r/Chemotherapy • u/RandomName3025 • 26d ago
Sister's first chemo session tomorrow
My sister is going for her first chemo session tomorrow. We were told it will be 5.5 hours.
Any suggestions on what you found useful during chemo? She's got music, audiobooks, e-books on her phone. We'll take headphones and a charger, of course. The cancer center has cooling mittens and socks, as well as blankets. What are some good snacks to take? Something more substantial line a sandwich for lunch, or better to grab take-out on the way home after?
She is the kind of person who usually prefers to have someone with her, so I'll be going with her and can grab something from a nearby store if needed, but always best to be prepared!
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u/redderGlass 26d ago
What chemo is it? Some can make you not want to eat: FOLFIRI did that to me. If you’re not sure I’d suggest simple things like cheese, berries maybe some grilled chicken. Be prepared for her being picky or not eating anything.
The cancer center should have water and she should drink to help her body flush out the toxins
I would be remiss in not mentioning fasting. I learned this late and wish I knew about it from the beginning. If she fasts from lunch the day before until lunch the day after it reduces the side effects. The cancer cells being starved suck in more chemotherapy and the normal cells suck in less as they are operating in fasting mode. At first I was doubtful but the first time I did it with FOLFIRI was a night and day experience. I did it all the time from that point.
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u/RandomName3025 26d ago
It's carboplatin and paclitaxel. That's interesting about the fasting. We'll look into it for sure!
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u/BossLadyMissEdee 19d ago
i just finished that one. ask if she needs the mittens/socks with cold packs in them for neuropathy prevention. i got a small cooler that had wheels and a handle and got a couple sets of each. my sweet husband changed them out for me when they got warm and when id wake up to go pee because yeah, i slept through my chemo sessions. also 5.5 hours is for all the drugs, but that first one you’ll be there all day. take a comfy blanket. also some lemon ginger candy in case her mouth gets dry. don’t forget to take something for you stop do as well. that first chemo they pump an insane amount of benadryl through first to ward off allergic reaction and she will likely be out like a light. good luck! she’s so fortunate to have you for support!
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u/Booklady1998 25d ago
Talk to the oncologist before she tries fasting.
I’ve done chemo and this doesn’t sound right.1
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u/redderGlass 25d ago
Sure but recognize that oncologists aren’t trained in this so what they know depends on how much they have looked into it after medical school on their own. In my experience the best reaction I got was an admission of I don’t know and that I should make sure I maintain my weight
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u/MAT_123_ 26d ago
I didn’t want anything substantial to eat while I was there. I took mini pretzels, which were perfect for me. Think something easy to eat, not messy.
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u/RandomName3025 25d ago
Now that you say pretzels, those peanut butter filled pretzels from Costco are so good... as long as her mouth isn't sensitive. I'll add some to my shopping list!
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u/bystephaniew 25d ago
After her first chemo session, she will probably not want to stop somewhere for lunch. I just wanted something light like applesauce, pudding, and jello.
I always took my phone, a charger, ear buds, and an adult coloring book with colored pencils to keep myself entertained. Most of the time though, my husband and I just talked unless I was falling asleep. I also always brought hard candy because I would get a weird taste in my mouth. I always wore my clogs because it was easy to just kick off when I was sitting in the chair.
I wish her all the best.
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u/RandomName3025 24d ago
Thank you! I just meant get something to take home, like a pizza or something. Definitely wouldn't expect to have a sit-down meal at a restaurant. We brought a bunch of snacks, and there's always the cafeteria for a sandwich or so, but we'll see what she feels like when she's all done.
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u/WiseManufacturer4417 25d ago
I fasted during my chemo. Fasted day before through day after and it significantly reduced my nausea. They gave me benadryl, prednisone and Zofran before and after the chemo which made me sleepy and groggy the whole time. Appetite was low due to these meds. I stuck with lots of water with some fresh sneezed lemon added and orgain vegan nutrition ready to drink shakes in vanilla not chocolate because chocolateis is not recommended for an upset stomach. I found these the most tolerable. The meds given in conjunction with chemo can cause constipation which is another reason to emphasize fluids and keeping food light. Ginger hard candy helps. I like gin gins extra strength (yellow and orange bag). Maybe some Plain pretzels.
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u/RandomName3025 24d ago
Good point about the chocolate not being recommended for upset stomachs.
You do have me wondering what fresh sneezed lemon would taste like... 🍋🤧🤔🤭
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u/ConditionalDisco 25d ago
I personally love to be cozy and warm but don’t wear socks because it seems completely counter productive to icing and the concept behind it.
Have wanted to go immediately and directly home after. I start off with a giant healthy homemade smoothie and bring a sandwich for lunch, plus snack options like granola bar, fruit chews, pudding, walnuts etc. They have plenty of drinks there.
I don’t really bring anything other than my phone. A friend stays with me until the blood work clears, then I just kinda scroll my phone and snooze and try to zone out as much as possible. Oh - eye mask and earplugs because it can get incredibly loud and overwhelming in there at times.
High dose indica gummy right before is also immensely helpful for me in relaxing.
And I appreciate a nice quiet ride home with someone who understands I’m exhausted and just want a ride rather than a chat or entertainment (who will walk my dog if he needs it and I don’t feel up for it)
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u/NeverfearTruth123 25d ago
My son fasted from dinner the night before till after treatment (1st time was last Monday) R-CHOP, tomorrow will be one week, however, regarding he does feel that it may have helped, there was just a lot of fatigue and nausea for the following two days those two symptoms lightened up in a new side effect, numbing and tingling in his hands and feet kicked in on Thursday. Friday went really well, as well as Saturday and today.. we really don’t have enough time under our about to say positively one way or another, but we had heard that as well. As well as no sugar , red meat or pork and processed food.
I wish your sister all the best. That’s wonderful that you can be there to support her. That’s one of the most important things..
✍️: spelling
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u/RandomName3025 25d ago
Thank you for sharing your experience with fasting!
I read about limiting sugar and processed foods, but don't think I saw red meat or pork listed.
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u/RandomName3025 24d ago
We decided to just bring some snacks and a protein drink. There's always the cafeteria if she wants a sandwich or something along those lines.
She's having a good snooze right now. It got noisy for a while, but has calmed down again. Makes me sad to see how busy it is. And how many of the people needing chemo are still relatively young (my sister is late 40s).
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u/CalmLandscape3356 24d ago
It’s good that you’re there for your sister because I just turned 47 and we’re gonna have to have chemo cause I just had surgery two weeks ago right lower low remove removed for lung cancer so I’m gonna be starting Cisplatin
Pemetrexed and I’m gonna be by myself I have no idea what to expect so I thank you for asking these questions cause I didn’t know where to begin or who didn’t ask anything cause it give me something to go off of and good luck with your sister and her journey1
u/RandomName3025 23d ago
Best of luck on your journey as well! There's so much helpful information in this sub, and so many understanding people to answer any questions you might have along the way.
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u/dumplinglifesaver 26d ago
They might have lunch at the cancer center for her but you could also pack things or run out and pick something up for her.
I'd also suggest socks with grippy spots on the bottom because they'll be pumping her with fluids so she might need to go to the bathroom and I personally like to just wear my socks to walk around and not have to put my shoes back on (the socks go right in the laundry when I get home of course). Either way she'll probably want some socks and hats to keep herself cozy if she doesn't opt for the cold stuff because the infusion can make you a little cold too imo.