Everyone’s treatments and regimen are different, so what you will need may include things not discussed here. These are just “tips” offered by a host of survivors who have undergone chemotherapy.
These lists are organized into 3 parts:
- BEFORE you begin treatment
- DAY OF CHEMO (what you will need at the time of infusion), and
- AFTER chemo (what you will need at home, following treatments).
BEFORE YOU BEGIN CHEMO – How to prepare for chemotherapy
Ask what to expect
Find out as much general information and suggestions as you can from your medical team about what to expect and start preparing yourself and your home in anticipation of starting treatment.
- Medication Organization and Handy OTC’s
You will most probably be prescribed multiple drugs which you will need to organize and keep in a carry-all so you can take the pills throughout the day and night as prescribed. Keep the carry-all with you when you are going from one floor of your house to the other, or when you go out. Keep your chemo-related pills, OTC’s and supplements (OK’d by your doctor or nutritionist) separate from your family’s medicine cabinet. Some people benefit from buying daily pill organizers for those pills you take regularly.
Many chemotherapy drugs can cause diarrhea, but most of the anti-nausea medication that you’ll have pumped into your system at chemo (and the pills that you might take at home) can cause constipation. It’s a balancing act of utilizing stool softener and laxative. Add both to your medication carry-all.
- Create a drug and OTC log
Set up a chronology log of each and every prescription and all OTC meds and supplements and be ready to keep records of all the drugs you take (There is a template for that in Tab C of My Notebook). Update it as needed and include who prescribed it, or changed the dosage regimen, or discontinued it; the dosage, with time of day for taking the meds, and method of delivery (e.g., oral, IV, sublingual). This becomes especially important if/when you add new doctors or therapists to your medical team, and he or she needs to know your medication history as well as what you are currently taking.
- Go to the Dentist!
Understand that many chemotherapies will cause oral-buccal problems. As with the many admonitions you will receive about optimizing the wellness of your body in preparation for fighting your cancer disease, dental hygiene is crucially important. Go to your dentist. Address any issues with teeth or gums. And stock up with products such as alcohol-free Biotine mouthwash and toothpaste, Oasis moisturizing mouth spray, and Zilacin or Durhams’s Canker-rid mouth sore gel, and Xylimelts (you can use these just before going to sleep). Keep salt and baking soda on hand for a soothing mouthwash.
- Make an Appointment with a Nutritionist
Most cancer centers have dietitians on staff who will help you create nutrition plans. If possible, schedule a meeting with one before you start treatment. A dietitian will let you know foods to avoid, foods and aides that will help with side effects, and the recommended nutrients, especially protein, to consume daily. Keep the nutritionist’s contact info handy, so you can get relevant information for specific issues as you encounter them.
- Chemo Clothes
Until you get a feel for the temperature of your treatment center, it is best to dress in layers that are easy to shed. You will be sitting for hours, so wear loose comfortable clothes. V-necks and button-ups make access easy if your treatment is delivered via a port. You may want to get some soft comfy head covers and warm socks as well.
- Prepare your home and assess your daily work and household routines
Ask your medical team what you can expect from your specific type and regimen of treatments and then talk things over with your family and your employer about what your needs will be once in treatment.
- Chemo Day-Bag
Get a small travel size bag, either a knapsack or a bag with wheels. When you go for your treatments, have the bag prepacked with things that will make you as comfortable as possible. When you go to your treatment session, this bag goes with you. Please make sure to personalize it for you. After the first treatment, you’ll know what to expect, so add whatever will make your infusion day as stress-free and relaxing as possible. Suggested items are:
- Comfy blanket or shawl. Even though they have blankets at the treatment facility, bringing one from home is cozier.
- Laptop, iPad, or cell phone to watch NetFlix or movies. Watching a movie or show will help the time go by faster.
- Earbuds, Airpods, headphones to listen to hear what you’re watching and to drown out the noises and chatter. Some patients use these few hours to rest quietly and listen to white noise recordings or guided meditations.
- Book, magazine, or crossword puzzles. In case you’re not in the mood to watch anything.
- Easy-to-digest snacks like crackers, bananas, or protein bars, or whatever you have found are soothing foods that you know you can tolerate.
- Water bottle with water, Gatorade or flavor/infused water. It’s essential to keep yourself hydrated.
- Chapstick and lotion – your lips and hands (entire body, for that matter) get dry from the meds. If you are going to have a port to deliver your chemo, you’ll need a tube of lidocaine.
- Warm socks, gloves, a headwrap or head cover
- Queasy candies and lollypops
- Mobilize Your Army of Supporters
The last and most important thing that will make chemotherapy bearable is recognizing that you are not alone. So, find your “tribe” of family and friends and cancer thrivers and survivors on social media and join on-line support groups, webinars, live chats. When your friends say, “How can I help” be prepared with a list that you have put together about what you need from them to keep you active by getting you out of the house. Plan to go to exercise classes, church, card games, needlework groups, art classes, or just plain play dates. These are the things that keep you from becoming isolated by your illness. Also, check to see if there are cancer buddies or SOS (survivors offering support) volunteers in your area for your specific cancer type. Join a support group.
THE DAY OF CHEMO
This is your C-Day. Pamper yourself and call on your loved ones to pamper you. Family and friends can be your best supportive resource when instructed how to usefully help you, particularly on C-Days. So, tell them what you need. Transport you to and from treatment, have someone you enjoy visiting with stay with you while you get treatment, have others pick up the kids, walk the dogs, cover for you at work, help with dinner prep, kids’ homework, bath- and bedtime duties, or just drop off dinner. Anything to help reduce your responsibilities on C-day. Chemo is a challenging journey, and asking for assistance doesn’t mean you’re weak or a burden; it simply means you’re human. Everyone, even the strongest among us, needs support sometimes.
Whether it helps with cooking meals, laundry, or just needing someone to chat with when you’re feeling low, these are all valid requests. Remember, your loved ones want to be there for you, and asking for help makes them feel involved and valuable. Plus, letting others in can ease your stress and allow you to focus more on healing and less on your to-do list.
AFTER CHEMO SESSIONS
- Keep your Family and Employers “in the loop”
It is often the case that if the chemo is working, each session causes more side effects. Patients will tell their families or employers that it wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone led them to expect. If the symptoms get worse, let your family and co-workers know. Gauge your own capacity to maintain household duties and work assignments.
- Keep mentally active with relaxing, non-taxing activities
Even if TV is not your thing…you will probably have some sleepless nights and watching TV while away those sleepless hours. Netflix/Hulu/Prime Video Subscriptions may be an answer. Play word and number games. Do puzzles. Use adult coloring books and pencils. Knit or crochet fancy patterns.
- Stay Hydrated
Stay hydrated. Hydration is your secret weapon when going through chemo! Have water on hand during a chemo session, and especially in the days after treatment. Sipping on water throughout the day can help flush out those toxins from your system. Plus, it can help with some side effects, like dry mouth. Dehydration is common after chemo treatments. Side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores, can cause a person to become dehydrated quickly. It’s important to get electrolytes in your body; they are vital for our bodies to function correctly.
- Move your body – gently!
Doing any physical activity after a chemo session may seem impossible. But if you can, try to walk a little after each session, and daily thereafter increase it just a little bit. Walking after chemo treatment helps flush out toxins, boosts your mood, and improves circulation. Here’s why movement is so important during chemo:
- Improves circulation by getting your heart pumping.
- Reduces fatigue.
- It helps flush out the toxins from chemo.
- It helps with digestion. Chemotherapy causes many digestive issues, such as heartburn and upset stomach.
- It lifts your mood.
Other beneficial forms of movement while undergoing chemo are yoga, stretching, low-impact cardio, and strength training with light weights. Here is the caveat: Always listen to your body; it’s just about gentle movement. Remember, it’s normal for your energy levels to fluctuate. Please don’t push yourself too hard or feel guilty for slowing down. Your body’s job right now is to heal, so give it the time and space to do just that. Go slowly and be patient and listen closely to your body, because it is doing its best to navigate this journey.
- Stay connected with your tribe
They are your home team, and they give you reason to get out of bed and into the “real” world, even when it tough to do so. Lunch with a friend, light-duty volunteer work, date nights, exercise sessions. Or if you need to be extra careful of your immune system, on-line classes, Facetime with your kids or grandkids, work Zoom meetings, virtual support groups, whatever. Fighting cancer can be very lonely, even when you are surrounded by people, so keeping connected is important. One caveat: Most of us have some friends that can be a drain on our positive energy. Put the brake on those connections until after you are well.
- Keep in touch with your nutritionist
Chemo can alter your sense of taste, making certain foods taste different than you remember. Foods may taste bland, metallic, overly sweet, or salty. Some people also experience a reduced appetite. These changes can make it difficult to enjoy eating, but they are usually temporary and improve after treatment ends. Nutrition is vital, especially protein. Protein is necessary to produce antibodies to help fight off infection, which is a risk during chemo. Not only does it protect our immune system, but it can also provide energy to fight your fatigue. “Experiment” with what you tolerate best, and the times during the day and the amount of food and drink you eat without upsetting your stomach. And regularly discuss these things with your nutritionist to get ideas and adjustments to your diet.
- Emotional Wellness is Key
Mindset plays a significant role while going through chemo. Holding onto a positive perspective can be one of your most potent tools during this journey. A positive mindset isn’t about ignoring the challenging parts or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it’s about recognizing the challenges and finding strength, resilience, and even moments of joy within them. It’s okay to have hard days. On those days, depending on your support network or speaking with a mental health professional can be helpful. Mindset is a journey, not a destination, and each step you take toward positivity is a victory.