What should I pack in my chemo bag?

What to Pack in Your Chemo Bag
  • Reading Materials. During long days and treatments, reading materials provide you with entertainment outside of your cell phone and an opportunity to get your mind off your diagnosis. ...
  • A Jacket. ...
  • Snacks. ...
  • A Pen and Journal. ...
  • Unscented Lotion. ...
  • Headphones. ...
  • Coloring Pages and Crayons. ...
  • A Blanket.
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What comfort items are best for cancer patients in chemo?

Gifts to bring comfort

A well-chosen gift of soft sweatpants or cozy pair of socks can help make people undergoing chemotherapy feel more comfortable during their treatment. A person should consider natural, breathable fabrics that are soft and warming, as chemotherapy can make some individuals more sensitive to cold.
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What are good snacks for chemo patients?

Some quick-and-easy snacks
  • Cereal (hot or cold)
  • Cheese (aged or hard cheese, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and more)
  • Cookies.
  • Crackers.
  • Dips made with cheese, beans, yogurt, or peanut butter.
  • Fruit (fresh, frozen, canned, dried)
  • Gelatin made with juice, milk, or fruit.
  • Granola or trail mix.
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What is a good gift for cancer patients?

7 Thoughtful Gifts for Cancer Patients and Caregivers
  • A Meal Service or Gift Cards. Traveling to and from home for cancer treatments can be time consuming and tiring for both the patient and caregiver. ...
  • A Massage. ...
  • Time Off. ...
  • A Clean (or Organized) Home. ...
  • Comfortable Clothing. ...
  • A Care Basket. ...
  • The Same Gift You'd Get Them Otherwise.
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How do you cheer up a cancer patient?

What you can do: Visits
  1. Always call before you visit. ...
  2. Schedule a visit that allows you to give physical and emotional support for the caregiver, too. ...
  3. Make short, regular visits rather than long, infrequent ones. ...
  4. Begin and end the visit with a touch, a hug, or a handshake.
  5. Be understanding if you are asked .
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What to Pack in a Chemo Bag



What can you do to help someone going through chemo?

19 ways to help someone during cancer treatment
  1. Take care of the grocery shopping, or order groceries online and have them delivered.
  2. Help keep their household running. ...
  3. Bring a cup of tea or coffee and stop by for a visit. ...
  4. Give the primary caregiver a break. ...
  5. Drive the patient to appointments.
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What should I eat for breakfast while on chemo?

Here are 10 foods to eat during chemotherapy.
  • Oatmeal. Oatmeal provides numerous nutrients that can help your body during chemo. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Broth. ...
  • Almonds and other nuts. ...
  • Pumpkin seeds. ...
  • Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. ...
  • Homemade smoothies.
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What is a good breakfast for chemo patients?

Diet for Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy
  • Plain or Fruited yogurt.
  • Fresh fruit and cottage cheese.
  • Poached egg and toast.
  • Toasted bagel with a small amount of peanut butter.
  • Cereal and milk (try Lactaid® milk, or Soy milk, if lactose intolerant)
  • Chicken rice soup with saltine crackers.
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Does drinking water help flush out chemo?

Chemotherapy can be dehydrating. Drinking plenty of water before and after treatment helps your body process chemotherapy drugs and flush the excess out of your system.
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How do I prepare my home for chemo?

Stay healthy and strong.
  1. Take it easy.
  2. Don't compare your body to how it was before chemotherapy.
  3. Drink lots of water.
  4. Go for a walk every day, if possible.
  5. Try to eat something. ...
  6. Read the provided handouts regarding chemotherapy and its side effects.
  7. Try acupuncture to help alleviate pain and nausea.
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Can I have a glass of wine while on chemotherapy?

Having an occasional beer or glass of wine during chemotherapy is unlikely to have serious effects. However, because some chemotherapy drugs can interact with alcohol, always ask your doctor if it's OK to have a drink now and then. Frequent or heavy alcohol consumption during chemotherapy is generally a bad idea.
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Why can't chemo patients have ice?

You are being treated for cancer with a chemotherapy medication called Oxaliplatin. This medication has an unusual side effect called “cold dysesthesia”. This means that different parts of your body may be very sensitive to cold – cold drinks, cold food, and cool or cold outdoor temperatures.
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Can you drink coffee on chemo?

Avoid caffeine as it acts as a diuretic and draws water out of your cells, causing you to urinate more fluid than you are consuming. Stay away from strong smelling foods to avoid aggravating any disorders of taste. Avoid fatty fried, spicy and overly sweet foods, as they may induce nausea.
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How many days after chemo do you feel better?

Most people say it takes 6 to 12 months after they finish chemotherapy before they truly feel like themselves again.
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Can you eat eggs while on chemo?

After surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, extra protein is usually needed to heal tissues and help fight infection. Good sources of protein include fish, poultry, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butters, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods.
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What should you not do during chemotherapy?

A person undergoing chemotherapy should avoid eating undercooked or raw food, interacting with actively infectious people, overexerting themselves, and consuming too much alcohol. There are also things that a person can do to minimize risks during chemotherapy.
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Is Cranberry Juice Good for chemo patients?

This means increased chemotherapy dosage -- and increased toxicity to patients. The researchers note that compounds isolated from cranberries kill human ovary, brain, and prostate cells in laboratory studies. This anticancer activity seems to come from a family of chemicals called proanthocyanidins (PACs).
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Can I eat salad while on chemo?

Do not eat from high-risk food sources, including salad bars, delicatessens, buffets and smorgasbords, potlucks, and sidewalk vendors. Do not eat raw fruits and vegetables . Ask for pasteurized fruit juices.
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How long after your first chemo treatment do you get sick?

Acute nausea and vomiting usually happens within minutes to hours after treatment is given, and usually within the first 24 hours. This is more common when treatment is given by IV infusion or when taken by mouth.
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Can you eat chocolate while on chemotherapy?

Debate no more if you should eat chocolate or not. Go ahead and enjoy a dark chocolate bar (in moderation) while decreasing inflammation and preventing cell damage.
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Can you take a shower after chemo?

Personal Hygiene

Chemo drugs can dry and irritate your skin. This can lead to small cuts and other openings, which makes it easier for infections to get in. To protect your skin and lower the risk of infection: Shower or bathe daily with mild soap and a soft washcloth.
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How do you feel after first chemo treatment?

The most commonly reported side effect after receiving chemotherapy is fatigue. 7 Give yourself time for extra rest and sleep in the days after a session. Tell your healthcare provider if your fatigue begins to affect your ability to function or complete basic tasks, like bathing.
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How many rounds of chemo is normal?

During a course of treatment, you usually have around 4 to 8 cycles of treatment. A cycle is the time between one round of treatment until the start of the next. After each round of treatment you have a break, to allow your body to recover.
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How can I prevent my hair from falling out during chemo?

Wearing a scalp cooling cap during chemotherapy infusions might help prevent hair loss. These caps are thought to slow the flow of blood to your scalp. This may limit the amount of chemotherapy medication that reaches your scalp, reducing its effects on your hair follicles.
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Does chemo get worse with each cycle?

The effects of chemo are cumulative. They get worse with each cycle. My doctors warned me: Each infusion will get harder. Each cycle, expect to feel weaker.
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