podcasts or music, watch a show downloaded to a device, or call a friend.

• Food – Snacks can help you get through the day. Consider bringing popsicles, candies, ginger chews, or gum to help with the nausea and metallic taste from chemo. If you’re in the hospital for longer than a week, you may want to bring a mini fridge so you can store some of your favorite food and have options besides hospital food every day.

• Liquids – Bring water, hot tea, and/or a refillable water bottle.

• Self-care – Tissues, scent-free lotion, and lip balm are all important. If you’re staying overnight or longer, don’t forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, and skin care products. You can also bring pictures of your favorite people, pets, places, and memories.
• The usual – Don’t forget the boring but important stuff like your wallet, ID, insurance card, and keys.

Before surgery starts, you can expect to:

• Meet with your medical team for a physical exam and to discuss the surgery and recovery.
• Have additional tests such as a blood test, EKG, CT or PET scan, MRI, ultrasound, or bone scan.
• Remove all clothing and jewelry that will interfere with the surgery, as well as glasses or contact lenses if you use them.
• Undergo anesthesia. After you receive anesthesia, a nurse or doctor will clean and shave the part of your body where you are getting surgery to reduce the risk of infection.

Before chemo treatment starts, you can expect to:

• Have a blood sample taken.
• Meet with your oncology team to discuss your blood sample, how you’re feeling, and your treatment plan.
• Meet the nurse or other healthcare provider who will be giving you your treatment.
• Have your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, temperature, height, and weight taken.
• Possibly have an IV tube placed in your arm or a port in your chest if that is how your chemo will be delivered.

Before receiving radiation therapy you can expect to:

• A radiation simulation aka a practice run to identify the exact tumor location and develop a clear treatment plan.
• You could possibly be fitted for a device to keep the part of your body that’s receiving radiation completely still throughout treatment.
• If you’re undergoing external-beam radiation therapy, you can expect a quick and painless radiation session, but you will hear clicking or buzzing throughout the treatment and there may be a smell from the machine.
• If you’re undergoing internal radiation therapy (aka brachytherapy), you will have radioactive seeds, ribbons, or capsules placed in your body either temporarily or permanently.

Because you’re immunocompromised, it is very important to avoid anyone who is sick or could pass germs to you while you’re undergoing treatment. Your medical team can tell you about aftercare, including any side effects to expect, how soon you can get back to your normal activities, and who to contact if you have questions or concerns after treatment.