How to Pack a Chemo Bag

Until you know how you (and/or your friend) will react to chemo, it is better to pack things that others have found helpful and entertaining during their chemo treatments. Below is a list of items that could be packed into the starter chemo bag.

Chemo Bags for Adults

• Wam blanket


• hard candies


• bottled water or ginger ale


• book or magazines


• pen and journal (or a notebook)


• craft materials


• comfortable slippers


• Kindle or other reader


• Peppermint or Ginger tea (for nausea)


• Stress ball


• MP3 player

Chemo patients need to drink a lot of water. The ginger ale sometimes helps because many chemo patients find that it helps reduce nausea. Ginger candies also work. Cancer patients also find that keeping a journal of their chemo treatments helps. A pen and journal would be perfect inside a chemo bag. I packed a pen with a cross on it for my friend. Chemo patients often get chilly, so a warm throw cover and slippers are very appreciated.
For Kicking Cancer Chemo bagscreated by a fellow cancer patient, visit Kicking Cancer Chemo bagschemo bags for sale

Even with a medi-port, the needle going in to start the chemo can cause a bit of an "ouch!" Lanacane, or another topical analgesic can be applied over the medi-port 30-60 minutes before chemo and then wiped off before chemo is started. It helps reduce the "pinch" of the chemo needle.

Chemo visits often take a lot of time. While the chemo treatment alone can be anywhere from one to several hours, most patients must first get blood drawn and then see the doctor. When I go with my friend, we are sometimes at the hospital for 6 hours. It can be a long, boring day for everyone involved. However, not only should entertaining items be included in the bag, but things such as planners, so while at the doctor, the pateint can have it handy to pencil in their next appointment. Planners are a big help for those in Chemo because there are so many things to keep track of.
Kicking Cancer Chemo bags

Sadly, even some little children must undergo chemo. Although the situation may be difficult, packing a chemo bag that is cheerful and special helps to ease the hardship on chemo day. A special stuffed animal or toy, along with several games helps keep their minds occupied. Special slippers and a blanket or shawl also come in handy. Many of the same things that go into an adult chemo bag can also go into a childs chemo bag, but try to pack something special each time.

Child Chemo Bags

• Hard candy or gum (you may use sugar free)



• Toys and a special stuffed animal



• A special blanket



• Puzzles and games



• coloring books and/or story books

Kicking Cancer Chemo bags

Many people, or at least some who go for chemo have a chemo buddy go with them. A chemo buddy is there just to listen, chat with, laugh with, cry with, or just be there for the cancer patient. Chemo day can be a long one. Often, blood draws and a doctor visit are scheduled on the same day as chemo, which itself takes several hours. A chemo buddy spends a lot of time just waiting.

The chemo buddy bag has many of the same things as the regular chemo bag, plus anything else the person thinks they may need. Chemo patients are often served lunch or snacks while getting treatment, so a chemo buddy should be prepared to pack their own. Sandwiches, chips, a soda or juice, even a piece of fruit packs well into a chemo buddy bag. My friend always felt awkward that they would offer her something to eat if I didn't have anything. Packing my own lunch and snacks helped solve that problem.

Like the regular chemo bags, a journal and pen is a good idea. There are a lot of things that go through a chemo buddy's mind and it is good to jot down thoughts, ideas...or just doodle pictures. Jounaling can be fun, and it can also be theraputic.

Have fun packing a chemo buddy bag. It helps to have these things for when you are just waiting, but it also helps to have comforting things in there for when the chemo reactions are bad. No one ever knows what to expect with chemo, so each visit may be different.

It doesn't take long for the Cancer, the condition, to become a part of every day life. On top of the time it takes to see doctors and get the chemo, there are life changes that must be made. Even if it isn't mentioned, it is present every day of the patient's life. The best thing to give someone who has cancer, and is undergoing chemo is your time. Listen to them if they want to talk. Don't press conversation if they just want you there, but they don't want to talk. Chemo bags are functional, but they should also be fun. They should be a source of respite from the chemo, even while undergoing the treatment, if that makes sense.

The picture in this module is of the Kicking Cancer Chemo bags which are created and sold by my friend, Rose.