By Beth Cazalet
So many articles and books provide great information about what you might want to have with you when you are undergoing chemotherapy treatment to make it more bearable. Creating or receiving these chemo bags or products for chemo bags can be a very therapeutic way of taking some control during your cancer treatment. However, almost nothing I've seen tells you how to prepare a hospital bag for a longer stay or inpatient treatment, when more factors are out of your control.
I started a chemo regime of carboplatin, paclitaxel and pembrolizumab (immunotherapy) in October 2023 for triple-negative breast cancer and I was in hospital with hepatitis by December 2023. I HAD packed a hospital bag, but I assumed I would only be in overnight for a check over, not that I would be there for two weeks, so the bag I had packed was pretty inadequate.
After weeks of antibiotics and steroids, I was released from hospital. I was taken off paclitaxel and pembrolizumab, which are known for attacking the liver, and had more weeks of steroids to get my liver back to normal. I was extremely lucky that even with the limited amount of chemo I had, the drugs had shrunk the tumour enough to remove it. I now have no evidence of cancer but am back on oral chemo to be safe and to limit the potential of recurrence. My hospital bag is ready, just in case.
Below are some ideas for what to pack in a hospital bag. If you have private medical care or are lucky, your hospital may provide some of these items, so take this list as a starting point.
Day clothes/nightwear: Several sets of each. Preferably, outfits should not go over the head. Opt for button-down shirts with loose fitting sleeves so that if you have a cannula in your arm, you can take your top on and off when needed for blood tests and infusions without disturbing the cannula. Trousers with elasticated waistbands are easier than zips and buckles, especially if you have a cannula. A zip-up sweater or cardigan is also helpful. Take several pairs of underwear and socks (not just one). A dressing gown (robe) and non-slip slippers give you much greater dignity if you stay in PJs.
Wash bag and toiletries: The hospital may give you toiletries, but it is best to have your own toothbrush and toothpaste. If they end up washing you, they usually provide all of it. They may also give you towels and a washcloth, so you do not need to pack those (my hospital didn’t provide washcloths). Body lotion and lip gloss are also helpful as you can feel dried out from temperature differences compared to your home.
Eye mask and ear plugs: The hospital can be very noisy and light, making it difficult to sleep and recover. I found eye masks, earplugs and noise cancelling headphones essential (preferably headphones that you can keep on even if you roll over in your sleep).
Contact list of phone numbers and chargers: You need to have a list of people’s telephone numbers either printed out or be able to access them on your mobile phone/tablet. A good charger and cables are also important.
Details of your cancer medications, other regular prescription medications and over-the-counter supplements (like vitamins): This helps ensure that there are no adverse drug reactions and that you can get what you need. I created a spreadsheet to keep track of my cancer medicines and when I took them, which proved very useful when they were trying to figure out what I was reacting to.
Notebook and paper: These items are helpful if you have questions and want to make notes or create lists of things for people to bring to you or instructions for home.
Entertainment: A puzzle book, novel, magazine, craft activity or a tablet with some movies, TV, or music downloaded can help pass the hours, especially if you wake up in the night and need help going back to sleep.
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