Be Prepared: 22 Things to Bring to Chemo

i didn't feel anything when the drugs arrived at the port.   i definitely didn't like watching that bright red adriamycin creeping down the line, but the drugs themselves came with no sensation.   i was nauseous with the first bag they gave me which contains another anti nausea drug (irony!), some steroids and something else i can't remember.   the a/c treatments were 'busier' than the taxol treatments, in that there are more bag changes. 

the a/c treatments didn't make me drowsy, just nauseous and light headed.  i brought a friend, and some crackers, asked for a blanket, a ginger ale and some ice, i'd put on my sea band wristbands (highly recommend!!) and that was it.   i'd have brought a book if i didn't have a friend with me, but our rooms also had tv's.    one friend of mine brought a little stuffed animal that is dear to her, to her treatments. 

i did have to go to the bathroom.  a LOT!    at least 5-6 times every round!      i was well hydrated going in and the infusions are a lot of fluids on top of that.   do drink lots of water to keep yourself well flushed - through your entire treatment!    the adriamycin will make your urine red so if they didn't mention it yet, don't be shocked.  and it will happen very quickly.  drink drink drink. 

my sister came with me for my first taxol round and i did my cracker, blanket, ginger ale, ice and wristband routine but the first thing you'll get for those rounds is a hefty dose of benadryl and to be honest i don't remember much after a few seconds.  i only woke up when i had to go to the bathroom and again due to the benadryl  (i called being under its influence 'benadrunk'!) they had to help me get there or i wove a comical weave down the hallway and anyone in that hallway was at risk for getting bumped into.     but here again, there was no particular sensation with the drugs.   and i didn't have to go to the bathroom as often as with the a/c.    later, my sister told me that i'd wake up once in a while, look up at the bag, heave a great big sigh, and then pass out again.  i don't remember that part at all.     she said i did it at least 7 or 8 times over the course of the 6 hours.   

port accessing was easy for me but i did turn my head away as i didn't need to actually watch.  with the numbing cream i didn't feel anything more than the pressure they would apply.   if i forgot to put it on they always gave me some, and a few minutes for it to work.   once, i had a port flush without the cream and while it didn't hurt exactly, i felt the needle when they pulled it out and it was creepy.  not painful, just rather a creepy feeling i could have done without if i'd thought of the cream ahead of time.

wear clothes that they can work with - a long sleeved turtleneck for example just won't do.   i wore tank tops and sundresses (it was summer) and had a cardigan sweater over my shoulders sometimes.   with the blankets they supplied i was not cold, and i suppose the hot flashes i soon experienced helped with that too! 

i do laugh about a lot of it now, and did at the time.   it's possible i have a warped sense of humor, but honestly, some of the things that will come up are just ridiculous and will simply deserve to be laughed at.   i hope all your treatments go easily for you.  you are on the same schedule that i was on and i am two years cancer free.

oh, and when you get the neulasta shot they have to put it in way up on your upper arm so again, wear something that will allow them to get to that area.    


Edited by nancykind - Feb 09 2014 at 4:14pm

Thanks Nancy , definitely helps me calm my nerves down.
I am as ready as I can be . I will check in with you after tomorrow . It's nice to know there is an entire support group which I have never met before standing right besides me.
Hugs
Jennifer

Jennifer,

Hello everyone,
Thank you for sharing your stories with me. Yes the anticipation is probably worse. I am lookimg forward to actually doing preventative treatment . I will check in tomorrow.
Hugs
Jennifer

Wishing you all the best Brandy Marie!

Good to know brandymarie! What chemo are you getting? One down!! (I kept a calendar that I crossed off each time!)