Local Woman’s Experience with the Infusion Center

This is the second of a two-part series.

Getting a breast cancer diagnosis is shocking and upsetting, but Christine N. is grateful for her treatment at the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, especially at the infusion center.

“I feel so lucky that I got treated there,” says the 50-year-old mother of two college students. “It was close to home with amazing doctors and nurses. I felt so fortunate. I believe it’s part of the reason why I did so well.”

The Fremont resident is finishing the last of her treatments — radiation and immunotherapy — following a very rigorous chemotherapy regimen at the infusion center, and surgery at Washington Health Hospital in mid-December.

Her cancer journey began last May, when, on an annual mammogram at the Washington Health Women’s Center, doctors found a suspicious lump and requested further testing. A biopsy determined it was an aggressive form of stage 2 cancer and a 1-inch tumor.

Highest Standards of Care

Christine’s treatment plan included 16 weeks of chemotherapy to first shrink the tumor. Her oncologist, Matthew Tenold, MD, with the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, oversaw her treatment, which consisted of weekly three-hour infusions.

Christine didn’t know what to expect when making her first appointment. “I was scared. I feared that if the cancer didn’t kill me, one of the side effects would end up getting me,” she recalls. “The chemo makes you very susceptible to infections, and I was afraid that a side effect would take me out.” But Christine happily reported never having nausea and getting through the chemotherapy well.

She isolated at home, wore a mask when going out, and focused on getting well. The nurses and staff at the infusion center were very supportive. Christine recalls, “I told them of my fears. They wanted me to tell them everything. They reassured me that they were here for me and I was in good hands, getting the best care.” The staff instructed her to alert them to any changes, especially how she felt from week to week.

Christine appreciated being able to get treatment in a building separate from the hospital. “It was very nice to not have to go to the hospital. Hospitals can be scary and depressing. The infusion center is in the same building with the women’s center, and I’m familiar with that.”

Washington Health’s off-site facility is located at Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave., making it convenient for patients and offering a pleasant environment and experience.

Patient-Centered Experience

Bogdan Eftimie, MD, medical director of the UCSF – Washington Cancer Center, says that the infusion center is patient centered. “We try to make the experience as peaceful and pleasant as we can. Our team tells patients that we recognize this is a very scary situation, but we follow standard pathways of care and are focused on patient safety. Patients can rest assured that they’re getting excellence in care from a team certified in infusion therapy.”

“I felt especially loved and well cared for,” Christine explains. “Everyone in the oncology clinics and infusion center knows my name. It was a very intimate and personal experience.”

When first diagnosed, she considered going to Stanford for her care, but quickly realized that Washington Health was in partnership with UCSF, offering university-level care, close to home.

In addition, Christine adds that the infusion center team always welcomed her husband and children, who accompanied her to treatments and were supportive during three-hour infusions. Now, her immunotherapy treatments are a lot shorter, about 90 minutes.

She is also happy to share that her chemotherapy was successful. Surgeon William Dugoni, MD, told her when he removed the tumor there were no signs of cancer. “I credit the love and care I got at the infusion center and from my entire oncology team. It made all the difference in the world in my recovery.”

For more information on the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, visit WashingtonHealth.com/Cancer. To view the video of Dr. Eftimie’s presentation, “What to Expect at the Infusion Center,” visit YouTube.com/@Washington_Health