[MyelomaSucks]

Is it possible to receive infusions at home?

by MyelomaSucks on Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:11 pm

Hi,

My father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a few years back and the road has been hard for him. Things don't seem to be letting up lately and he's now plagued with multiple compression fractures of his vertebrae as well as a recent neck compression fracture at his C1 vertebrae. I was writing because having to go to the doctor's office multiple times per week to receive infusions (Carfilzomib, zoledronic acid, blood transfusions) is too much with his recent decline in health. He's in pain and out of energy, and the visits to the hospital aren't doing him any favors in either department, and they're putting him at risk for communal diseases since he is immunocompromised.

My question is: are there any services that will administer the infusions (at least the zoledronic acid and carfilzomib) at home? I know there are services like that in the UK, but we live in the US and I'm unsure of the rules and regulations regarding home-care. If anyone could point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
Noah

[Christa's Mom]

Re: Is it possible to receive infusions at home?

by Christa's Mom on Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:16 pm

I'm so sorry that your dad is having so much trouble. See if the hospital has a visiting nurse service, or contact your local Visiting Nurse Association. They were quite helpful with us when EJ was recovering from his colon surgery.

Good Luck!

Carolyn

[Lin516]

Re: Is it possible to receive infusions at home?

by Lin516 on Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:23 am

The answer to you question is yes; but only if the physician will sign off on it. There must be a qualified infusion nurse available and I'm sure there is one within traveling range. Look for specialty pharmacies providing chemotherapeutics on the internet or yellow pages. Sometimes the physician wants to keep the patient coming to their infusion suite where lab results can be obtained immediately and they can "see" the patient. I can see both sides; but maybe they can trade off and have the home infusion nurse come in like every other infusion to save the stress on your father.

[John Fabian]

Re: Is it possible to receive infusions at home?

by John Fabian on Fri Nov 22, 2013 12:20 pm

You can receive them if, as stated before, it's okay with your oncologist, insurance covers it and if your father has a catheter in place. And even then it's not exactly a walk in the park as that it's quite a process. And then if you have extra or need to dispose of any no one will take them off your hands for legal reasons. And they recommend not just throwing it in the garbage. So it can be done but it's a quite a big to do.