What to expect during and after treatment
The following outlines what to expect during treatment. We encourage your family and/or friends to attend with you.
Initial consultation:
- Appointment to see a medical oncologist to discuss treatment plan
- Fill out registration forms
- Chemotherapy education with nurses to discuss potential side-effects
First and subsequent treatment appointments:
- Consultation with medical oncologist
- Meet with Clinical Nurse Consultant
- Receive treatment in Day Oncology
Review and follow-up appointments:
- Consultation with medical oncologist
- Referral to survivorship services
- Results of recent blood tests or scans
Frequently asked questions
Depending on the type of treatment you are receiving, you may be eligible to receive your treatment at home. Your nurse or doctor will discuss this with you.
If you are receiving radiation therapy, any hair that is within the radiation treatment field will likely be lost, but none outside of the field, and hair regrowth after radiotherapy is likely. If you are receiving chemotherapy, your degree of hair loss will depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy you are receiving. Not all chemotherapy results in hair loss, and hair typically grows back regardless in the months after chemotherapy finishes. Please speak to your doctor or nurse for more information.
Many people continue to work during treatment. This is your choice, however if you are not feeling up to it you may wish to consider taking some time off. Your treatment team will provide any certificates you may need.
Most people continue to drive during their treatment. If you are not feeling up to it or are very tired, you may wish to have a break from driving or drive less.
In some cases, such as brain cancer or after seizures or brain surgery, the Australian Transport Council states you are not legally allowed to drive for a period of at least six months. If you are not sure if you are fit to drive please discuss this with your oncologist and your relevant local government entity (VicRoads in Victoria).
For full details about costs and where to park at The Alfred, visit our Parking at The Alfred webpage
If you are having treatment around lunchtime you will receive sandwiches and a drink. We also have tea, coffee, sweet and dry biscuits available and you are welcome to bring in your own lunch (please do not bring in food that requires reheating).
As a public health provider, our patients do not incur out-of-pocket costs if they are Medicare cardholders, to read more about payment information, visit our Will I have to pay for any services webpage.
The Victorian Cancer Council offers some financial help for people suffering from cancer in the form of financial planning, small one-off grants for people experiencing economic hardship as a result of their treatment, and workplace and small business advice. More information is available at the Victorian Cancer Council.
