***What to bring to chemo***

[Colleen007]

The DVD player is a must. With 2 small kids at home, we can never stay awake if we rent movies, so my chemo days are like "dates" with my husband. We bring lunch and watch the movie together. I also bring blank thank you note cards so I can catch up on thanking all of the people who continue to do things for us (like watch the kids during appointments or make us dinner on treatment days). My husband has been to every appointment and is always there to take notes. I also make sure I wear either a button down shirt or a half-zip sweatshirt so the nurse has easy access to my port. As Sandy said above, make the most of the time you are there and before you know it, you will have conquered another treatment and it will be time to go home.

[LAURIE]

Here my checklist for my emotions and feelings on the first day of chemo especially.

1) know that it is okay to cry, and to be nervous.
2) bring a friend or loved one
3) prepare to feel dizzy, each time they change a bag ask what it is, so you know how each med makes you feel for next time. (tell your nurse to slow it down, if you get too dizzy)
4) expect to NOT throw up. the chances are you will not. I did feel sick right before the needle goes in. That is just your nerves. Take a deep breath.
5) Seek out the newbie chair. Usually the one in the corner, that is private. I have noticed that newbies in my office go to one of the two chairs in the corner.
4) I chose to play my nintendo DS video game during chemo. Sometimes I got so dizzy that I just close my eyes and try to relax. (during A/C) Now the nurses can hardly find me to change my bag. I get up and talk to others, go the bathroom, etc.. It is also a good time to get things done like: thank you's, birthday cards for the whole year, etc... But don't beat yourself up if you just want to do nothing.

[Stephanie B.]

I took crossword puzzles and magazines. They usually have magazines in the office, but you find that you have read them all and have nothing. My onc office has a tv and videos available to watch. Bring cold water and/or ice chips - this can help you avoid the mouth sores. I always found myself hungry so I would bring snacks - crackers, cookies etc. If blankets and pillows aren't provided (they usually are) bring one. It always seems to be cold in the office to me. I also use the pillow on my lap to read and do the crossword puzzles. IF you can, talk to someone a step or two ahead of you in the process to see what they felt and what to expect. Before you know it you will be the one giving the advice.

Good luck

Stephanie

[dawbs]

I found the Phenergan made me too sleepy to read, but I couldn't sleep in the chair, even reclined, and I'd just get terribly restless and uncomfortable. So I started to do crosswords and sudoku to stay awake, and it helped with the restless legs too. Now I'm addicted! But maybe that's a good thing, as I heard that puzzles are good to fight off the chemobrain and prevent dementia.

Vicki