Radiation Therapy
Category Archives: Radiation Therapy Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to treat cancer. This treatment is used to: Cure cancer by destroying cancer cells Control cancer by keeping cancer cells from growing and spreading Reduce cancer symptoms such as pain There are two types of radiation therapy: With external radiation therapy, a machine directs high-energy rays at the cancer. This is the most common type used. The skin is marked with ink so that the treatment is done at the same spot each time. The treatment is often done 5 days a week for 2 to 7 weeks. The first appointment may take a few hours but after that, treatments only take a few minutes. With internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy or implant therapy, the radiation source is put in the body in or near the cancer. It is sealed in a small holder called an implant. The implant may be thin wires, plastic tubes, capsules or seeds. The implant is placed for a few hours, a few days, or it may be left in place. Your doctor will decide the amount of time that the implant will be in place. If it is to be left in your body, the implant will lose its radioactivity in a short time. Internal radiation allows the doctor to give a higher total dose of radiation in a shorter time than can be done with external treatment. Internal radiation therapy may also be done using radioactive liquid that is taken by mouth or put into the body. Your doctor will talk about safety measures to take at home and around other people. These measures will be for a limited time. Your doctor may order both types of radiation therapy. Radiation may be used alone or with other cancer treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy affects both cancer cells and normal cells that are in the treatment site. The effects on normal cells are called treatment side effects. The most common side effects are feeling tired and skin problems. Other side effects may occur depending on the treatment site. The side effects often go away after treatment. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any side effects. Talk to the doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Receiving Blood Transfusions
Category Archives: Receiving Blood Transfusions Receiving Blood Transfusions Blood is made up of fluid called plasma that contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Each part of the blood has a special purpose. A person may be given whole blood or only the parts of the blood needed to treat an illness or injury. Types of Blood Transfusions A transfusion is the process of giving whole blood or parts of the blood through an intravenous (IV) catheter tube into a blood vessel. Your doctor will talk to you about the type of transfusion he or she recommends to treat your condition Red blood cells – This is the most common part of the blood given. Red blood cells are what give blood its red color. Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body then carbon dioxide back to the lungs. A red blood cell transfusion may be needed if you have lost blood to surgery or injury, or to treat anemia. Plasma – This is the liquid part of the blood that contains proteins that help blood clot and fight disease. Plasma transports water and nutrients to your body’s tissues. It is often given to replace blood that has been lost after bleeding. Platelet – These cells work with proteins in plasma to help blood clot. Platelet transfusions are given when the platelet count is too low. The blood used in transfusions most often comes from volunteer donors. The blood is carefully screened for disease to make sure that it is safe. Preparing for Treatment If the transfusion is not an emergency, a sample of your blood is taken to match your blood to donor blood and to decrease the chance of an allergic reaction. This sample of your blood is taken to find: Your blood type (A, B, AB or O) and whether you are Rh-positive or Rh-negative. Compatible donor blood. This is called cross-matching. A small sample of your blood is mixed with a small sample of donor blood to make sure they mix smoothly and are thus a match. Tell the doctor if you have allergies or have had a reaction to a past blood transfusion. Signs of an Allergic Reaction An allergic reaction to a blood transfusion is not common. If a reaction occurs, it can be treated. Most reactions occur while you are receiving blood or soon after. Signs of a reaction include: Hives or itchy skin A fever Chills Dizziness Chest pain or ache Shortness of breath Back pain Pain at the transfusion site During the Transfusion A small needle is inserted into a blood vessel, most often in your arm or hand, and a small sample of blood is taken and tested to confirm your blood type. You will feel a pinch when the needle is inserted. A small plastic tube, called an intravenous (IV) catheter, is left in the blood vessel. You receive blood through this tube. The donor blood, which is in a blood bag hanging from an IV pole, flows out of the bag through tubing into your blood vessel. A transfusion can take up to four hours depending on the type of transfusion you are having and how much blood is being given. You will be checked often to watch for a reaction or other problem. Your temperature, pulse and blood pressure will be checked. Tell your nurse right away if you have any signs of a reaction during your transfusion. When the transfusion is complete, the catheter tube is removed and a bandage is placed over the site. You may have some mild bruising or discomfort for a few days at the site. If you are in the hospital, the tube will stay in place. After You Go Home Call the doctor right away if you have any signs of a reaction at home after your transfusion. In rare cases, reactions occur days or weeks after a transfusion. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs: Kidney problems, such as dark urine, more or less urine, or back pain Nausea and vomiting Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes Fever, cough, runny nose or muscle pain Talk to the doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Simple Appendectomy for a Child
Simple Appendectomy for a Child Appendectomy is a surgery to remove the appendix. The appendix is a small pouch that comes off of the large intestine. The appendix sometimes gets blocked and becomes infected and swollen. Signs of an infected appendix include abdominal pain in the lower right side, fever, poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. If the appendix bursts, it can make you very sick. To do this surgery, the doctor will make 3 or 4 small incisions in the abdomen. To Prepare Tell your doctor what medicines your child is taking including prescriptions, over the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbs. If your child has any allergies to medicines, foods, or other things, tell the staff. Your child should have nothing more to drink until after the surgery. During Surgery Your child will wear a hospital gown. An IV (intravenous) is put into a vein for giving medicine and fluids. Your child will be given medicine, so he or she will sleep through the surgery. The medicine will be given through the IV or a face mask. The abdomen is cleaned and sheets are put over your child to keep the surgery area clean. Incisions are made in your child’s abdomen. The appendix is removed. The incisions are then closed with: Gauze and tape dressing Steri-StripsTM, a special tape Dermabond®, a special glue A transparent dressing, called Opsite, or bandages may be placed over the wounds. After Surgery In the Hospital Your child is taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and watched closely until he or she wakes up and is doing well. Your child’s breathing, blood pressure, and pulse are checked often. Your doctor will talk to you about your child’s surgery. Your child will need to get up and walk around after surgery. This helps “wake up” the bowels, and helps with your child’s breathing and blood circulation. Your child may be able to go home the same day as surgery if he or she can walk, take pain medicine by mouth, and drink clear liquids. Medicines given during the surgery will make your child sleepy. Your child should be watched closely for 24 hours after you go home. At Home Your child should get plenty of rest. Give medicines as directed by your doctor. Call your child’s doctor’s office to schedule a follow up visit. Follow the instructions given to you on how to care for your child’s incisions. Steri-StripsTM: The tapes will fall off on their own. Do not remove them unless the doctor says that it is okay. Dermabond®: The glue will loosen from your child’s skin as your child’s wounds heal. Wounds covered in Dermabond® need to be kept dry for one day after surgery. Opsite: Leave this dressing in place. It will fall off on its own in 1 to 2 weeks. Do not remove it unless your child’s doctor says that it is okay. Your child may take a shower. Do not let your child take a tub bath or swim for one week after surgery. Carefully wash the incisions with soap and water and pat dry. It may be hard for your child to have a bowel movement after surgery. Walking and eating high fiber cereals, beans, vegetables, and whole grain breads will help. Drinking a lot of liquids may also help. Your child may need to do deep breathing and coughing exercises to keep from getting a lung infection after surgery. Have your child deep breathe and cough every hour while awake and if he or she wakes up during the night. Your child should not lift objects over 10 pounds for 3 weeks after surgery. Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse about other activity limits. Your child should be able to return to normal activities in about 1 week. Call the doctor if your child has: Incisions that come apart New bleeding from the incisions Pain in the abdomen or shoulder area that does not go away or gets worse Increased redness, bruising, tenderness, or swelling A fever over 101 degrees F under the arm or 102 degrees F rectally Stomach becomes distended (full and firm), or your child acts as if it is painful Vomiting more than one time Trouble having a bowel movement
Using a Medicine Spoon or Dropper
Category Archives: Using a Medicine Spoon or Dropper Using a Medicine Spoon or Dropper Use a medicine spoon or dropper that has markings on it to measure your child’s liquid medicine. The pharmacy may give you a medicine spoon or dropper with your child’s medicine. You can also buy the spoon or dropper at the drug store and use it for measuring liquid medicines. The markings on the spoon or dropper help you measure the correct amount of medicine. Do not use other spoons that you have in your home without markings as they may cause you to give the wrong amount of medicine which is not safe. Using the Spoon Open the medicine bottle. Hold the medicine spoon up and find the marking for the amount of medicine or dose needed. There are 2 different measurements, teaspoon (tsp.) and milliliter (ml.), as shown on the pictures of the spoon. (1 teaspoon = 5 milliliters.) Find the measurement that matches the dose you need. Slowly pour the medicine from the bottle into the spoon to the mark for the amount needed. Set the bottle of medicine down. Place the tip of the spoon in the child’s mouth like a feeding spoon and give the medicine. Be sure the child is sitting up when giving the medicine. Clean the medicine spoon by washing it with warm water and mild soap. Rinse it well with clean water and let it air dry on a clean towel. Using the Dropper You may want to first practice using the dropper with water to get used to how it works. Be careful not to pull the medicine up into the bulb of the dropper. Open the medicine bottle. Pick up the dropper and find the mark on the dropper for the amount or dose of medicine needed. There are 2 different measurements, teaspoon (tsp.) and milliliter (ml.), as shown on the pictures of the dropper. (1 teaspoon = 5 milliliters.) Find the measurement that matches the dose you need. Squeeze the bulb end and put the tip of the dropper into the medicine bottle. Slowly let pressure off of the bulb. You will see the medicine being pulled up into the dropper. When you get the medicine pulled up to the mark of the amount needed, pull the dropper tip out of the liquid and let the pressure off of the bulb. Check that the medicine is to the right mark for the amount needed. Squeeze the bulb to either remove extra medicine or to pull up more medicine if needed. Place the dropper tip into the child’s mouth like a feeding spoon and gently squeeze to release the medicine. Be sure the child is sitting up when giving the medicine. For very young children, it may work best to put the tip in towards their cheek, so they do not push the medicine out with their tongue. Remove the bulb from the dropper and wash both pieces with warm water and mild soap. Rinse the pieces well with clean water and then let the pieces air dry on a clean towel. Medicine Safety Be sure to keep all medicines and the medicine spoon or dropper out of the reach of children for safety. Check the dose amount. It may vary from one child to another based on the child’s weight or age. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how to give any medicine to your child. You need to be sure you know: What medicine and how much you should give your child. How often you should give the medicine. How long you should give the medicine. Some medicine may only be given for a few days. Other medicine may need to be given for years to treat long term problems.
Your Hospital Care after Surgery
Category Archives: Your Hospital Care after Surgery Your Hospital Care after Surgery After your surgery, you will wake up in the Recovery Room. The nurse will check you often and give you pain medicine. When you are awake, you will be taken to your hospital room. First Hours after Surgery Your family will be able to visit you when you are in your room. Your temperature, blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate will be checked often by the nursing staff. You may also have a clip on your finger that checks the amount of oxygen in your blood. Your nurse will check your dressing and the drainage from your incision. If you are not comfortable, let your nurse know. Tell your nurse right away if your incision swells or bleeds, or if you feel pain, numbness or tingling in your leg or arm. You may have oxygen and a heart monitor in place for a few hours. You may have a tube to drain urine from your bladder or other tubes to drain fluids. These tubes are most often removed before you go home. If the tubes are to be left in when you go home, you will be taught how to care for them. An EKG, chest x-ray or blood tests may be done. Your doctor will talk to you about your surgery. IV (Intravenous) Fluids and Antibiotics You will receive fluids through an IV tube into your veins for a short time. The IV will stay in place until you are able to drink fluids well after your surgery. If you are getting medicine through the IV, you might have it in place for a longer time. You may receive antibiotics to prevent you from getting an infection. Incision Your incision will be covered with a dressing. Your doctors and nurses will check your dressing and change it as needed. As the incision begins to heal, the dressing will get smaller. Your incision will be closed with sutures, staples or special tapes called steri-strips. These will be removed in 7 to 14 days on a follow-up visit to your doctor. Your nurse will teach you how to care for your incision. Pain Control We will try to keep you comfortable. The nurse will ask you about your level of pain on a 0 to 10 scale, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain. You can expect to have some pain at your incision site for several days after your surgery. You also may have some soreness in other parts of your body because of the way you were positioned during surgery. Your doctor will order pain medicine for you. Be sure to let your nurse know when you have pain or need your medicine. Ask for pain medicine before your pain gets too bad. If your pain is not managed, your recovery will take longer. It often helps to take pain medicine before activity or before the pain gets too bad. If your pain gets worse or is not controlled with medicine, tell your nurse. Activity Do not get out of bed without help. Staff will tell you when it is safe to get up on your own. You will be helped to sit up on the side of your bed at first. Your activity will be increased to sitting up in a chair, then walking in the room, and then walking in the hallway. Each day the amount of time you are out of bed and the distance you walk should increase. Exercise your lungs by using an incentive spirometer to prevent problems after surgery. Coughing and deep breathing also help keep your lungs clear. Use a pillow or folded blanket across your abdomen or chest to protect any incisions there when you cough. It will let you cough better and help reduce pain. Do these exercises every 1 to 2 hours while you are awake. Blood Clots To help prevent the risk of blood clots: The staff will help you get out of bed and walk. The staff will show you how to do an exercise called ankle pumps to help move the blood in your legs. Do ankle pumps every hour while you are awake. You may have special stockings on your legs. Sometimes plastic wraps that connect to an air pump are used while you are in bed. They squeeze and relax around your legs to help your blood flow. You may be given injections of medicine in the abdomen to thin your blood. Diet and Bowel Activity You may be given ice chips at first. If you do not have nausea, you will be given clear liquids then light foods. It may be a day or two after surgery before you get regular food. Tell the nurse if you have nausea. Surgery and pain medicine may cause constipation. The nurses will ask about your bowel activity. Stool softeners and laxatives may be given. Getting Ready to Go Home Staff will teach you about your care at home and give you written instructions. Family and friends are encouraged to learn about your care so they can help you at home as needed. Someone should stay with you for 24 hours to 2 weeks after surgery based on the type of surgery you had. If you have no one that can stay with you, tell your doctor’s office before your surgery so that you can discuss options for your care after surgery. Some patients may need a short stay in a rehab facility after leaving the hospital.