Hello Judy,
As everyone has already said, welcome to the site, but wish the circumstances were different! I'm Cynthia's husband and here are my thoughts on chemotherapy treatments:
> When Cynthia was being treated at MA General in Boston, we would travel down the night before chemotherapy and stay in a hotel at the edge of the MGH campus.
> During Cynthia's chemotherapy, I would check out of the hotel, pack the car, and wait for her to finish her treatment.
> Then we'd make the almost three hour trip back to our home in the western part of the state; actually MA is a commonwealth like VA.
> A great majority of chemotherapy is done on an outpatient basis, unless there is a medical need for a hospital stay.
> Cynthia's schedule was two weeks of chemotherapy and then one week without treatment. On the "off" weeks, we would make a day trip for lab tests and an appointment with the oncologist's nurse practitioner.
> We also have spoiled pets, but if you have a schedule for treatment, just make boarding arrangements well in advance. You can always cancel a reservation if your schedule needs to be revised.
I agree with Pat, don't put the cart before the horse. Lodging, transportation, and pet care can be planned and handled. Cynthia just reminded me that many larger facilities have individuals that can help with lodging arrangements. Some lodging facilities will also allow the pets to stay with their families.
But again, first things first, get another opinion, see if an oncologist close to your home will join the "team", and if not, consider seeking treatment at a larger facility.
One more thing to consider, if you like on-line real-time "chats", we have a regular one scheduled every Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. (ET). It's a good opportunity to ask questions of other survivors and caregivers with immediate responses.
Please keep us posted on your husband's progress!
Ed K.