Need Help

Christinalynn

I am putting together a small backpack for my mother to take with her to her chemo appointments and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Right now I have word seaches, a couple of inspirtational books, chap stick, lotion, and a notebook. Also I plan on putting a small photo of her and her grandchildern in there.

Thanks

Christina

idaho

crackers or a snack?  maybe some juice boxes?  Just a thought.  What a sweetie you are!  Tami

otter

Christina, there are some threads on another forum that you might find useful.  Look for the forum, "Chemotherapy - Before, During and After".  The threads are "Tips for Getting Through Chemotherapy" and "More tips...".  The threads are pinned to the top of the list so they're easy to find.  Suggestions in the threads were compiled over the past year or more by BCO members who went through chemo.

otter

nelia48

Water!!!!  A bottle or two is good.  And yes, the snacks are a great help.  I remember taking a bag a grapes with me and always ate them all.  I tried to read, but just couldn't concentrate at all.  Usually, someone was always talking to me.  Great idea to have a back pack!   Cora

shiny

Hi Christina,

it depends on how she feels during the treatment.

I used to feel too tired for reading books, but enjoyed flicking through mags or chatting to my nurse (as I had manual injections).

A fresh, light, non alcohol scent mist is nice to feel fresh or cool off if the room gets hot. Also, I always liked refreshing antibacterial wipes to clean hands and freshen up.

A plastic bottle of still lemonade to sip from when you are stuck in that chair can be nice, as the "drinks ladies" don't always show up when you'd like.

Some people like an eye mask to rest better and to indicate to others that they would prefer to just rest as opposed to chat with neighbours.

I also loved my IPOD shuffle, with my favorite music on it. What ever your mom likes to listen to can easily get downloaded onto an ipod for her use. It sure makes the time go faster.

Good luck to her. I am sure she will do fine with a thoughtful daughter like you to support her.

Take care, Shiny

angelsaboveus

Hi there,

Drinking water is really import. when getting chemo so bottled water or a refillable water bottle, small snacks, small hand sanitizer,  maybe a walkman if she likes music. I also took books but found myself visiting more than reading.

I had a binder that i took with me every session.....in it I had any drug info, handouts they gave me, I would ask for copies of all my tests and reports, copies of bloodwork, 

Also between each chemo session i would log daily the different symptons  if any like nausea on day 2 or elevated temp on day 5, that way when the next chemo was done i could compare and sort of know what to expect . Also my onc before giving chemo would ask if anything came up and this way i had it all in front of me without trying to remember. (which I can't do on a good day)

I found the time went quicker than I thought it would, i spent more time waiting for the onc to come by or waiting for the drugs to be made up !

Good luck to your mom, she is lucky to have you helping out. !

navygirl

Great idea! Mints/hard candy/gum...I used it every week to help with the taste in my mouth from chemo...and WATER...drinking before, during and after helps so much!

Best wishes...what a great idea...

Christinalynn

thank you so much for all your help. I just printed the list off the chemo thread and add your things to it. Thanks again

Beach

I found that bringing ice chips was helpful while undergoing chemo.......helps with the hydration and actually seems to help prevent mouth sores from forming.  Just had my first round of chemo (FEC) this past Tuesday, and no sign of them forming so far.  Best of luck to everybody!!!!!

GramE

Take your own kleenex. the hospital kind is like sand paper.   Some individually wrapped "butt wipes" are also handy to have.   If she has a port, she might like to have  pillow to pad the chest from the seat belt for the ride home.   That or a rolled up beach towel.    

If she has a favorite shawl, she might like it better than the "blankets" they have ... sometimes !!!   Have a meal ready to eat or nuke for that evening.   Even a take out on the way home so she has the easiest possible meal available.  

My ipod was my best companion.  it helped drown the other noises and often lulled me to sleep.    

nelia48

One thing that I thought of after I posted was something very personal, but very important for me.  During the chemo time, I was drinking a lot, and they are pumping you full of fluids, too.  By the time I got to treatment #3, I was having a hard time holding my urine and getting to the bathroom dragging that pole with the IV drips, etc.  I learned very quickly to have some pads with me, and one already in place in my pants.  I don't know why, but I had a VERY hard time holding it during my chemo treatments.  Cora

Christinalynn

Thank you all. Mom starts her chemo Thursday. I have arranged for babysitters and I am able to go with her. Thank you so much for all your help. I let everyone know how she does Thursday evening.

Christina