What do you pack for Chemo?

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BShoemaker
BShoemaker Member Posts: 78
edited November 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I'm starting chemo first thing tomorrow morning.  Looking for suggestions on what you pack to take with you?  Also what do you wear?

Thanks!

Bettina

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  • Alo123
    Alo123 Member Posts: 308
    edited June 2009

    Water....lots of water!!! Hard candies are nice too.  Wear comfy clothes in case you want to sleep.  You might get cold so bring a sweat shirt......socks so you can take you shoes off.  Good luck!

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  • smithlme
    smithlme Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2009

    I had a "chemo bag" that had a soft, warm blanket, socks, books, word search book, water, snacks, unscented hand lotion and chap stick. Make sure you have nothing with scent since some people are very sensitive to smells during chemo. Best of luck tomorrow...

    Linda

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  • BShoemaker
    BShoemaker Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2009

    Thanks ladies!  Appreciate the feedback!  Very helpful!

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    at first i had everything under the sun, but as i got used to chemo, i ended up with:

    notebook to write down what exactly i was being given and how much and also which nurse i had that session; iPod; book; warm blanket;  96oz water (i peed a lot during chemo, but you really need to be very hydrated); eyeshades for sleeping under those horrible fluorescent lights; unscented hand lotion (anything scented made me really nauseated during chemo); chapstick; lifesaver candies; peanut butter sandwich and banana for lunch; my camera.

    i always wore pants that just had elastic around the waist because i peed so much during chemo and could only use one hand (i didn't have a port; i had chemo in the veins of my left hand) and a comfy shirt, comfy socks.  

    best of luck!

    when i finished chemo on may 1st, i started this thread about what we wish we had known about chemo before we started. hope it helps you!

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/733975?page=2#idx_32 

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  • ShondaE
    ShondaE Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2009

    I always had a soft blanket to cover up with and my phone that is loaded with music and ear phones..i slept thru most of my treatments...I always wore a skirt and loose fitting shirt expecially around the chest area so my port could be accessed. 

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Hi Bettina,

    I had:

    soft blanket

    fluffy socks with those "skid" things on the bottom

    a dvd

    my kindle,magazines

    snacks (but they had snacks there too)

    bottled water

    hard candies to suck on

    paper/pen to jot down questions/thoughts/etc.

    lidocaine/emla to make the port "stab" painless

    wear comfy clothes!!!  i always slept alot during chemo!

    best of luck!
    Lisa

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  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited June 2009

    Depending on which chemo you are on, your onc's procedures and your reaction to chemo, you may or may not be given benedryl which will make you sleepy. You are likely to get steroids, either taken orally from the day before to the day after or in an infusion. I didn't get benedryl and was on Decadron, a steroid, so I was always very alert during chemo and I felt good on chemo days - the side effects didn't hit me until a few days after. So I always brought my laptop and worked during chemo. I also brought a lunch or snack bag depending on the time. They had water and ice chips there. If you get taxotere, sucking ice chips during the infusion is suppose to help prevent mouth sores.

    I wore comfy clothes and made sure my top had a v-neck, scoop neck or buttons so that they could access my port easily. They had blankets and pillows so I didn't bring my own.

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  • BShoemaker
    BShoemaker Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2009

    ddlatt, thanks for the info!  Appreciate it.  You always have interesting posts...I was very interested in your case because if I recall correctly you didn't get reconstructive surgery...I am considering going the same route myself.  I haven't met with my surgeon yet, (June 8) but am struggling with this.  Not to mention the hat & wig shopping...uggg...

    Bluedasher, today was my first day and I did really well.  No bad reactions and loved my nurse.  I have a Picc Line...THANK GOODNESS!  I love it!  I hate needles so this is such a relief to me and my nurse...she was thrilled too!  I am taking Benedryl, Decadron & Zantac before the Chemo.  I was very alert during the Chemo, but also had my dad, stepmom & hubby with me.  We chatted the entire time and I met a really sweet lady next to me that had Ovarian cancer about 5 years ago and no recurrence, but now has Lymphoma.  She had a great attitude and was full of good advice.  The only mistake I made was not wearing a short sleeve shirt because of the Picc Line...next time I will!  I just wanted to be warm is all.  I will take your advise on the ice chips for next time.  They also provided blankets, pillows, hard candy, crackers etc...  I brought my gatorade.

    Thanks Lisa as always...great advice!  I think the pad of paper/pen is a great idea as I think of questions...we had quite a few today!

    Hugs,

    bettina

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited June 2009

    Our chemo room was so cold, but they did have afgans available - 1 for each chair.  They also had pillows and always had a fresh, clean pillowcase on them. 

    I had a port, so I wore a loose blouse, making the port site readily available.  I also wore elastic waist pants because I had to pee a LOT!!!!  In fact, I learned after the first session to wear a pad in my pants!!!!  And bring some extras.  I barely made it to the ladies room.

    I was always hungry, and some people brought stuff from fast food places and the smells made me want to jump up and grab their food.  So be prepared for the hungries.  I always brought lots of water, grapes, some cookes, hard candies, a book (but I never read them), and anything else I was interested in that day.  Maybe a magazine or something.  It was nice if people were chatty -- it passed the time better.  Sometimes it was dead silent for some reason and no one wanted to talk. 

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  • LeggyJ
    LeggyJ Member Posts: 726
    edited June 2009

    My first day, I packed all kinds of stuff, but the chemo. nurses had everything, food of all kinds, drinks, water, books, hats, warmed blankets, you name it they had it.  After that, I just brought a book.  We even had a visit, bedside with the chemo. pharmacist, with our bag o drugs...

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  • Bethie1
    Bethie1 Member Posts: 393
    edited June 2009

    My sister was great for helping me pack. I wore comfy clothes and had a chemo bag also.

    In the bag was a separate plastic zipper pouch type bag with my meds, my iPOD, my laptop, magazines.  I managed to fall asleep most times.  They provided lunch so I didn't have to bring one!!

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  • afighter
    afighter Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2009

    Hi, Ladies:

    I begin chemo soon, will know my exact date tomorrow; so, this thread is a big help to me.  Most of you say wear comfy clothes.  Does this mean you wear your clothes during treatment and not a hospital gown? 

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  • lemont
    lemont Member Posts: 31
    edited June 2009

    You wear your own clothes, no need for a gown.

    I also took my calendar for making the next appointment(s).

    When I started chemo, I didn't know about taking a blanket. When I got cold, the nurse gave me a fleece throw that a former patient made and donated. She attached a tag that said "I have sat in your chair." It meant a lot to me. I felt such a connection to that woman, though I'll never know who she is.

    Cinda

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited June 2009

    Yes, I wore my own clothing as we didn't wear hospital gowns, etc.  Our cancer center had a lot of afgans that people had hand made and donated and I always felt wrapped in love when I needed one.  Such a lovely thing to do!

    People also donated wigs, chemo hats, etc.  As soon as I'm sure I'm done with all this, I'll donate mine.

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  • BShoemaker
    BShoemaker Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2009

    I also wore my own clothes, but found out if you have a Picc Line or Port, make sure to wear clothing so that they can access it easily.  Maybe a V-neck shirt or short sleeve shirt for the Picc Line.  My place provided hard candy, crackers & water if you needed it.  I just brought my own stash of gatorade & hard candy.  I ate breakfast before I left the house.

    Best of luck!

    Bettina

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited June 2009

    Bettina ~ If you'll be getting Taxotere, find out if your onc's office has ice mitts or ice available.  Mine did not do either, but after finding out that ice cuts down on the Taxotere circulating to your fingers & toes (where you don't need it) and prevents nail damage, I started bringing my own.  Since I live out in the desert, where ice would melt very quickly, I found it handy to stick in a bag of frozen vegetables (peas, etc.) at the last minute, so that I could keep my fingers & toes cold during the taxotere infusion.  And it didn't make a big mess as the veggies thawed.

    I also used a guided imagery CD for chemo, so had that on my MP3 player.   

    afighter ~  Yes, definitely your own clothes.  No need for a hospital gown.   Deanna

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  • BShoemaker
    BShoemaker Member Posts: 78
    edited June 2009

    Deanna,

    Thanks for the tip on the ice.  Yes, I am getting Taxotere.  I am bringing my Gatorade on ice packs in a small cooler bag so maybe I could use those during the Taxotere drip.  So do you suggest just resting my finger tips & toes on the ice packs then??

    Thanks,

    Bettina

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  • LolaHank
    LolaHank Member Posts: 28
    edited June 2009

    Bettina,  Take a big jug of water!  You will know once the first one is over what to take for the 2nd one.  Sometimes it was nice to talk to people, but it's okay to keep to yourself too.  My onc. told me to carb overload on chemo days.  I always started feeling crappy on the 3rd day and never wanted anything to eat.  Popsicles are good to have at home.  Be sure to tell your onc. of ANY symptoms you have, don't be shy.  Good luck and it will be over before you know it.  Rest, Rest, and Rest!!  Thinking of you! Sarah

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  • afighter
    afighter Member Posts: 24
    edited June 2009

    Hi Ladies:

    This thread has been so helpful.  Thank you all for sharing your experiences.  I was notified yesterday that my first treatment will be next Friday, June 19.  I will have four TC treatements.  I will take a couple of ice packs with me since, I, too, will be taking Taxotere.

     I have read that it is important for chemo patients to get enough protein...have you guys seen this?  Are any of you taking ginger for the nausea?

    Why the gatorade?  Crackers?  Hard candy?

    I am having a port implanted on Saturday; so, thank you for the heads up on what to wear for easy access.

    Sorry about all of the questions.  I am sure that they will lessen after my first treatment.

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  • angeljoy
    angeljoy Member Posts: 128
    edited June 2009

    Great suggestions for the "chemo-bag"! A fighter, I used hard lemon candies for nausea. Someone recommended them to me and they worked. Something about the sourness I think.  Other than that always having a little something in my stomach helped, which is probably why people bring crackers.  My onc warned me to exercise caution using any favorite foods to soothe my tummy during nausea, as some people find that they develop an aversion to even favorite foods they ate during chemo.  I didn't find that, but I found I now have an aversion to any drinks that are that red color of adriamycin. Or even a red popsicle. *shudder*

    Angela

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  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited June 2009

    As others have already mentioned, my IPOD was the best for passing the time and keeping my mind off the meds.  If you don't have one I strongly suggest that you get one.  You only need a nano.  It will hold lots of songs, and downloaded radio shows or books.  And you can also get game applications from ITune.  It will be all you need!  (No. I am not an Ipod salesperson!)

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  • RoxanneC
    RoxanneC Member Posts: 110
    edited June 2009

    There are alot of great suggestions here for a 'chemo bag', afighter. The gatorade is to help keep you hydrated, the crackers are for something 'lite' on your tummy. I found that the hard candies really helped with the metallic taste that I got while I was getting my chemo. You will find much info and support here sweetie. I also had my dear hubby with me at all of my chemo treatments, which helped alot. Good luck and prayers will be with you!

    And angeljoy...ditto about anything red after adriamycin. Red jello even made me shudder. Thankfully..3 years later, the red no longer bothers me.

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  • crigo
    crigo Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017

    Thankyou for this post Im starting chemo tomorrow so this is very halpfu

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  • Mucki1991
    Mucki1991 Member Posts: 294
    edited November 2017

    good luck to you

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2017

    Welcome, Crigo! There's a lot of support and information here, so we hope you're able to find what you're looking for. If you need help navigating the forums, or some specific information from our main site, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via the private message function. We're here for you!

    Good luck with chemo! Let us know how it goes.

    Best wishes,

    The Mods

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