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HelenlovesSnoop's avatar
HelenlovesSnoop
Member
2 years ago

Chemo packing list

Hello everyone,

A few of the lovely ladies here have already given me some chemo tips, but just wondering if anyone has a packing list for chemo.  I'm doing my first session on Monday (the AC/followed by something or other, every 2 weeks) and I'm not doing the cold cap thing.

So far I have icy poles
Puzzles, books, phone which has music etc
Notebook and pen
Chewing gum
Blanket (though not sure whether to take big or small one)
Water
Will take snacks/lunch though don't know what.
Is that everything I need?

And I forgot to ask if I can wear my contact lenses?  Might just take my specs so I can remove the lenses if necessary.

chemotherapy
support
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 years ago
    Well done, @HelenlovesSnoopy .... you did well xx. Well done on having a supportive hubby - that really helps xx. Take care & all the best xx

    Sorry to see you are back with secondary treatment @Maree72 ... do you have a breast care nurse you can bounce these questions off before starting your treatment?  Some give you a 'pre treatment walk thru' - so mention any of the previous bits .... take care & all the best xx
  • HelenlovesSnoop's avatar
    HelenlovesSnoop
    Member
    2 years ago
    Hi @Maree72,

    Sorry to hear you’re on this roller coaster with the rest of us, and that is an apt description by the way, it all happens so fast really.

    I think you might be better off focussing on the surgery first and think about chemo later - but I do understand your wish to plan ahead! I also like to plan ahead - which is why I love lists!  Feel free to ask questions about mastectomy surgery if you’re having that as I recently had a bilateral mastectomy plus lymph nodes removed.

    Anyway AC is doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide - it sounds like a ‘popular’ kind - but I believe it can be given for different length of cycles (mine is every 2 weeks) and duration. I will be doing 4 in total then another 4 of a different drug.  Mine is a dense dose (frequent) and you could get that too as it sounds like you’re on the youngish side, but you may be prescribed something different.

    I’ve just had one chemo session, so I will rewrite that list - I think it also depends on your hospital as mine gives sandwiches but didn’t offer anything else like water or blankets, though I didn’t need one really as the hospital ward wasn’t cold and I had a light knee blankie, and of course I had water.  I also had a hubby and a very engrossing book.

    Best wishes to you, Helen 😊



  • Maree72's avatar
    Maree72
    Member
    2 years ago
    best wishes, gosh, what a fab question, I'm yet to start this chemo journey, so never thought do I need anything, so the above tips and tricks are great, I'm off for surgery for the second time around of this cancer roller coaster in 2 weeks, so I'm peppering for that, but also trying to get my head around chemo etc, as its new to me, 1st time round I dodged it, not so lucky this time, as I have been warned, I just thought I rocked up to the appointment and would be in and out, my bad. my hospital also dose not offer the cold cap thing either, can I ask what is AC short for. take care and all the very best to you on this next part of the breast cancer roller coaster 
  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    2 years ago
    Hi, my suggestion is to drink lots water in the day before, on the day and post chemo for a few days to help flush it through. Walking is also excellent and while you can get fatigue it really really helps so try even a gentle stroll. I also took to having beetroot, ginger, carrot, apple and celery juice. It helps the liver deal with all those drugs. My other suggestion is meditation as it too helps. Take care of yourself. Best wishes 
  • HelenlovesSnoop's avatar
    HelenlovesSnoop
    Member
    2 years ago
    Thank you for that Gin - I see what you mean, it doesn't seem so long when you break it all up so I think I won't overpack for this one.  Helen :)
  • GinGin's avatar
    GinGin
    Member
    2 years ago
    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