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Since you’re here, you must have been recently diagnosed and wondering what to bring to chemo treatment. If you’ve read any of my posts, you know that I like to be well-prepared. It helps me relax to know that I’ve got everything I think I might need. And yes, I’m the type who overpacks. But I figure that it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it but not have it. (The motto of every over-packer!) The following list is everything I brought that helped me get into a zen-head space amidst the crappiness that is having cancer.

What To Bring To Chemo Treatment

1. Wallet – This goes without saying, but you’ve got a lot on your mind so obvious things can slip through the cracks.
2. Phone – Same goes for this.
3. Phone charger – Chemo usually lasts for at least a couple of hours. And when you factor in waiting time, it can be significantly longer. I’ve been caught with a drained batter before. It’s very unsettling!
4. Laptop or tablet – This is for in case you’ve got some work to do, correspondence to catch up on, or want to watch a show on a larger screen.
5. Headphones/earpods – so you can zone out to music, listen to your show, or politely opt out of social interaction all while being respectful of anyone else in earshot.
6. Facial tissues – You’ve got to get the good ones with aloe for crying and for blowing your nose. The treatment centers have rough single-ply tissues. I basically had a nosebleed for two months straight during chemo treatment so the cheapo tissues would wreck my nose.
7. Lip balm – Either the chemo treatment was very dehydrating or the room I was in was very drying because it was during the winter. It was probably both. In any case, you don’t want to end up with chafed and split lips on top of everything else you’ve got going on right now. I highly recommend this lip balm that smells even more amazing than it tastes and feels! My favorite flavor is “birthday cake”, but there are other delicious flavors like “angel food cake” and “gummy bear”.
8. Lozenges – Cotton mouth can be a real struggle during treatment. Supposedly some drugs can really dry you out and dry mouth can lead to mouth sores – ouch! I like these lozenges because they’re specifically for dry mouth prevention.
9. Notepad & pen – I’ve been using these notebooks for decades. And they even come in different colors!
10. Hand sanitizer – These convenient travel-sized hand sanitizers smell amazing and will keep your hands clean of those germs that could be dangerous for an immune-compromised cancer patient!
11. Hand cream – I love these hand creams because they have a light scent and absorb easily and the packaging is so cute I just can’t even!
12. Comfy warm socks – Chemo or not, fuzzy socks are always a good idea! These socks are cozy and warm AND come in funny animal prints if you’re feeling it. Here’s an alternative pair that has a sassy message! 😉
13. Slip-on slides or slip-on shoes – You don’t want to be going to the bathroom in just sock feet. Gross!
14. Book or magazine – Here’s a book that’s a good guide to breast cancer. But if you’re like me, you’ll probably want to read something light like a magazine or fiction.
15. Snacks – Don’t forget your candy, granola bars, etc. It sucks to be sitting there for hours and listening to your stomach growling away.
16. Water bottle – see #7; I like this water bottle because it’s big, comes in different colors, and is eco-friendly.
17. Neck pillow – Get either the ones for travel or a regular comfy pillow so that you can snooze more comfortably.
18. Blanket – A fluffy blanket is so comforting! You’ll be drifting off in no time. Tell them to wake you when it’s time to leave!
19. Happy things – This is anything that gets your mind off of the fact you’re there for cancer treatment; maybe pictures of good times, a fidget spinner, a stress relief ball (this even has the breast cancer ribbon on it), knitting, or a journal.
20. Tote – You’ll need a tote to carry all this stuff in! Check out the shop for totes!
21. A good friend – I saw many people bring their spouse or adult child. This is especially convenient because they can go get something that isn’t possible for you since you’re hooked into an IV. Although I hated to smell the french fries that somebody would bring back, out of jealousy, it was sweet to see the support. However, keep in mind that having someone there may keep you from getting to know your fellow chemo-treatment people. I’ve made some lifelong buddies this way and that time together was like impromptu group therapy sessions for us!

Take One Chemo Treatment At A Time

I know it’s all a lot to handle – cancer, surgery, treatments, etc. But you can do this! Just take one step at a time, one treatment at a time. Get a tote bag. Shove all this in there and get comfortable!

Was there anything I forgot? Was there something you took to chemo treatments that helped you? Share in the comments!