Hi Helen,
I am on AC as well currently. I am not on cold capping so treatment time is 2.5 hours max ( including the one hour wait for the nausea pills to take effect). When I get there (my appointment is 9 am). I am given nausea pills first and I have to wait an hour before they start the infusion. I bring:
1. ginger water in bottle to drink along the way as I need to stay hydrated.
2. some light snacks (the hospital do have snacks but I bring fruits eg bananas and some nuts)
- I have seen some patients bringing light sandwiches, magazines etc. They are doing cold capping though so their treatment time is much longer.
3. My phone (with music).
The nurses will get me to suck on icy poles (supplied by the hospital)just before and during infusion. the Icy poles are only when they drip the Doxorubicin drugs (which in my case takes about 15 mins). Icy poles are provided by the hospital, so check if yours provides them? The nurse will be sitting with you during Doxorubicin drip as they need to monitor for any reaction to the drugs.
They also provide warm blankets, I bought mine for the first AC but subsequent trips, I used the ones provided by the hospital.
I tried to sleep (or at least close my eyes) listening to calming music during treatment hoping it will finish soonest!
all the best for your first AC
Gin