Making a Chemotherapy Survival Kit (Chemo Survival Guide Part 4)
A sample chemotherapy survival kit. Photo by Fernando Montalvo for Helpoon.com.
While chemotherapy can be a very uncomfortable experience for some, there are steps you can take to improve the experience. Even if you are one of the lucky patients to get no side effects from the chemo drugs, you may still be uncomfortable from your time spent sitting or lying down while receiving chemo. One step you can take to make things better at your chemotherapy treatment center is to take with you a sort of Chemotherapy Survival Kit; a bag filled with things aimed simply at making you more comfortable. Possible things to carry inside this chemo bag are:
1) Small Pillow: While some treatment centers stock pillows that patients can use, it may be better to carry your own pillow as you can make sure it is one that you are comfortable with. While many patients carry full sized pillows that they simply take from their beds in the morning, you could opt for a small, travel-sized pillow which is easier to carry to the treatment center. Today, you can buy these pillows in the luggage areas of Target and Wal-Mart, as well as other stores. The one in the picture above cost only $9.99 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and the pillow cover cost just a bit less and was available in the same area of the store. You can also find these in online retailers, such as Amazon.com, which has a small pillow with a pillow case combination for $15.00 (Disclaimer: Helpoon.com is an Amazon Affiliate).
2) Blanket: Hospitals and cancer treatment centers can be very cold. Even if the temperature wasn’t that cold, your body temperature may begin to drop after large quantities of chemotherapy drugs and you may wish you had an extra blanket or throw around even if your treatment center stocks these. I actually had to carry two as I got very cold during chemotherapy. I don’t really have any recommendations for you as to which blankets or throws to purchase. Just make sure you get one you’re comfortable with and that you fit under.
3) Bags for nausea: As just about everyone who knows even just a bit about chemotherapy knows, vomiting is a very common effect of chemotherapy for some patients. As a result, chemotherapy centers usually stock different bags for patients that need to throw up. Some look similar to small trash bags, while others are “high-tech” bags that make throwing up a bit easier. Regardless of the bag, it is important that you have it near you when the time comes to use it and that you’re not looking or asking for one when you’re about to throw up. I recommend that on your very first day of chemo you grab some of these or bring very good small trash bags and keep some in your chemo bag. You may need it on the ride home or coming back the next day as well. If you’re going to be using trash bags, make sure to double bag as there may be leaks on one bag.
4) Medicines: You need to consult your doctor on this one as only your medical professional knows which medicines you can or should use while on chemo, but whatever medicines he or she does recommend, it would be a good idea to have them readily available on your chemo bag. I used to carry Tylenol around for frequent headaches that I used to get on some days.
5) Entertainment: Whether you take a Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, crossword puzzle or something else, keeping yourself entertained and distracted from chemo is important. On my first few months of chemo I used to take a Nintendo DS portable video game system, but as the chemo progressed I really couldn’t concentrate on the screen too much so I switched to other forms of entertainment. Granted, some chemo centers have individual TV’s for each patient, as well as board games and crossword puzzles, but you may need some variety so consider bringing options. You may also think about having a portable MP3 player to use if you want to hear some music.
6) Snacks: While many centers have snack machines available, those patients whose chemotherapy is very long and takes up most of the day may want to consider bringing snacks and making meal arrangements. Just remember that if your chemo gives you nausea you may start associating the food you eat with the nausea and you may end up hating those foods for a while. With that in mind, stay away from your very favorite foods as this may make you hate some of them. I still cringe when I smell certain foods more than a year after my last chemotherapy session and many patients tell me they have the same problem. If your chemo drugs give you a foul taste in your mouth, you may want to consider a hard candy with a strong taste, such as a Jolly Rancher. It will remove the foul taste from your mouth and make your chemo much more pleasant. I found this especially true for my shorter, less than an hour long chemo sessions. Having a small packet of salt may help you deal with nausea. A small amount of salt on your tongue may help you cope with nausea, but consult with your doctor on this one.
7) Reading Materials: This one kind of forms part of the whole entertainment thing I wrote about on 5. Chemo sessions are great for reading, although some of the effects of chemo-brain are strong enough to make reading a little bit difficult. If you have any books you need to catch up on or like reading magazines, they may help pass your time during chemotherapy.
8 ) Pictures or Religious Items: Not exactly part of my own personal experience, but soon after entering chemotherapy I realized that a lot of patients carry around either religious items, such as large crosses, or large pictures of their loved ones. Regardless of what inspires you to keep going or helps you with soul searching, if you feel like having any of these things will help you with chemo, go ahead and carry it in your bag.
9) Bottles of Water: While you don’t necessarily need to be drinking water (other things like Gatorade may be OK), it’s a good idea to ensure that you have a supply of liquids. Chemo drugs are dangerous and taking in adequate fluids is important. Just about all chemotherapy centers have a vending machine somewhere with bottled water, but you may prefer something they don’t have or may want to save some money from the high cost per bottle that vending machines usually charge (although you’ll get a cold drink). Carrying a couple of bottles of water may help you after vomiting or if you need to take a pill.
Those are just a few of the suggestions as to which things to carry in your chemo bags. Some centers have restrictions as to what can be carried to your chemo sessions so be sure to ask your provider if there are any such limitations. Of course, some of you may have more ideas as to what to include or may have some personal experiences on this matter. If you have any additional items you think should be included or want to share experiences, please post so in the comments below.
The previous post in the Chemotherapy Survival Guide:
NEXT POST IN THE SERIES —-> HERE
