The Chemo Chronicle

Sorry for the delay. I must have been abducted by aliens.
So, where was I? Oh, chemotherapy. THIS is something.

Our recent safety protocol lessons (Remember I'm trying to reform myself with the needles? And did you see that gross arm exposed to radiation?) also included the clothing required while performing certain tasks like taking an X-ray or giving a dog a medicated bath. There are special gloves, gowns, masks, etc. for a variety of tasks, the overall goal obviously being protection from something you don't want.

Fast forward. There are some pets who come into the hospital once a week for chemotherapy treatment. (I think they are all or mostly dogs, but I'm not sure.) The chemo chemicals are delivered via IV catheter in a vein.  It sounds relatively benign until you learn that the assistant who sits with the pet that is receiving treatment (to help keep it calm) is suited up like an extra in the movie "Outbreak".
 
You need:

• a chemotherapy gown (which is impermeable)
• chemotherapy gloves (thick)
• a mask (just in case)
• goggles (just in case)

and have on hand absorbent pads for all of the chemo agents, the IV catheter, etc.

This is just to SIT with the patient.

After use EVERYTHING goes into special yellow chemotherapy buckets except for the goggles (which are cleaned with alcohol). Chemotherapy waste is biohazard waste.

Patients also have 2 chemo bags; 1 for garbage, 1 for dirty towels.
Uneaten food= chemo waste. If the pet messes on the blanket it's laying on= chemo waste. Any discharge from the pet= chemo waste. All of this is segregated from everything else at the hospital and picked up by a biohazard company. Why?

Because the chemotherapy agents cause cancer if you are exposed. 

So, knock me over with a feather.