What to bring for your first chemo

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AnewBeginning
AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
edited April 2015 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi

I am going for my first Chemo on Wednesday and would like suggestions on important things to bring with me so I am prepared.

Any and all information is helpful

(((hugs)))

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited April 2015

    I took a book and embroidery to work on. While my center had wifi it didn't work half the time. Had a bag of snacks as well. My center had beverages available. I was there all day. My husband went and got lunch for us. Be mindful about food smells if you do that. Good luck as you start this journey.

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  • readytorock
    readytorock Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2015

    AnewBeginning -

    Something to read and something to eat if no one else is with you to go get something for lunch if you are there several hours.  They brought snacks around, but I was there for 5-6 hours each time and needed a lunch.

    I also brought slippers and my own small cozy blanket.  Unnecessary, but it was comforting to have from home.

    Best to you.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited April 2015

    I found the following useful:

    Companion - family or friend to keep me company

    Blanket/Shaw & cosy socks - I got chilly as often I would dose whilst having treatment

    iPad - to watch shows with my companion. With a double outlet and two sets of headphones. The hospital had a good WiFi so often we saved up something from Netflix or PBS to watch (don't forget your charger)

    Water - particularly for journey home

    Snacks - you'll learn what you like best as the others have said your taste buds might change

    I tried to vary my outfits as I didnt want to have something that reminded me of my chemo sessions. I was given iced chips with cranberry juice to sip whilst having Adiamyacin (the red devil) and I still feel a bit icky drinking it now.

    I wish you well and hope that you tolerate chemo well. I found I wasn't hit by that train as expected. It was difficult but doable. I even managed a short ski holiday just before my last AC. (I'm no athlete but managed to ski every other day) today - 1 year on from finishing I feel so much healthier and back to myself. (well except having a lie-in this morning in bed recovering from my reconstruction op 7 days ago!)

    Look after yourself and take any help offered. Sometimes it's hard for people to think how to help but they do want to be useful. If you allocate them little tasks or errands it will be a double benefit for you and them.

    Sarah x



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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2015

    When I went to the first one I took tatting, a book and Sudoki puzzle book. I did take some water and snackies but didn't need them - they had water, juice, snackies, fruit and soup. I took a 'throw' but their warmed bankies were warmer so liked them better.

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  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Scwilly

    So happy to hear your are done with tx. Hopefully this year will go fast for me.......Thanks for the tips and tricks for chemo, Im learning something new every day! I will never have to go to tx alone but just hope I can drive because my friends dont drive in NYC.......it is a nightmare with all the traffic and taxi's but Im used to it. I didnt have recon, that was the least of it for me, now I wish I had DMX because at least I'd look even. Glad your is over for you. Thanks for the well wishes.

    (((hugs)))

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited April 2015

    I had delayed recon as first I had to have rads, but also I would have wanted to keep my tx as simple as possible. Thatx why I chose a UMX. I am so much more fit for recovering from auch bigger op now than for my UMX last April.

    You will feel mentally better once you have started chemo, and I wish only gentle side effects for you. I feel you pain re your transport logistics. I think once you have the first one over then you will know much more how you will react.

    One thing I learnt is to try to be proactive with side effects, in particular constipation. Anti nausia drugs are great (I had Emend & Zofran) but you will probably find youll need to get some laxitves - I took them in advance for my second cycle onwards

    Let us know how you get on - I'll be thinking of you on Wednesday.

    Sarah x

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  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    ScWilly

    Thanks for the encouraging words. Im glad things worked out for you and your feeling well again. I have colace on hand and will take it beforehand. Just because one doesnt get s/e the first tx it doesnt mean it wont happen next time am I correct. Will keep you all posted.

    (((hugs)))

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited April 2015

    Anew - the problem about taking Colace (or many other things) ahead of time is that you don't know if you'll get diarrhea or constipation. Both are side effects. Or neither. I only had the big "D" and lost 60 lbs. And yes, you might get SEs the 2nd time that you didn't have the 1st. I've posted a link below to the thread for tips for chemo. LOTS of great ideas.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/706846?page=1

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  • cowpower
    cowpower Member Posts: 293
    edited April 2015

    Hi New Beginning! It has been a long while since I stopped by this site, but I wanted to chime in. I had a bag full of stuff my first time, from water to crafts. What I didn't have at that time was the real confidence I gained from getting through that first session. No way to prepare for that part, but I would encourage you to acknowledge your strength before and during the session. For me, the second time was loads easier, and by my last treatment I just needed a book. I also agree with Scwilly....I was offered Popsicles during adriamyacin and picked my favorite. I kinda wish I picked my medium favorite:) I hope all goes well for you. Will check on your progress.

    Kicks, tatting, really? I have tried to learn without success for over 20 years! I am envious. :)

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited April 2015

    My chemo was always scheduled for 8:00 A.M. and I was finished by noon-ish, so all I needed was some water or tea to drink.  I was completely unprepared for how SLEEEEEPY the IV Benadryl made me.  I brought movies, Sudoku, reading, journals, but after the Benadryl it was lights out, and I usually woke up around quitting time.  I felt like lousy company for whomever drove me, but oh, well...!

    Constipation was my biggest problem.  I learned to begin Colace, Metamucil, and Miralax a couple of days before chemo and keep the recipe going for a few days afterward.  My sister, who had the same chemo, had diarrhea.  Go figure.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2015

    Cowpower - yes tatting . I don't understand why sooo many have problems with tatting - it is so easy. I was about 4 when I learned from my Grandmother. A tually on reason I like doing it is that it's small easy to stick in a pocket when done for the moment and not have to worry about anything unraveling as it is all 'knots'. There is something today called 'needle tatting' that some have said is easier but it does 't make sense to me.

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited April 2015

    Anewbeginnings - thinking of you for your first chemo tomorrow.

    Wishing you an uneventful and comfortable time.

    Sarah x

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  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Schwilly

    Thanks, shakin in my boots right now.....waiting for son to pick me up

    (((hugs)))

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited April 2015

    Hope all is going well right now! The thing I would add is that I had a sweater that zipped down the front so would unzip down to the port level. That kept me toasty and I felt super stylish. Otherwise, something to read or work depending on what else was going on. The infusion room had a gorgeous view of the Cascade Mountains, so I asked to be placed next to that when possible.

    Agree on Benadryl which I think is the perfect date rape drug. Like one of the posters, I felt much better after my first round as knew I would be just fine throughout this journey. Good luck! - Claire

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  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2015

    Scwilly

    Posted my experience in the April Chemo but want to thank you all for the well wishes. So far just tired so Im not complaining.

    (((hugs to all)))

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  • Scwilly
    Scwilly Member Posts: 489
    edited April 2015

    Good to hear you are taking it well. Look after yourself. This time feels like such a marathon - but you will be through it in no time. Best of luck and higs back Sarah x

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