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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

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Original poster

Are you allowed to accompany relative to chemotherapy?

52 replies

hollyblueivy · 17/05/2025 19:00

I think it differs from place to place so just trying to gauge any kind of norm. Do you know if you are allowed to sit with a relative while they have chemo?

If you are allowed and have first hand experience of this, did most people take someone along every time?

I would really like to support my relative and attend with them for moral support. There is a chance this isn’t allowed at our local place, but they may allow us for the first session.

OP posts:

RentalWoesNotFun · 17/05/2025 19:03

First time yes. Then no they go in alone. Scotland.

Original poster

hollyblueivy · 17/05/2025 19:05

Thanks @RentalWoesNotFunI think this is what the general consensus will be due to lack of space.

Any tips on how to be a good moral support during that first session?

OP posts:

Timeforabiscuit · 17/05/2025 19:08

Are they going on a drip? You can usually wait in a waiting area nextdoor, but not when they are receiving the chemo. I expect it's different from place to place

I would bare in mind that you'll be in a room with a lot of immunocompromised people, so visitors being kept to a minimum is for everyone's comfort.

Me and DH tended to text eachother and I could run and get snacks from the shop if the treatment was delayed, which I passed to the nurse to give him.

MillicentMaybe · 17/05/2025 19:13

I’ve had chemo twice. First time I’d occasionally have company, the second it was a definite no. Seriously, I used to just take a book, but then I do that anywhere I’m likely to have to hang around. Scotland here too.

Timeforabiscuit · 17/05/2025 19:14

You know them best, for DH it was just being there, sometimes a meme, sometimes a joke, mostly just listening and asking questions about equipment or people watching.

They will be nervous and snappy as hell on that drive up, so just be aware that our of character outbursts and maximum critique of driving are all part of the experience.

For future visits grab a break while they are having treatment, there was a nature reserve 2 mins walk away which I pounded away at, this is helpful for your anxieties and will put you in a better position to support.

Deebee90 · 17/05/2025 19:15

My mum came with me for everyone I had. I couldn’t have done it alone no chance. I’m in the northwest uk

BCSurvivor · 17/05/2025 19:15

I went through chemo nearly 7 years ago, so things may have changed,
I'm in Wales and you were allowed to have someone with you, but I chose not to.

SunnyValemin · 17/05/2025 19:16

My partner came with me for every chemo session, he sat next to me while I was on the drip. He usually got offered lunch too after all the patients were fed x

IdiottoGoa · 17/05/2025 19:19

in Sheffield post covid you can’t take anyone in. We would keep our relative busy my messaging / sending memes. It’s boring

SabbatWheel · 17/05/2025 19:23

In Lancashire two yers ago I was able to accompany a relative. After patients were fed we were offered soup. After the first session I used to sit for a while, pop out to the shops nearby and come back for the end.

SureLook · 17/05/2025 19:24

Where my Dad attends in Dublin, Ireland no one else is allowed in unfortunately. It's for the protection of the patients as they are all immunocompromised as pp already mentioned.

MissMarplesGoddaughter · 17/05/2025 19:27

South east 2024 so very recent. I was able to go to every session of drip chemo and immunotherapy. But obviously I was not able to attend the radiotherapy sessions, so I just stayed in the waiting room close by.

SparklyBrickViper · 17/05/2025 19:31

A decade ago with my father yes, one person was allowed to sit with him, but we were expected to make ourselves scarce when lunch was brought in.

This year my mother had to be dropped off and collected. Both were on chemo regimes that were all day, so arriving 7/8am, collecting 5/6pm.

West Wales.

MagellanicPenguin · 17/05/2025 19:33

Not allowed in at mine but was in 2022. 1 person was allowed in waiting area outside if needed. My husband took me to and from it.

Baileysandcream · 17/05/2025 19:38

I was allowed someone with me for all my chemo sessions (Wales). The first one I chose to go alone and arranged for family to collect me afterwards, because I was a bit anxious. I hadn't realised how emotional I would feel walking onto the chemo ward for the first time.

After that I always had someone with me - it was nice to have company and they were able to go out and get drinks.

Every treatment is individual - some people were very sleepy during their sessions. So take a book or something to keep you occupied just in case. Mine were only a few hours long and it was a nice opportunity to have a chat and I really appreciated the support and having someone with me.

EweCee · 17/05/2025 19:43

I could have taken someone with me (and others did) but I didn't like to. I had my sister with me once at her insistence but she found it too traumatic to watch me go through it and it was hard managing her emotions whilst delaing with my own. Mine were all day sessions and I was pretty out of it most of the time, choosing to sleep with earphones in. Couldn't even concentrate enough to read or watch tv. And I wanted to feel some semblance of control so drove myself there and back - the sickness and pain only started a few hours after it finished each time so I could manage the drive. (Then had 7 days of not being able to walk 😒 before coming back up to 'health' before starting the next cycle! But it worked 💪 )

Original poster

hollyblueivy · 17/05/2025 19:50

Timeforabiscuit · 17/05/2025 19:08

Are they going on a drip? You can usually wait in a waiting area nextdoor, but not when they are receiving the chemo. I expect it's different from place to place

I would bare in mind that you'll be in a room with a lot of immunocompromised people, so visitors being kept to a minimum is for everyone's comfort.

Me and DH tended to text eachother and I could run and get snacks from the shop if the treatment was delayed, which I passed to the nurse to give him.

It is through a picc line / think that’s a drip.

OP posts:

samlovesdilys · 17/05/2025 19:54

South west, this year, I had company every session except one, staff were happy for them (mix of DH, Mum and friend) to be there and they got tea/coffee etc. as well. I really appreciated the company - especially on the long days which were 8hrs+.
Interestingly, the one session I was alone the staff kept a much closer eye on me, checking in, chatting etc…

Tiberius12 · 17/05/2025 19:58

I've had chemo at 2 different hospitals in the last year. The first hospital they didn't let you have anyone in, the second you could have someone so my husband came with me.

I found I didn't actually mind being on my own. I took a book and my headphones to listen to music or an audiobook.

MoominUnderWater · 17/05/2025 20:04

My local hospital won’t allow anyone. It’s not just space they say it’s to prevent spread of colds, etc to vulnerable patients which I can understand. Even if I’ve taken snacks to drop off after a longer than expected session I could only tap on the door and hand the snacks over to a nurse, not go in myself to drop them off.

FastMauveQuoter · 17/05/2025 20:12

My lovely mum sat with me through every session back in 2006. She was an absolute rock and I couldn't have done it without her. I am in West Yorkshire. Lost her on 2023, miss her so much xxx

tothelefttotheleft · 17/05/2025 20:13

SureLook · 17/05/2025 19:24

Where my Dad attends in Dublin, Ireland no one else is allowed in unfortunately. It's for the protection of the patients as they are all immunocompromised as pp already mentioned.

How does that work when the staff don't wear mask etc?

I'm in the south east and my dad came to every chemo. I needed her there as the care wasn't great.

SureLook · 17/05/2025 20:20

@tothelefttotheleft as far as I know the staff do wear masks. I think it's different depending on which hospital you attend.

OllyBJolly · 17/05/2025 20:21

I went with my sister to every session but that was pre Covid. She lived quite far from the hospital so I would pick her up to take her (she could have had patient transport but that was a 2.5 hour journey there and same back depending on how many patients they were dropping off). This was Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The staff liked me being there as DSis was quite anxious and I could keep her calm.

JJxxxxx · 17/05/2025 20:24

hollyblueivy · 17/05/2025 19:00

I think it differs from place to place so just trying to gauge any kind of norm. Do you know if you are allowed to sit with a relative while they have chemo?

If you are allowed and have first hand experience of this, did most people take someone along every time?

I would really like to support my relative and attend with them for moral support. There is a chance this isn’t allowed at our local place, but they may allow us for the first session.

My dad had chemo towards the end of last year. Unfortunately they would not allow him to have anyone else with him.
I’m sure your relative will feel reassured with you being close by if unable to sit with him/her. 🤗

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