Make sure to read my previous posts about Chemotherapy if you would like to have more specific information about it.
On the practical side, I made a list of 10 items that were really helpful to me during Chemotherapy.
This list includes items that were useful both during and after each infusion, making my therapy day more comfortable and bearable in the hospital, or helping to fight the side effects afterwards.
Nothing works better than meds, but sometimes a little extra can help too.
1 – Comfortable clothes
Spending 4 hours on a reclinable armchair with an IV connected is not that comfortable. Loose clothing, jumpsuits, leggings made it less elegant but as comfy as it could be.
I was always dressed in layers in order to fight the annoying hot flashes that menopause gets to cause (you can go from feeling cold to sweaty hot in a matter of minutes).
2 – Head scarf
From the second infusion on I didn’t have my hair anymore, so I tried to wear a wig. It helped making me feel more “normal” at first, but I gave up on it and opted for the more comfortable solution of a head scarf after 2 hours. The head scarf I have been using was some sort of pre-shaped elastic cap that I found online – it was a lifesaver, both for therapies and for day-by-day life
3 – Headphones
I used headphones a lot during therapies, surprisingly for 2 different purposes.
The first one was obviously for listening to stuff on my phone: Music, Radio programs, podcasts, movies, tv series, and so on.
The second one was for me to be pretending to listen to something, when I was really not in the mood for chatting with other people, especially in a language I don’t quite understand (and this was, most of the times, the case 😅)
4 – Pre-downloaded music playlists, tv series and movies
A set of ready to use distraction tactics, even when there is no internet connection available.
5 – Charger or backup battery
Using my smartphone a lot during my therapies, I had to make sure my phone battery wouldn’t die on me in the middle of things, so always having a charger or a backup battery with me was very important.
6 – Blanket
Especially during the second part of my Chemo, it was a must.
Since I used to fall asleep during the infusion, I could either use it as a proper blanket (unless I was right into one of my “hot flash” moments), or even folded and used as a pillow.
7 – Drinks and snacks
It always is a good idea to carry something to eat and drink with you, both for actual hunger and thirst but as a timekiller as well. During this period, I got obsessed with chickpea chips and crispy sesame bars.
It was even better when I had someone (Francesco) with me, that could provide for fresh butter croissants and tea (Coffee and I, we were on a break during this period) 🥐☕🧡
8 – Ginger
Ginger was life during these difficult times. Ginger tea, ginger candies, ginger whatever, ginger everywhere. It really helped to fight nausea, gastric reflux and all the stomach related issues.
9 – Cold mask
A nice trick against severe headaches, these special masks contain water beads and they can be stored inside the fridge or in the freezer, and taken out and used when needed. Make sure to keep them away from food, though, as they might retain the odors and I could smell them from miles away!
10 – Books and e-readers
Kindle e-readers are easier to carry and can contain more than a single book, so they are very practical. I still prefer real books though. Real books are the best.
I used to read alot, both as distraction tactics and for informative purposes.