Cancer Treatment at the Holden Center

By Paul D. Bowker
Posted 3/19/21

The first day of cancer treatment is a stress machine.

What is about to happen to me?

How long will this take?

What are all these pills for?

Where is my daughter?

And what are we going …

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Cancer Treatment at the Holden Center

Posted

The first day of cancer treatment is a stress machine.

What is about to happen to me?

How long will this take?

What are all these pills for?

Where is my daughter?

And what are we going to do about this 10-inch snowstorm happening outside?

At the University of Iowa’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, things happen fast. Within days of meeting my cancer doctor for the first time, I was in the infusion center for my first treatment of lymphoma cancer. My doctor had educated me on lymphoma itself, what it was and how it can be treated. He took me day-by-day through each 21-day treatment cycle and how I would be feeling for each one of those days.

The education relaxed me. It made me understand.

I need to know the science.

I need to know the names of the chemotherapy drugs and what they do.

Walk into the infusion suite at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, and one quickly realizes you haven’t just wandered into some medical office down the street. A recent expansion increased the number of patient suites to 59. Chances are, you’ll have a great window view of Kinnick Stadium, just like the adjacent children’s hospital where a great Iowa football tradition has evolved: At the end of the first quarter of each home game, Iowa’s players and fans turn away from the field and wave at the children who are watching from the windows of the hospital.

The view of Kinnick relaxes your nerves. Even in the middle of a January snowstorm.

Once you are brought to an infusion suite, the nurse’s first question is: “Would you like something to drink?”

Yes, please. Apple juice.

“Would you like headphones for the TV?

Awesome. Thank you.

From the beginning of the afternoon to early evening, the nurses explain everything that they’re doing. Knowledge is wisdom. We talked about the medicine. We talked about the snow. We talked about life.

The first day is a long one. Nearly 12 hours for me, including a blood draw, a doctor’s visit, a spinal tap and then the infusion itself.

But the stress quickly floated away.

Sit back and watch TV, or have a conversation.

Eating is OK.

Not so bad, I thought to myself. I can do this. I will do this.

Until this day in late January, I had never been in a cancer center, not as a patient and not as a visitor. It doesn’t take long to figure out that folks are coming from all over to receive treatment at the University of Iowa. Not just around the state of Iowa, but outside the state of Iowa. Even in a snowstorm.

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only designated comprehensive cancer center in Iowa by the National Cancer Institute. The chemotherapies and immunotherapies delivered in the infusion suite treat every kind of cancer.

The infusion suite, dedicated for outpatient care, is located on the fourth floor of the Pomerantz Family Pavilion, and is part of a large campus of buildings at UI Hospitals & Clinics. But there is a world that extends beyond the infusion suite. For nearly a week in early March, I was in the hospital for inpatient care as I was administered an infusion of methotexrate and then monitored for four days by an excellent nursing staff.

Clearly, I have driven right past this campus on the way to covering a Big Ten football game in previous years at Kinnick Stadium. I didn’t pay attention back then.

I do pay attention now.

Three months to go.