Hi Maria - I am so sorry to hear of your experience...Harry's experience was somewhat different than what Cynthia described, although I think if he had opted to return to Stanford (3 hours away) it would have been similar. His surgeon said that he could do the chemo locally, in Fresno, about a half hour from our home, so we opted for that. The local oncologist we were referred to from the start has his own practice, opposed to other oncologists in the area that are in "group practices". We went to his office for the infusions. He has two rooms set up for chemo, one with two recliners and one with only one. Each had additional chairs for company. We tried to use the room with one recliner as much as possible, so Harry could listen to his radio talk show (he took his little transistor radio!), read or nap, (he's not much of a daytime TV watcher) it was a little more private. The nurse was very helpful and gave us a lot of tips when we started, then she left on maternity leave for six weeks! But, not to worry, the doctor actually set up each of Harry's infusions while she was gone!!! It was actually nice, because we could talk to him and ask questions as he started the infusions each time. It was really personalized treatment! The nurse returned from her maternity leave for the last few treatments and she also was very nice and took time with us for questions and checked on Harry frequently...that was one thing that I had to monitor the drip progress a little more because, of course, the doctor was busy with other patients -but it all worked out well.
I am so sorry that your initial experience has been such a bad one....I've heard some of the "group practices" here have the patients treatments in their centers rather than going to a hospital setting. Perhaps you could check to see if your area has anything like that, or if there are any private practice oncologists in your area...
I am sorry that on top of everything you are dealing with nausea and fatigue, which is itself very trying. We continue in our prayers for comfort and that a more suitable arrangement for your treatments can be found. HUGS AND MORE HUGS...Love and prayers, Margot and Harry