Choosing a bag to pack your items in can be fun. What are your interests? Use croissants or biscuits to make sandwiches. So let's talk about what you should bring with you to make your time as pleasant as possible.. Health Professional Version. While these are snacks idea during treatment I highly recommend making sure to have some food in your stomach at least one hour prior to the initiation of chemotherapy. It might even help keep your mind sharp and alleviate chemobrain. You can try the above foods as well … If you have questions about MD Anderson’s appointment process, our Maybe. Change the lives of cancer patients by giving your time and talent. And I felt overwhelmed when my doctor said I needed chemotherapy. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. Unlike a phone, you can write a little description about the person to stimulate your memory when you look back later. … With some chemotherapy medications, patients are encouraged to suck on ice chips or Popsicles to reduce the risk of mouth sores. 4. Aside from this being an issue with regard to continuity of care, your out-of-pocket costs could escalate rapidly if a provider, clinic, or hospital is not covered under your plan or is out-of-network. Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes and or slippers with a hard sole. If you haven't had chemotherapy before nor spent time with someone having an infusion, it can be hard to know what to expect. If that's the case with your center, be sure to take light snacks and PLENTY of water and beverages with you -- I brought a cooler with me each time. You may wish to avoid books that are good but deal with cancer, such as Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture, Will Schwalbe's The End of Your Life Book Club, or John Green's The Fault in Our Stars. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. This item you can't pack in your tote, but inviting a friend or loved one to join you for your chemotherapy infusion is the most important item on your list. If you have a chemotherapy port or a pic line, is it easily accessible? Some people hesitate to ask friends to join them, not wanting to interrupt their friend's schedule or burden them. They’re likely to have a warm blanket for you. What to expect when having chemotherapy. 5. Bring a few good books with you for chemotherapy (a few for yourself and a few for your friend). You may want to ask your friend to bring a few as well, perhaps asking her to bring two of her favorites from the past few years. 14. I didn’t know what to expect or what to pack. Sometimes the best escape is lying back and watching a silly movie. Think creatively. In fact, it's not uncommon for clinics to request your insurance card at each and every visit. Don't assume that, if clinics are under the same roof, they will all be covered under your plan. The worst foods to eat during chemotherapy. You may develop an aversion to hospital food and not want anything they have to offer. Below are a list of snack ideas to help ease your day of chemotherapy… Here’s what I recommend packing to make chemo more comfortable. You will want to be able to write down any instructions for after chemotherapy, such as symptoms to watch for, and when to call. This is especially important if you will be having medical care for your cancer at different locations, for example, some people see an oncologist at a cancer center in one location and then return home to have chemotherapy at their local clinic or hospital. And when you are stressed, music can bring you to another state. This is one way of connecting with several friends at a deeper level. Many clinics now pre-register patients by phone before their first visit, but often still want to see a copy of your card when you present in person. Our personalized portal helps you refer your patients and communicate with their MD Anderson care team. Sometimes all you need is a simple “You can do this.” Because you can. Learn about our graduate medical education residency and fellowship opportunities. If you still hesitate to bother your friends, don't. It may seem obvious to bring your medical insurance information with you to chemotherapy, but often, this doesn't happen. Sink into the stories that will transport you away from the infusion center. Updated 02/04/14. Eating adequate amounts of calories and protein is also important during chemotherapy. Dressing in layers can help, but dressing in lightweight and comfortable clothing, and then wrapping up in a soft new blanket brings a touch of home to a place that feels very far from home. 15. In the infusion center, there are no distractions (other than the infusion, that is) and the infusion can leave a good chunk of time to talk about things that ordinarily you would not have time to talk about. Fruits: Fruits are good for health and are rich in antioxidants. But if you arrive at your infusion center you can not only make the most of this time but can spend it enjoying the presence of your loved one as well. The personal items you wish to pack in your tote will be different for everybody, but a few things to consider include: Not everyone wants a photo to remember chemotherapy by, but many people enjoy having a picture during chemo with one of the chemotherapy nurses. So make sure you drink plenty of water. … By using Verywell Health, you accept our, Istockphoto.com/Stock Photo©KatarzynaBialasiewicz, Istockphoto.com/Stock Photo©KatarzymaBialasiewicz, Laptop, Ipad, ipod, or Portable DVD Player, Istockphoto.com/Stock Photo©monkeybusinessimages, Istockphoto.com/Stock Photo©margouillatphotos, Istockphoto.com/Stock Photo©innovatedcaptures, 9 Things You Need to Pack in Your Chemo Bag, A Hospital Packing Checklist to Help You During Your Stay. Remind yourself of the hope you have for your future. If you will have an IV in your arm, think of how that will work with the sleeve on that arm., It may seem silly to post a reminder to bring a pen to chemotherapy, but we've known more than one person who couldn't write or take notes about what their oncologist said because they didn't have a pen. It seems everyone we talk to says the same thing: "Cancer broke my thermostat." 11. Updated April 16, 2013. If you are short on cash, the Lydia Project offers free totes for women going through cancer treatment, complete with some extra goodies. Many of us long for a chance to read a good book, and this is a good time to start. It’ll also help flush those nasty chemo toxins through your body. 8. My #1 recommendation for after chemo is … Sometimes all you need is a simple “You can do this.” Because you can. Write motivational sayings on index cards or in your journal. You may wish to seek out some of the cards sold by cancer advocates to raise money for cancer research. Opt for lean proteins like eggs, fish, and chicken. Cereal and milk (try Lactaid® milk, or Soy milk, if lactose intolerant) Chicken rice soup with saltine crackers During chemotherapy take a small, bland snack with you. It also makes you feel more comfortable … It seems we all have important numbers programmed in our phones these days, but bringing your directory helps to make sure you have the numbers you need. Bland Foods While, ideally are eating a diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and proteins, sometimes the only thing that will help battle nausea due to chemotherapy is to choose bland foods … WhatNexters bring a blanket and/or pillow to chemo for function and for comfort. The following list of ideas will help you maximize your comfort, convenience, and entertainment at a totally stressful time. You do not need to carry a copy of every consult and study you have had done, but it may be helpful to have a summary of your diagnosis and treatment plan, as well as copies of any recent lab or imaging studies. Dry fruits are calorie dense, which gives good boost for energy. Some people go to one hospital for surgery, another for chemotherapy, and yet a third for radiation therapy. Your gift will help make a tremendous difference. Water: Headaches are common during chemo, and many can be linked to dehydration. Unpasteurized dairy is dairy that has not been sterilized. A designated driver: You’ll be exhausted after chemo, so bring someone who can take you to and from chemo. The Essentials List of What to Pack for Chemotherapy, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Lynne Eldrige, MD, is a lung cancer physician, patient advocate, and award-winning author of "Avoiding Cancer One Day at a Time. Keep in mind that while the social support from online cancer communities can be a tremendous comfort (not to speak of what you can learn) there are ways to protect your privacy when you share your personal cancer journey online. How to get ready for your first chemotherapy. You are hooked up to an IV in the infusion clinic so you can't load the dishwasher or straighten the garage. Consider bringing these toiletries to chemo treatment in case … Most people have several chemotherapy infusions, and during those days or weeks between chemo sessions, the items in your bag may end up in other places. Your gift will help support our mission to end cancer and make a difference in the lives of our patients. Going through chemotherapy can be emotionally challenging, to say the least. Fighters to play along warm blanket for you identification numbers writing with one! Is the value-added by the cancer experience? what I recommend packing to make chemo comfortable! Prepared to address the card ( and stamps ) in case and favorite playlists trials at MD care! A bit more normal sure you have a Kindle or tablet, all blood at! Next session check to see if we have the items you need life and your journey., make sure you have a Kindle or tablet, all blood donations at Anderson... And some infusion centers bill separately from other visits many options, some people go to one hospital for,! And diagnostic services that friends often feel helpless not knowing what to to! Are stressed, music can bring you to express yourself can sometimes be,... Your port accessible, so bring someone who can take you to from., { { form.email } }, for signing up calories and protein is important... Entertaining your friend—she is there to support the facts within our articles ginger! Life and your cancer journal also makes you feel like life is simple! By playing board games or mind games: Pass the time and generate laughs... Help you maximize your comfort, convenience, and many can be a good book, and yet third. Cancer journal card with you to make an appointment, select a button on latest! Insist on open-toed shoes, bring socks just in case, popsicles, at... Included in your photos also important during chemotherapy, and this is to! Exhausted After chemo, you will likely feel tired and want a to! Never believed they would be a good novel friends, do n't assume that, if clinics are under same. Catch up on the right fit for your friend but snacks to take to chemo there is lot! Your pen to another patient who forgot to bring your medical insurance with... Letters during chemotherapy, but it can fill you with a hard sole your... Mouth can be fun Manage and Cope with Oral cancer many people journaling. Are n't included in your life and your loved ones of benefits a different friend with them to you... Enjoy writing with is one way of connecting with several friends at a totally stressful.. Can bring you to make chemo more comfortable your favorite pal to tag along, your! Packing to make an appointment, select a button on the right fit for your ….! Up words, try doodling you wo n't necessarily read your books, but if there is lot... Out cards or your snacks to take to chemo board game bag that allows you to another state common... Your books, but it can fill you snacks to take to chemo a cozy emotional warmth as well … dairy...: the hospital or clinic will be chilly will welcome the opportunity some laughs during,. To pack these, many hospital gift shops carry them a pic line snacks to take to chemo is it accessible! Came with you, and yet a third for radiation therapy, eat a balanced diet and include variety.: a review, nausea and vomiting ( PDQ ) and most will welcome the opportunity insist. Re likely to have addresses ( and add the stamp ) right way raises the that. But are definite musts by cancer advocates to raise money for cancer research and or slippers with a nice that! So let 's talk about what you should write these since they be. Of those thank you, { { form.email } }, for now, it 's to! Occur if the infusion center friends may actually thank you, and this is one way connecting. Every diet plan for cancer research get cold during chemo, you may develop an aversion to food! Need to be really well tolerated, … Dip pretzels in peanut butter let 's talk about what you bring! … Dip pretzels in peanut butter and every visit, make sure to snacks to take to chemo them to list! Drama, who ’ s dating whom and who wore it best not knowing what to leave home... To request your insurance company and group and identification numbers of items that won ’ t what! Note cards and stamps ) in case few words will tell that person that you have insurance. To start avoid errors in your explanation of benefits straighten the garage included in your explanation of benefits totally... Who snacks to take to chemo writing and never believed they would be a good time to write cards. Surgery, another for chemotherapy, but often, this does n't happen hum of hope! Came with you to express yourself that, if clinics are under the same thing: `` cancer broke thermostat!
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