Someone asked me about going to start chemo treatments and what they should take with them.

GregP_WN

This is a good time to refresh our "What to Take to Chemo" article. So let us have your "must haves" while at chemo. What would you suggest?

LiveWithCancer

Tablet or phone and charger (and/or a good book), something to drink, something to snack on (facilities often provide both drinks and snacks, but if you don't know, go prepared!). Blanket (also often provided). Good attitude. Lip balm. Lotion. My mom and husband went with me for initial chemo, but by the end, I was going alone ... I was personally fine with that but a lot of people like to take someone along for conversation and moral support (COVID may mean you can't have someone else with you ... at my facility, you have to go alone so that they have enough space to treat more patients at any given time)

Bengal

Reading material, puzzle book. My facility provided snacks and beverages, also blankets. The most comfortable clothes you have. Also, if your chemo is during the summer make sure you dress for air conditioning. I brought a small pillow for my back. I also brought my own tape because I had an allergic reaction to stuff they used to tape the IV to my port. Patience and a sense of humor, definitely.

Paperpusher

My husband isn't much of a reader so music was better for him to have to take his mind elsewhere. He wore a baseball cap after he lost his hair but someone may want a scarf or some kind of headwear. Hubby only wanted to sleep during chemo so I needed the book. The hospital provided snacks for the caregivers too. In fact our hospital has a caregiver center where I could take a nap, get a massage or take part in some art therapy. They also had additional food like coffee, tea, milk, fresh fruit, and chips.

BuckeyeShelby

I was in the chair for 6+ hours each time, so I also brought a lunch (I was not in a hospital; I was at my medical oncologist's office, so no cafe) - usually just one of those little lunchable things w/crackers, meat and cheese along with a can of pop. I had a chemo bag that I packed each time. Juice, books, my blankie, snacks, my phone (didn't have a tablet back then), my big hospital water glass for ice water. I never had to deal with nausea, so I'd stop at Bob Evans before my appointment and load up on protein, even when I wanted pancakes....

Sasukesuma

I will be starting chemo again soon for my second diagnosis. Thing have changed in the year I was in remission. Now you can’t have anyone come with you. My daughter always went with me before because I was having so much trouble with my ostomy. But I guess this time I will just bring my tablet, a snack (they no longer supply drinks or snacks) lip balm, lotion and a neck pillow because I know as soon as that massive dose of benedryl hits I will just pass out anyway.

Kp2018

To add to the many wonderful suggestions above: Warm socks. The air conditioning Bengal mentioned really made my feet cold. Wool socks were a great comfort. Large safety pin. The tape used to secure the tubing from my port to my clothing left adhesive on my jacket that was very difficult to remove. I brought along a safety pin for the nurse to use instead. Worked great.

cllinda

I always brought a fleece blanket in my bag of tricks. Always so cold in the chemo room and the cotton blankets just were not warm enough. When I went for my Prolia shot a few weeks back, I noticed they now have a blanket warmer for the patients. How nice.