Your doctor has prescribed infusion treatments for your illness. If you’re a little nervous, that’s understandable. Navigating your first infusion can be intimidating, but everyone at 12Stone Infusion is here to make the first time a walk in the park!

For the sake of brevity, these tips apply whether you’re having your infusions administered at home or are coming to one of our comfortable centers. Your physician has likely discussed infusion therapy with you, but here are a few reminders.

Gather Your Information

Don’t wait until the last minute to find important documents. Assemble everything you’ll need and put it in a folder or notebook. That way, you won’t be scrambling to find forms before treatment. The documents you will need include,

• Insurance card and form of identification
• Medical history and list of other medications
• Forms required by the infusion center. It’s very likely that there will be forms on the infusion center website that you will need to complete before your appointment. (If you’re visiting us, you’ll find the forms online in the upper right corner in the green box. Complete the form(s) required by the type of infusion medication.) If there aren’t any, call and ask for them. Don’t wait until you’re at your appointment to complete them, especially if you’re a little nervous.

Arrange for Transportation

If you’re visiting a TwelveStone Infusion Center for the first time, we recommend arranging for transportation. Why? You may have side effects like weakness, sleepiness or feeling dizzy. Until you know for certain, have a way of getting home other than driving yourself. Many insurance plans cover the cost of a rideshare service (like Uber or Lyft). Check your plan.

Gather Your Comfort Items

12Stone will do whatever is possible to make you feel comfortable. We have reclining chairs, pillows, blankets, TV, and WiFi. We also provide beverages to keep you hydrated during your treatment. However, if a personal item, such as a stuffed animal, your bible, your favorite music or a crossword puzzle will help relax you, we completely understand, so bring it.

Day of Treatment

Your physician may have given you specific instructions to follow before your infusion, such as medications you may take, what to eat, or if special blood work is needed and has been ordered. Follow those instructions. And we cannot recommend this enough: Stay hydrated! Drinking ample non-caffeinated beverages will “plump” your veins, making that needle stick a little more pleasant. And of course, wear comfy clothing.

At Your Treatment

You’ll submit your paperwork, possible have some bloodwork done, and you’ll settle in for your treatment. At any time, feel free to ask questions. Our clinicians welcome your questions, so ask us anything! And if something doesn’t feel quite right, speak up. Communication will help ensure a smooth experience.

After Your Infusion

Your first infusion is complete! Before you go, make sure you’re feeling steady on your feet and ask any follow-up questions you may have. It’s likely your healthcare provider will follow-up with you after your first infusion.

The Next Time Now you know what to expect and can adjust your next visit accordingly. Perhaps you feel that you can drive home without a problem. Maybe bring your laptop and get a little work done. Or maybe you’d like to have a friend with you the next time. It doesn’t matter, we just want you to have the best experience possible every time you visit.