Lynchburg Reporter

Centra Specialty Hospital issued the following announcement on Oct. 26

Hannah Kreuziger is a chemo infusion nurse with Centra Pearson Cancer Center. She recently answered some of our questions about the cancer care that she provides and how it has impacted her.

What is your role here and how long have you been with Centra?

I’m a chemo infusion nurse at Pearson Cancer Center. I’ve been with Centra for five years now, and at PCC for almost four years.

What made you want to do the job you do now?

To be completely honest with you, the real reason I wanted to work at PCC originally was for the schedule. I had a new baby at the time and working 12 hours and weekends was hard as a new mom. I knew that PCC would have M-F 8-5 hours and weekends off. I wasn't sure if I would like it here or not but I was willing to try for the sake of my schedule. Little did I know, this would be my calling. I am so glad I took the leap. I started here and I felt like I was making a difference in people's lives — helping and loving patients that were experiencing the scariest times of their life. I never would have thought that oncology would be my niche but I was very surprised to find out this is where I belong and this is what I love.

What type of cancer patients do you help treat?

I work with all oncology and hematology patients. We see a lot of breast cancer, colon cancer, multiple myeloma, lymphomas and leukemias. We also work with hematologic disorders like iron deficiency anemia, polycythemia, hemochromatosis, MDS and others. We do chemo infusions, chemo injections, blood transfusions and iron infusions.

How would you explain the chemo infusion process to someone who has never experienced it?

Chemo infusions can be given via peripheral IV infusion or by a port in your chest. When a patient arrives at the infusion area, we get vital signs, and start IV or cannulate the port. We draw blood from the IV or port and wait for a complete blood count to be checked prior to starting any chemotherapy. While the blood is running in our in-house lab, the doctor or nurse practitioner will come to see the patient and discuss any new test results, the disease process and potential side effects of chemo with the patient. Patients will be educated by our chemo-counseling RN about the chemo drugs they will receive, the possible side effects, the adverse effects, the nausea meds that we prescribe and how to take them, and when to call our office for help. Once the MD or NP gives the "all clear", the chemo RN orders the drugs in the computer (they are weight-based usually) and gives the dosages to the pharmacy to mix the drugs. Most chemo regimens start off by giving steroid and nausea meds intravenously to help lessen any reaction or side effects from the chemo. Once the pre-medications are given, the chemo infusion is started. Most chemo drugs have a low incidence of an allergic reaction, but there are a few that some patients are a little more likely to react to. The RN will sit and monitor these patients getting the drugs that are more likely to have reactions. Once the chemo infusion is finished (some chemo infuses over 10 minutes, and some take several hours to infuse, just depends on the kind) the nurse will get a set of discharge vitals and as long as the patient feels ok, the patient can have the port decannulated or IV taken out and can be discharged.

You help specialize in “cold capping”—what is that and how does it help the patient?

Cold capping can be used in solid tumor cancers. Usually, it is used by women with breast cancer but could be used in other cancers as well. The cold cap is fitted to the patient’s head and worn during chemo and for 1-2 hours after chemo as well. The goal of the cold capping is to restrict the blood vessels in the scalp area to keep less chemo from getting to these areas. The patient will still lose a good amount of hair while using the cold cap but it does reduce hair loss. I have done this process on several patients and the most successful patient still lost about 30-35% of her hair. Some lose more than others and a lot of times depends on the toxicity of the chemo, as to how good the cold cap actually works.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do?

I love to hear the success stories. The patients that kick cancer's butt and get to go on and live a good life. That's what keeps me going. It can be sad at times when patients succumb to this awful disease but we also have patients that beat cancer. The best feeling is when a patient finishes chemo and goes out and rings the bell to symbolize the end of chemo and the beginning of a new chapter of life: cancer free!

What does the post-chemo process look like for patients?

Post chemo can be hard for patients — trying to get back to a normal life after committing so much time to fight this disease. Sometimes patients can have a hard time finding their identity outside of the title "cancer patient." Also, neuropathy can be an ongoing problem for patients post-chemo. There is a Centra program called “Renew” for patients who need physical therapy and occupational therapy to help get back to functioning with this new numb/tingly pain they may have in their hands and feet. We also have a nurse practioner who specializes in "survivorship"— it’s kind of like counseling for patients who have finished chemo and seems to be very helpful to them from what I have seen.

What is one or two things that you’d want your patients to know to encourage them?

I want my patients to know that "I get it!" I get that it’s scary. I get that it’s not fun. I get that it’s not fair. I get that it’s hard. I get that that they are tired/weak. I get it and my heart aches for them. I wish no one had to go through this. But I will be here for them every step of the way.

Original source can be found here.