What to take to Chemo?

Thanks kezmusc - see how I go :) 

Hey @NotHappyJan,

Same chemo as you but every three weeks..  I managed to work most of the way through (I only work part time though).  I got them to shuffle my chemo day so my crash days were on my days off and I was pretty good to go to work after that.  I also refused that Pegfilgrastim injection after the first one so didn't have those side effects to deal with.  It just depends how you go as to whether you'll be up to work or not.

I just played games on my phone/watched movies.  I didn't bother with the port so I was hooked up all over the place and with the cold cap I was wrapped up in warm blankets which made crosswords or the like a bit difficult.  So was eating lunch I might add.

Hope all goes well.

xoxoxox

Thanks and yep makes sense :)

Magazines like Womens Weekly (short stories) or puzzle mags are  better than books  ...... too many distractions to really concentrate on a book - or you just end up re-reading the same bit 10 times (and still forget it!)

An iPod & ear phones is good - if you enjoy your own music .... or conversely, ear plugs, & see if you can 'nod off'?

All the best xxx

Thanks heaps and sooo hope I'm one of the lucky ones that don't react xo

Hi @NotHappyJan - I’m a self-confessed slave to my technology so I take my laptop and my phone. I hotspot from my phone and send/answer emails for work or do other work on my laptop, otherwise I play word games on my phone. I also did four rounds of AC and I’m now had way through taxol. I usually take something delicious to eat or drink - that’s my treat! So, either a milkshake or a flavoured mineral water or a KitKat etc. 
Absolutely everyone reacts differently to chemo. I have been incredibly fortunate and have kept working full time throughout. That’s definitely not doable for everyone. Go with the flow and listen to your body. 
Wishing you everything of the best for your treatment. 
Xxxx

I always took books, etc but found that I rarely read them even when I was in for hours with the cold caps.  People would chat and I found it hard to focus (and I can read for Australia, usually).  I tried podcasts but they couldn't hold my attention.  Maybe knitting would have worked if I was a knitter.  My suggestion is, take things in and if you use them, great!

@NotHappyJan agree on the numbing cream it makes all the difference I also take a couple of panadol to help too as my onc has bloods drawn then I see him about an hour later and then once all clear for chemo we go. So the hook up happens at bloods and then is in my arm for the duration which can be up to 6 hours

Hey @NotHappyJan a tip regarding the port. I found it stings quite a bit when they attach the cannula each time (bit like being stuck with a drawing pin). I got my oncologist to prescribe some numbing cream and just put it on an hour or two before (you put a dab then cover with a waterproof dressing) and then it's a lot more comfortable.

Thanks pammiesyd - Ii'm having the port put in this Wednesday so guess that makes it reality :)