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What to pack for Chemo

Nanny22
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I am expecting to start Chemo for breast cancer in the new year and Im anxious to know what I should take with me as I understand it could be a long session.  I was very surprised to see "chemo packs" for sale onAmazon and other sites all containing lots of lovely things and lots of lovely big prices.  Can anyone tell me the basics that I need to pack.  Thank you.

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    Hello Nanny22, I had chemotherapy from October 2015 until February 2016, I didn't get any chemo packs. I had FEC-T, six cycles. What are having?

     I took all the prescribed anti sickness drugs and rested between cycles. I wish you all the best for your treatment, if you want to chat I am here xx

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    About to go into cycle 4.Each of my sessions lasted 4 hrs or so. A book, a tablet with a few games on. packet of sweets and a couple of bottles of water.

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    Hi Nanny Depends on the hospital but some have free wi-fi so you could take a tablet. Otherwise i would suggest a book, magazine some puzzles if you like them. Drinks and snacks. You wont be allowed out of the ward but anyone you take along can come and go so they can always get stuff from the cafe or shop if there is one. You can get to the loo so don' t worry about that you just have to take the drip with you. Comfortable clothing and footwear. Take layers of clothing because you can get warm and cold during the chemo depending on the drugs - a cardigan or fleece that you can take off before and put round you if you get cold. Wear warm gloves and keep warm before the treatment as it helps them to find a vein. Also drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the treatment. Any queries you may have write them down so you don't forget. There is no such thing as a stupid question. I started a chemo diary so that I could jot down how I felt during and between treatments, this helped me because things go in cycles and you start to recognise them e.g. I was never sick so did not need to take the anti sickness tablets I did get pains in my joints and legs that lasted a few days (different cancer different chemo) this enabled me to plan around when I knew I would be at my worst. Good luck
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    I'd never heard of them till I read your post - just looked on Amazon and what a load of tosh!

    Treat it as you would any other long and boring experience. WiFi is variable or non-existent and many NHS buildings have a steel frame which makes getting a mobile signal impossible. Take a Kindle or a book with you, don't drink too much or you'll need to drag your drip into the loo and as others have said wrap up well as many chemos make you very sensitive to cold. The hospital usually provides anti-nausea pills.

    The main thing is don't plan to drive yourself home. This may seem obvious but some people have been known to do this and I wouldn't like to drive after chemo.

    Good luck!

    Dave

  • Offline in reply to Audrey

    Thank you Audrey.  I meetwith the oncologist in January... taking it from there 

    I was most surprised to see Chemo-packs on sale on Amazon.  Some firms just dont miss a trick do they!  

  • Offline in reply to Grahamtheseagull

    Thank you Grahamtheseagull.  Yours looks a pretty concise list. Many thanks.

  • Offline in reply to davek

    Thank you Dave.  Everyone has been so helpful.  Ill take my kindle and warm clothes.  The driving is going to be a pain though.  Im sooooo independent.  Sadly theres no easy bus route! Ill manage (thinking positively)

  • Offline in reply to river56

    Thank you river56.  I am going to start a chemo diary to keep a track on feeling, nausea etc, during the treatment. Thanks a very good idea.  I have know idea how long the treatment will be but Im guessing its an 8 session stint then radiotherapy..... Going to be an odd 2017

  • Offline in reply to Nanny22

    Hi, you are very welcome. I took a book with me, but never opened it, everyone was chatting and so friendly. A volunteer brought teas and coffee around too. 

    My sessions lasted about an hour to two hours. I felt okay for driving afterwards. 

    I wish you well for your appointment, please let me know how it goes or if you have anything I can help you with x

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    Hi I'm on session 3 and im normally there 8 till 6. I took allsorts the first session but could not settle to read a book as so.much going off on the 8 person unit. I avoided dairy on the advice of someone on here and I was not sick the second time around, I took some green tea bags in with me. Definitely wear something comfy that you can undo with one hand when using the loo or leggings , track suit bottoms as you use the loo quite a lot and you get to master moving the equipment into the loo with you. Take some magazines , mints, fruit etc . They came round with sandwiches for patients but not too good so the second time we packed our own . Check there is no community transport to help you out ? We have a great service called Firefly a charity that provides a door to door service. You get chatting to other patients and the time passes quite quickly. Hope all goes well.

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