5 thoughts on “Words of One Syllable Dept.”

  2. When I was in our local cancer treatment facility a couple of years ago getting a PET scan to diagnose a growth in one of my lungs, I saw a similar sign in the restroom. I don’t remember the wording now — I’ve tried to forgot most of that whole experience — but it was explained to me that the flushing sequence it specified was actually a signal to the attendant waiting outside the door with the wheelchair.

    That doesn’t make much sense in your context though, does it?

  3. No. How it does make sense, though, in the context of both my experience and yours is that the drugs they give us on chemotherapy are classified as poisons. This has the unfortunate result of making all of my bodily fluids classifiable as HAZMAT.

    See the following, from here (emphasis mine):

    12. CHEMOTHERAPY WASTE: Trace chemotherapy waste must be separated from concentrated waste. “TRACE AMOUNT” of chemotherapy waste includes empty containers of chemotherapy (may contain residual solution), used IV tubing, and any contaminated personal protective equipment worn when handling chemotherapy (i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles). Also includes soiled chux pads and diapers of patients receiving chemotherapy from start of therapy to 48 hours after last dose.

    CONCENTRATED chemotherapy waste includes partially used containers of chemotherapy (bags, drug vials and syringes containing visible and pourable material and solutions of chemotherapy). Submit CONCENTRATED HAZARDOUS (CHEMICAL) WASTE pick-up form for its disposal. (See Appendix A3)

    TRACE CHEMOTHERAPY waste is disposed of as medical waste and concentrated chemotherapy waste is disposed of as hazardous (chemical) waste.

  4. Pingback: white pebble » Clarification through Eric’s question

  5. OK, that does make sense. After all, chemo is simply (ha!) a matter of figuring out how to poison you enough to heal you, but not enough to kill you.

Comments are closed.