Nobody tells you how long chemotherapy actually takes. You picture something quick and clinical, and then you find out you'll be sitting in a chair for four hours with a drip in your arm and nothing but a two-year-old magazine.
Packing a bag is one of the few parts of this you get to control. It's worth doing properly, because a good bag turns a long, cold, boring day into something much more bearable.
Here's what people who've done it tell us they were glad they brought.
How long will you be there?
Ask your unit before the day, because it varies enormously. Some treatments take an hour. Others take six or seven, once you add in blood tests, waiting for pharmacy and the drip itself.
Assume it'll be longer than you were told. Pack for that and you'll never be caught out.
Keeping warm
This is the one thing everyone mentions. Chemo units are cold, the drugs go in cold, and sitting still for hours makes it worse.
- A light blanket or a big soft scarf, and there are plenty of people who take one from home purely because it smells right
- Warm socks, ideally a pair you can pull on over tights or with slippers
- Layers you can add and take off, because you may swing between freezing and boiling in the same hour
- A soft hat, which matters more than you'd think
Your scalp loses a surprising amount of heat, and if your hair has started to go, a cold room feels very different. A bamboo or cotton chemo hat is breathable enough that you won't overheat and soft enough to sit against a tender scalp for hours. If you'd rather have a scarf, a pre-tied head scarf pulls straight on with no mirror and no fiddling in a hospital toilet.
What to wear
Think about where the line goes in. If you're having treatment through your arm, wear short sleeves or something with sleeves that push up easily. If you have a PICC line, a port or a Hickman line, you want a wide neckline or a button-front top so the nurses can reach it without you having to undress.
Beyond that, comfort wins. Soft waistbands, nothing tight, nothing scratchy, and layers.
Food and drink
Most units offer tea, coffee and biscuits, but the choice is limited and the timings won't suit you.
Bring your own water bottle, because staying hydrated genuinely helps and you'll drink more if it's sitting there. Pack a few snacks you actually like, plus something plain like crackers in case your stomach turns.
Sugar-free boiled sweets or mints are worth a mention. Some drugs leave a metallic taste in your mouth, and something to suck on helps.
Passing the time
Four hours is a long time. Plan for it.
- A tablet or phone loaded up before you go, since hospital wifi is unreliable and you don't want to be fighting it
- Headphones, ideally with a long cable or good battery life
- A phone charger and a power bank, and this is the item people forget and regret most
- A book, a magazine or a puzzle book for when your eyes are tired of screens
- Something to do with your hands, like knitting or a crossword
Audiobooks and podcasts suit people who feel too woolly to concentrate on reading. Comfort watching works too. This isn't the day for anything that demands your full brain.
Comfort for skin and mouth
Hospital air is dry, and some treatments make things drier still.
- Lip balm, which is the small item people are most grateful for
- Hand cream, fragrance-free if you can
- Tissues
- A little bottle of water spray or a fan if you get hot flushes
The practical bits
- Your appointment letter and hospital number
- A list of any medicines you take, including anything you buy over the counter
- Your chemo helpline number, saved in your phone and written on paper
- A notebook and pen, because you'll be told a lot and you might not remember it
- Any anti-sickness tablets you've already been given
- Parking money or a card, and check whether your hospital offers free or reduced parking for cancer patients, as many do
The notebook is worth taking seriously. Write your questions down before you go, and write the answers down while you're there. Nobody takes information in properly on day one.
Can someone come with you?
Usually yes, though space varies and some units limit numbers, so ring and check. If you can bring someone, bring them. Having a second pair of ears is genuinely useful, and the journey home is easier with company.
You may also not be allowed to drive yourself home, depending on your treatment.
What to leave at home
- Anything valuable
- Strong perfume, on you or on anyone coming with you, because smells can be a real trigger
- Big meals with a strong smell, out of courtesy to everyone else in the room
- A packed schedule for the rest of the day
Keep the day itself clear. Even if you feel fine afterwards, and plenty of people do, you don't want to be rushing anywhere.
The bag you'll want by the end
Once you've done one session you'll know exactly what you need, and most people end up with a permanent chemo bag that lives by the door. It gets refined every cycle. The blanket stays, the ambitious novel gets swapped for a puzzle book, and the snacks change completely.
If someone you love is starting treatment and you want to help, putting this bag together for them is one of the kindest things you can do. There are gift ideas here if you're not sure where to begin.
One last thought
The first appointment is almost always the worst one, and not because of the treatment. It's the fear of the unknown that makes it hard. By the second session you'll know where to park, which chair you like, which nurse makes the good tea, and how long you've really got.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a first chemotherapy session take? It depends on your treatment. Some take an hour, others take six or more once blood tests and pharmacy waits are included. Your unit can give you a realistic estimate, and it's worth packing for longer.
What should I wear to chemotherapy? Loose, comfortable layers. If you have a port or a line in your chest, choose a wide neckline or a button-front top. If treatment goes into your arm, wear sleeves that push up easily.
Can I eat during chemo? In most units, yes. Bring your own snacks and a water bottle, because the choice on offer is usually limited and you'll want things you actually fancy.
Should I wear a hat to chemotherapy? Many people do. Chemo units run cold, and a soft hat keeps your head warm without irritating a sensitive scalp. It's a personal choice rather than a rule.
