Day Oncology Unit (Specialist Medical Centre adjacent to Hospital)
6-8 Sydney Street
GATESHEAD. NSW 2290
Phone: (02) 4947 5757
Fax: (02) 4947 5761
Introduction
The Day Oncology Unit at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital aims to provide a comfortable and supportive environment for you and your carers. We aim at all times to provide quality care with sensitivity and understanding to assist you throughout your treatment.
Hour of Operation
Lake Macquarie Day Oncology Unit hours of operation will be Monday to Friday 8-00 – 5-00pm.
Staff
The staff of the Day Oncology Unit are available to assist you with any concerns you may have.
Car Parking
For you convenience free car parking is available at the rear of the Specialist Medical Centre or adjacent to this in the hospital car park.
Treatment
Your treatment schedule will depend on the type of chemotherapy protocol prescribed by your Medical Oncologist. You may well receive different types of treatment to other people in the clinic. Your treatment will be specific for your type of cancer. The length of your chemotherapy treatment depends on your specific regime, your chemotherapy nurse will inform you of the length of treatment before it commences. Chemotherapy is given in cycles; the number of treatments within each cycle will vary according to your chemotherapy protocol. Generally each cycle is a 3- 4 week period, with treatments weekly for 1, 2, or 3 weeks out of 4, or daily for 5 days every 28 days. Your chemotherapy nurse will provide you with a copy of your chemotherapy protocol and explain your treatment schedule to you.
Consultations
Prior to each chemotherapy treatment you will need to see your Oncologist one week before the treatment is due. You will need to ensure that you have made your next appointment to see your Oncologist, before you leave his surgery.
Blood Tests
Before chemotherapy can commence, the nurse must see a recent blood count. Ideally, this is to be performed the day before your chemotherapy. There is a pathology department located next door to the chemotherapy unit.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to treat cancer.
Chemotherapy can be used to:
- Cure cancer
- Keep cancer from spreading
- Slow a cancers growth
- To kill cancer cells that may have spread to other areas of the body
- To relieve symptoms caused by cancer
Most people are able to go about their normal activities. If you are still working, please advise the chemotherapy day unit so that we can attempt to arrange your appointment to suit your needs. This may not be always possible during busy times.
Please ask you chemotherapy nurse any questions that you may have about your treatment and its effects, or any problems that you are having during this time.