Precautions, alongside your oncology care

Six things we ask before the first visit and before each one after it, and what we do about each.

Your treatment dates
Chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and surgery all change what makes sense on a given day. We place visits between them.
- We ask before every visit
- We move a visit when your plan changes
Your recent blood counts
Low blood counts change how gently we need to work. We ask for the latest numbers from you or your oncology team.
- We may wait a few days
- We may use fewer needles, or none
Lymph nodes removed
After lymph node surgery or radiation, we place no needles in an arm or leg on that side, and we ask you about any swelling.
- We choose points elsewhere
- Tell us about new swelling
A port, a line or a pump
We keep needles well clear of anything implanted or attached, and we ask where it sits.
- We work on the other side
- We never press on a port
Blood thinners and bleeding
Tell us what you take and what you have been told about bleeding. A small bruise can show up at a needle site.
- Finer needles, and fewer of them
- Needle-free care on a bad day
A fever or feeling unwell
Call your oncology team first, then tell us. We would rather move the visit than carry on.
- No visit with a fever
- A call to us is never a bother

Call your oncology team the same day if

You have a fever
Or chills, or you feel suddenly unwell after a visit.
A needle site is red, hot or swollen
Or something is bleeding that does not stop.
An arm or leg swells suddenly
Particularly on the side where lymph nodes were removed.

For chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or confusion, call 911. Do not wait to reach us.

Call, or send a note. We would rather answer before your first visit than at it.