Hi HMF,

I’m not great on the touchy-feely stuff and I only have my own chemo-experience to go on but I wasn’t in a fit state psychologically to drive myself to the chemo sessions or physically to drive home. Transport will be appreciated - the hospital will offer but that inevitably involves a lot of waiting. My side-effects worsened over time - one of the chemo drugs caused pain if it leaked around the cannula and all of them made me feel exhausted and nauseous immediately afterwards and for up to about 48 hours.

My appetite disappeared and my tastebuds were temporarily damaged. Her care team will be able to give specific advice on diet but as always the advice will be to keep hydrated and to eat whatever she can keep down. I survived during the worst times on liquidised homemade soup, thick shakes and smoothies. Oh and ginger nut biscuits, hobnobs and chocolate digestives! 

Be understanding if for the first two days after chemo all she wants to do is hide under the duvet with little or no human contact and sleep for hours on end regardless of the time of day. After two days I literally forced myself to get up, get dressed and to walk my dog for exercise. That isn’t compulsory but it worked for me. 

Anticipating chemo is stressful, the reality is a bit of an anticlimax but the background worry of “will this work and will I have gone through all this for nothing?” is constant. 

Just knowing someone is there to help is always a comfort.

I hope this helps!

Dave 

Hi Dave,
This is brilliant, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I truly appreciate every nugget of wisdom you’ve offered. I shall stock up on those biscuits! Also thing shakes and smoothies is a great idea for getting nutrients in. 

Wishing you all the best for going forwards.

Hannah

Hi there. I did my friend a “chemo “ bag Just little jokey presents . Silly Mickey Mouse slipper  tithings ( Primark) , Magazines , books , hand wipes , lip balm. Apparently lips can get sore and taste buds change … pineapple cube sweets x Hope your friend gets through ok 

Lib balm! That’s great knowledge thank you so so much. X

HNF 

my friend sent me a chemo bag it had all sorts in it it was a free chemo bag from cancer research I think , but I didn’t need chemo afterwards so I took it to my local cancer shop .

it had socks toothpastes sweets lip balm biscuits fruit teas  I will try and find out later what sure she ordered it from but it’s deffo free xx

good luck to your friend and so lovely of you to be thinking so much of her xx love Lara xxxx 

Yes if you google free Chemo  kits it comes up but they refresh stock every Monday so hopefully tomorrow you will get one xxx 

When I went through chemo ,some of my friends were really brilliant. Nice body lotions as you have to keep skin well moisturised,good books ,nice cordials to bed socks and pyjamas . Also offering to do the transport when my husband couldn’t take me . Maybe making meals for her family ,if she has one . I also had a friend give me lovely bamboo and silk night caps as your head is quite cold once you loose your hair . 
And just being there , I had fun with my friends too .It wasn’t all gloom and doom xxx

Good luck xxx

Ah thank you so much, that sounds like something some of the cancer charities will make so I will have a look, thank you so much for your time and reply to my message. XX

Thankyou!! XX

All awesome suggestions, thank you so so much. Off to google bamboo and silk night caps!

XX