The Chemotherapy Clinic supports our patients and their families through their cancer treatment. We provide chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and patient education. We also offer procedures such as paracentesis and thoracentesis.
If you need to be treated by our Chemotherapy Clinic, you will be cared for by a dedicated team of medical oncologists, registered nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, registered dietitians, social workers, spiritual health workers, and volunteers who are trained in your chemotherapy needs.
Medical oncologists are doctors specially trained to treat cancer patients with chemotherapy or biotherapy. If you require an operation or radiation, the medical oncologist will refer you to a surgeon or radiation oncologist.
Medical oncologists can be contacted in the C. Donald Brodie Medical Centre (formerly the Medical Office Building) at 905-472-7072.
What You Should Know About the Chemotherapy Clinic
Appointments at the Chemotherapy Clinic
Consults – where you will see an oncologist in the Oncology Clinic – are done the day prior to bloodwork and treatment. If you come from a distance and wish to schedule consult appointments and treatment on the same day, or if you have concerns at any time during your treatment, speak with the nurse to make arrangements.
Please arrive on time for your appointment.
What to Expect at the Chemotherapy Clinic
Blood work is required before each treatment. We encourage you to have blood drawn the day before in the outpatient lab.
Before your treatment, the nurse will ask you to fill out a form about your symptoms and side effects, and they will discuss it with you. They will monitor your weight. After this, we will ask that you wait in the lobby and the nurse will call you when your chemotherapy is prepared.
A pharmacist will review your regime, common side effects, and medications prescribed by the physician. A medication chart will be created for you to use.
Your chemotherapy will be administered by a registered nurse. Chemotherapy teaching classes are held Friday afternoons. Here you will learn what to expect and what to watch out for.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Please bring the following to your appointment:
- Health card
- All medications including over-the-counter drugs
- A snack – people with diabetes should bring a snack or meal, insulin, and related supplies
- A book or other reading materials
Visitors to the Chemotherapy Clinic
You may bring your spouse or a friend for support; you are allowed one visitor in the treatment area. On occasion, we may ask visitors to step out for a minute. Due to the length of time required at the clinic, please make arrangements for child care as needed.
Children under 12 should not be in the clinic. Children and pregnant women are not permitted in the chemotherapy treatment area.
Discharge from the Chemotherapy Clinic
Upon discharge, please ensure you have your next appointment time and any prescriptions.
While at home, if you experience any of the symptoms listed below, call the Chemotherapy Clinic during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; call the symptom management hotline (1-877-681-3057) outside of normal business hours; or for urgent matters go to your nearest Emergency Department.
- Fever higher than 100.4°F or 38°C
- Breathing problems
- Increased pain
- Vomiting lasting more than 24 hours
- Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Constipation lasting for 72 hours not relieved with laxative
- Confusion and increased sleepiness
- New pain especially in the spine
- Prolonged bleeding from any source
- Loss of feeling or movement in the arms or legs, especially if you have trouble emptying your bladder
If you had a paracentesis or thoracentesis done in our clinic, see our discharge instructions below:
Paracentesis discharge instructions
Thoracentesis discharge instructions
