My first time my husband and I went out and bought a new tote for our chemo jaunts. We caught a sale and bought a really nice red one that is still our fave overnighter bag. I'd crocheted baby blankets over the years since I was a teenager, I decided to make an adult blanket for us. The week before chemo i went and picked out a lovely yarn, the softest stuff I could find. I ended up ordering more yarn online, I stopped when I finished treatment - it's a king size blanky :) my husband and dog are under it as I type this, lol. We'd put in snacks. When Taxol was on the days agenda I'd add sweaters (always ice your hands and feet during Taxol infusions to stave off neuropathy) DVDs (if you get a private room with a player), magazines, newspapers, puzzle books (I worried about chemo brain so I ordered crossword, sudoku, logic, etc. Books from PennyDell online). Houseshoes or fuzzy socks for that comfortable snuggly feeling. A lil plush pillow to help keep me comfy in the Chemo Recliner. Tablet or laptop during my most recent go round. There's usually a kitchen in the chemo area with a fridge offering bottled water, juices, coffee, hot water for tea and snacks like crackers, trail mix, cookies. I'd drink lots and lots of water - the equivalent of 10-12 bottles a day. It became a habit the first time that I still have today. Flush those chemicals thru your system! Think physical comfort and mental distraction - things to pass the time. I've done 20 infusions between the 2 times of treatment, they were all honestly NBD, in hindsight. It's mostly the emotional trauma of what you're doing that's hard! The chemo nurses were all amazing people, they took exceptional care of me
Keep your notepad and pencil in there to take notes, as well as keep notes at home of questions you have for the Dr and nurses. I always had them give me a hard copy of my blood test results every appointment, I kept a notebook with pockets in my bag to keep those and anything else they have me (a nutritionist would come round and chat about what to eat considering my condition, like anemia. The metallic taste issues, etc. Ask to meet the one that works the chemo ward if one doesn't automatically show up). I'd write down each day what meds to take at what times and check off as I took each dose. I'd set timers on my phone. Taking all the meds in a timely fashion is crucial to keeping the side effects at bay! You'll be on the other side of this before you know it.