If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you know receives home infusions, but if you aren’t familiar with home infusions or are just looking into starting – home infusions are basically what they sound like – when you get your infusions done at home 🙂
Depending on the specific situation, a nurse will usually come to the house, start the infusion, and stay until it’s finished. This option is typically available to patients who receive medications regularly or on a scheduled basis, so they don’t have to go to the hospital or infusion clinic every time they need their treatment.
As a patient who initially underwent the process inpatient and at a clinic, being able to stay in your PJs on your couch, with access to your dog, the TV, your family, etc., makes an absolute WORLD of difference in transforming what is often a really painful and stressful experience into something much better.
HOWEVER – there are downsides and one of those is that all of the supplies that will be needed for these infusions – has to be shipped and stored at your house. I know that is a very minor inconvenience and one I would easily put up with a million times over before having to go back to having to leave for my treatments – but when you are running around with an IV in your hand unable to find your $10,000 bottle of treatment or that last needle you swore you had in the shipment box that accidentally got thrown out – it can be VERY stressful and make the infusion experience more overwhelming.
That’s why I wanted to make this post for YOU because I have been there and I found a way to make it so that you don’t have to worry about your supplies (at least about keeping track of, organizing and storing them) anymore!
If you have been following me for a bit, then you probably know my story and how I was diagnosed with a plethora of conditions with my primary one being Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy – which for the last 3 years, every single Friday, I have been getting Intravenous Immunoglobulin infusions (also known as I.V.I.G. – donations of plasma from 20,000 donors).
These infusions have been really hard for me, not going to lie. I cry every single time. They are really mentally, physically, emotionally and in every way you can think of – hard.
That is absolutely not to say I am not grateful and thankful for all the donors and the access that I fought so hard to get – it has been my greatest gift and blessing – BUT – that doesn’t mean that infusion days are not hard. So anything I can do to make them easier – I do!
One of the things that made these days more stressful was managing ALL of the supplies. There are SO many and it can be hard to keep track of them, stay organized and actually know what you have – making the actual infusion day an absolute stressful mess.
For the first 2.5 years, I lived out of the boxes and bags that the supplies came in, never knowing what I really had and always scrambling to find what I needed when it was time for my infusion. My supplies were scattered all over the house, and I would often have to run around looking for forgotten or misplaced items, IV still in my arm. It was a stressful and inefficient process, and I would spend each week worrying about whether I had everything I needed and frantically calling the pharmacy if I suddenly realized I was out of something.
Then, my nurse suggested that I try using a rolling cart to store all my medical supplies in one place. I was skeptical at first, but after looking into it and buying one, I can say without hesitation that this thing changed the game for me!
“The SimpleHouseware Rolling Storage Cart is a mobile storage solution that is not made specifically for but is a great way to keep home infusion supplies organized and easily accessible. The cart features three tiers of storage, with ample space for items such as IV tubing, needles, syringes, alcohol wipes, and medical tape. The cart is equipped with wheels that make it easy to move from room to room, and its compact size allows it to fit easily in small spaces. Made from durable steel, this rolling cart is built to last and can support up to 30 pounds per shelf.”
Having all my supplies in one convenient and easily accessible location has made infusion days SO much smoother, and it’s also alleviated a lot of the stress that came with trying to keep track of what I had and what I needed.
I found that labeling the drawers using a label-maker also made it even easier to know what I had and made it so that whichever nurse came – they could easily get whatever they needed. It seems like such a small thing, but I am telling you, any little thing that can help make infusion days easier is absolutely worth it.
Here are two label-maker options you could use depending on your preference! With the Dymo model, you just type out what you want it to say and hit print. For the Phomemo D30, you can type it out on your phone, connect to bluetooth and print off the label with the printing device.
I suggest making sure you use labels that are waterproof as you will most likely be wiping down the cart to disinfect it prior to infusions and you don’t want to have to worry about getting the labels wet.
I know all these things, like making the labels waterproof, may sound like such small details, but on an already hard infusion day, the only thing you want to have to worry about is taking care of yourself and tending to what you, your body, and your mind need.
I know for me, having all my supplies in one convenient and easily accessible location, organized and stored in one place, has truly allowed me to focus on myself during my infusion days. I don’t have to worry about the supplies, the pharmacy, or running around trying to find things – it’s all there, clean and ready to go!
So – If you’re someone who receives home infusions, I highly recommend looking into getting this cart. I really cannot say enough good things about it and how much of a difference it has made in my infusion experience and I know it can for you too!
What do you think? Do you have a cart for your home infusions? What do you use if not? Is it working for you, or are you thinkng about giving the cart a try? Let me know in the comments below AND share your experience with me on the gram! I would love to see your set up and how you organize it all!
I can’t wait to hear and see how it works for you too!
As always – thanks for being here!
xx I love you, I mean it
DISCLAIMER
Please note that all content on this page, website, and any affiliated resources is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of treatment from a physician. NO information on this page or website should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. Additionally, please be aware that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, from which I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through those links.