Comfort during your infusion therapy
Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can be given by an infusion. Infusion therapy gives medicine through an intravenous (IV) line in your hand, arm or chest area. When you have treatment at one of our infusion centers, we’ll help you manage the stress, anxiety or nausea that can come from treatment with our comfort menu offerings. The following comfort items are available by request.
During your treatment
The infusion centers offer a variety of beverages, snacks and comfort items for you during your treatment.
Beverages
- Specialty coffee
- Ginger ale: regular & diet
- Hot chocolate
- Hot tea: black, chamomile, lemon, orange
- Juice: apple, cranberry, grape, orange
- Flavored nutritional supplement shakes
Snacks and sweets
- Chips
- Cookies
- Crackers
- Ginger lozenges for soothing nausea
- Granola bars
- Hard candy: variety of flavors
You may also bring food from home. However, please keep strong smelling foods out of the infusion center. Your loved one and other patients may develop a heightened sensitivity to smell. Also, please do not bring homemade gifts—or goodies—to share.
Comfort items
We have the following items available:
- Aromatherapy
- Extra pillows
- Sea Bands® for nausea
- Warm blankets
- Warm pack or ice pack
You are also welcome to bring in your own items: a cozy blanket, personal pillow, comfortable slippers.
Activities
We carry these items in the centers:
- Coloring books and markers
- Games
- Origami kits
- Playing cards
- Crosswords
Feel free to also bring anything you like from home to pass the time.
Integrative therapy services
If you are interested in any of the following integrative therapy services, please ask your nurse. Prices vary by insurance.
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Aromatherapy
- Breathing techniques
- Guided relaxation and imagery
- Light massage
*For patients receiving treatments lasting more than three hours, hot meals are available from our kitchen. Meals for guests may be ordered for a small fee; ask your nurse for a menu.
Allina Health is here to help
Talk to a member of your care team to learn more about these services.
Counseling services
Oncology counseling services provide therapy sessions to help you cope with the many different feelings and the overall stress you may experience because of your diagnosis and treatment.
Penny George Institute for Health and Healing®
At the Penny George Institute you will find programs and services, like acupuncture that are grounded in a holistic approach.
Learn more about the Penny Georgy® Institute for Health and Healing
Nutrition services
A dietitian can provide nutrition suggestions to help you through treatment and beyond.
Learn more about nutrition services by talking to your cancer care provider.
Genetic counseling
Genetic counseling can educate you about cancers that run in families (known as inherited or genetic cancer).
Simple Talk for Tough Times
‘Simple Talk’ provides resources and guidance around communication with children about your cancer diagnosis and offers ways to support them throughout the process.
Social work services
A resource to help you understand and adjust to your diagnosis, find resources for financial and insurance issues, and connect you to community resources.
Recommended meditation and guided imagery apps for relaxation
An app for every patient
Search for each app by name on your mobile device's app store or learn more about them on your desktop using the link below.
Other suggested resources
American Cancer Society
24/7 online help information, emotional support, a ride to chemo, or a place to stay when treatment is far away.
Angel Foundation
Emergency financial assistance, tools to parent through cancer, kid-friendly activities to provide education, emotional support, and social experiences for Minnesota families.
Camp Kesem
Camp Kesem at the University of Minnesota serves children who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor.
Cancer legal care
Legal resources for Minnesota cancer patients or survivors, help to resolve complex legal issues related to your health care.
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Physical and occupational therapists work with you to develop skills and tools that explore how to thrive while managing the physical effects of cancer treatment.
Firefly Sisterhood
Connect one-to-one with women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and meet inspirational survivors.
Gilda’s Club
Connect one-to-one with women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and meet inspirational survivors.
Open Arms of Minnesota
Nutritious meal delivery to people with life-threatening illnesses in the Twin Cities.
Pathways
A warm and welcoming space with social, emotional, psychological support for everyone currently impacted by cancer.
The Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Free overnight lodging, support and resources for cancer patients and their caregivers who live more than 30 miles from their cancer treatment location.
Learn more about The Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge