Ok so here is my question, I've had my mastectomy (healing well, thankyou), and now I'm about to start Chemo shortly, what do I take with me on the day?I've seen suggestions for 'chemo packs' and some seems practical and some seems over the top. If you've been through chemo, what did you find important to have with you? What could you have done without? What were you given that you were grateful for?I know lots of questions, but you should see the ones still swimming around in my head!Thanks in advanceSue

Hi @Sue_w With a Port, putting a zip (or 2) into your 'chemo top' will make for easier access ... if you enjoy sewing, you could do your own or they are available online.. Open for setting up & half closed for infusionI double @Locksley & @Mazbeth's suggestion of the warm blankets .... our Onc ward is quite cold, even in the middle of summer! I put one on Hubby on Wed.Hubby mainly enjoys doing Word Puzzles during his chemo - or just nods off. It is hard to concentrate on a book as there are so many interruptions - so magazines are good too. Take your own, in case they are no longer supplying them, due to Covid. Take your earplugs for your favourite music too .... or audiobooks ....I definitely get hubby to drink heaps of water before and after the treatment to wash it all out quicker ... he has very few side effects and has never been nauseous or had ulcers etc - just mainly very tired a few days after - and watch out for peeling hands/feet tho .... Moogoo is good, also pawpaw ointment.All the best and take care xx

Hi @Sue_w great to hear you are recovering from the surgery. I am thinking that you will want something to ‘do’ while you are having chemo as you may not be allowed a support person. I was allowed to have someone so I didn’t really need anything. However, I downloaded some TV shows/movies on my iPad and I had some books etc just in case. If you are going to use the cold cap, you will be there longer so you may want something to do. The hospital will have snacks and things, but again, you may want to take something if you want something specific. I really hooked into fruit tingles all through chemo. I was given a care pack from the chicks in pink and it had some things in there which were great over the whole treatment process - lip balm, biotene mouthwash, journal, fruit tingles, movicol etc. I found I got cold so don’t forget to ask for one of the warmed blankets if you are feeling cool. Wear something comfortable so you can lie back in the recliner if you want to rest. I iced my hands and feet during taxol so that’s when I took a few more things, but for the 4 X AC I travelled very light. The medical staff are excellent and will really look after you. As I said, I didn’t really take anything to an actual treatment, but I can definitely confirm I always wanted something to eat on the way home. You will most likely be given steroids and I found they made me hungry. Depending on what you like, you may want to just have somethings on your phone - podcasts, games etc. Take care 🌼

Just a reminder -,if you’re going to,use fruit tingles or any lollies to help with dry mouth or other issues don’t forget to be very diligent with your brushing your teeth as well ( my dentist warned me about effect of extra sugar on teeth during chemo,and this was his reaction when I said I found eucalyptus lollies were helping )

Hi @Sue_w I have finished chemo but still attend oncology for targeted treatment. My Oncology unit is comfortable and provids blankets, tea/coffee/drinks and snacks. I get cold at times so a blanket or throw is a good idea if one is not supplied. I mostly read a book and take a nap if needed. My go to snack are mandarins. As others have said, drink lots of water and go to the loo when you need to so you can flush your bladder. I always walked after treatment. Even if sometimes it was only a small walk. I found that being out in the fresh air helped make me feel a bit better and was a good way to end my treatment day. Brush your teeth regularly with a soft brush and I used a bi-carb soda mouth wash. I did not get any mouth ulcers. I have a portacath so I wear a button up shirts to help with access. Great idea from @arpie to put zippers in tops!

Good on you @Sue_w xx Well done in the pics! Still on my ‘to do’ list ... you’d think 2 big lockdowns would suffice ... but I get busy with other stuff! A friend bought a gadget that is supposed to Check in every folder on the computer and arrange pics in the one folder, in date order and deletes duplicates ... cost her about $90 from the USA ... I just hope it isn’t a scam! They are advertised on FB all the time. I’ll wait for her verdict!I’ve also got a sturdy shopping bag with all Hubby’s notes etc, so I just whack everything in there (iPad and battery bank) ...along with copies of his bloods and reports .... also including my regular ‘note’ to the Onc re what’s happened between the treatments - I add to it between treatments and give her a copy and have my own copy, so we go thru them one by one, taking notes on the answers .... re side effects, eating patterns, general observations, left over chemo tabs etc ... so all I’ve got to do on chemo morning is to pick up the bag and go ... Take care xx

what to take to chemo treatments?

24 Replies

Locksley
Member
4 years ago
Half an hour before your port is accessed put some numbing cream on it. It helps. Nurses should give you some.
Sue_w1
Member
4 years ago
Hi @Locksley, yeah it's a club I could have done without joining! I haven't heard of the ice water and icepacks for PN before. I'm not going to use the coldcap because I get migraines and they are sometimes triggered by getting really cold. Having my head at 3 degrees for hours on end sounds like torcher to me. Think I can do the hands and feet though.
I should be getting a port in this week, just waiting for a call from the surgeon as I start Chemo on the 24th. Definitely will be taking a soft cuddly blanket.
Thanks for the tips :)
Locksley
Member
4 years ago
Some lip balm was good too. Some people sucked on ice chips to prevent mouth ulcers. I got mouth ulcers so bonjella was in my bag.
Locksley
Member
4 years ago
Hello
Welcome to the club no-one wants to join. I'm not sure if you had a Port or not. Clothes with front zips for easy removal helps for treatment. I found twinnings ginger and lemon tea and bickfords barley lemon cordial good to drink the days after chemo to help flush out the chemo. I needed something extra from all the water.

During chemo I put my hands in rubber gloves and in jugs of ice and feet in socks.with ice.packs to help prevent P.n
In hands and feet. I have some PN now but I feel it would have been worse with out it.
A warm blanket during treatment and then at home after was good too.

Phone or tablet or music to pass the time helps. Wishing you all the best.

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what to take to chemo treatments?

24 Replies

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