Does anyone know where (on the internet) I can find a video that shows chemo therapy being administered?

Question

I would like to see how it is given through a port.

Answer 1

I couldn't find any videos with chemo given thrugh a port, but here's one through IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw1eikm6PC8
(the nurse not even once checked for blood return when pushing doxorubicin - that's against the drug administration protocol!)
Firstly, the skin over the port is disinfected and port is accessed with a special non-coring needle (regular needle would leave a hole in the port causing it to leak blood and medications). Usually blood is drawn first to make sure the blood counts are not too low to give chemo. The tubing attached to the needle is connected to the tubing of the primary fluid bag (primary fluid is usually normal saline - "salt water" but some drugs such as oxaliplatin and irinotecan are only compatible with dextrose - "sugar water") and everything else is plugged into the tubing of the primary bag - first usually "premeds" i.e. drugs to prevent nausea and reactions to chemo; then chemo drugs themselves. For some chemo regimens needle is left in the port (covered with a large dressing) and patient goes home with a small pump which continues to deliver the drug for the next 24-48 hours.

Answer 2

I couldn't find a video. Most chemotherapy comes in an IV bag and looks just like any other bag of IV fluid except it will have a label identifying it as whatever kind of chemo it is and it will probably arrive in a thick, zip lock bag with a warning label identifying it as hazardous waste. The tubing is "primed" with plain Normal Saline first, then the chemo bag is spiked.. that keeps the chemo from dripping all over the place while it is being connected to the little piece of tubing coming out of the port.
It's more complicated to describe than I thought. Plus, some chemotherapy is extremely irritating to the tissues and can't be hung like that. It needs to be given "push" so that the nurse can draw back after every few millimeters of fluid to check for a blood return, ensuring that the port is still in the right place.
I just read your other question about your mom. You could go with her. They would probably let you watch. Just stay quiet while they're checking it and attaching it. The nurses have to pay attention to what they are doing.

Answer 3

I give chemotherapy thru Bard ports, picc lines, peripheral Iv's and assist with epidural chemotherapy which can only be given by a physician.
Its really not that exciting, You simply stick the needle in and turn on the pump, or you put your gloves on and start the show.

Answer 4

The American Cancer Society website may have what you're looking for in the way of videos. But it will be basically the same with VADs, whether an angiocath, PICC, non-tunneled or tunneled or Port-a-cath. Connect the tubing to the port.

Answer 5

You may want to get in contact with an oncology nurse since she is usually the one who keeps track of the oncologist's patients and helps the patient going through the chemotherapy process. She/he might have access to a video that they may use to educate patients on what to expect during chemo.