Hello twink, I just bought myself an adaptive hoody from ASDA George. It is black with a zip that goes all the way up the arms. £20
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Haha I have gone a bit ott with my prepping! My list so far, in no particular order just as I remember…
Colouring book (plant themed so I can pretend I’m in the garden or in a nice room staring at plants)
Pens
Stainless steel drink flask
Ginger tea bags
A few different hats/caps/beanies (I’m going to try and wear hats instead of wig/wraps)
Non alcohol medicated mouthwash
Mild toothpaste for sensitive/dry mouth
Sensitive toothbrush heads
Huel black edition protein shakes
Night/day pill box
Frankincense Boswellia Carterii Essential Oil (for my steam diffuser. Apparently it’s got some great health benefits. I fell down a bit of a hole here)
Aveeno body oil
Polybalm nail stuff (I feel like this was a high panic spend for something that’s mostly beeswax)
Wide tooth comb
Palmers coconut leave in conditioner
Epsom bath salts
Antibacterial hand gel
Burts bees lip balm
Adaptive hoodie from ASDA
My mum also brought me an empty small first aid box to put all the anti sickness meds and stuff in. My daughter has just bedazzled this with some stickers so it looks less like a medicine box 
Considering ive stopped working my bank isnt too happy with these purchases haha nor is my husband. And some might not be necessary at all
I also had compression gloves and socks on my list but I don’t think I’ll need these until my 2nd lot of chemo, if at all. I’m undecided
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I thought cold caps made you feel cold generally. Mitts so i can use my fingers. Merino vest and tee shirt under’something’ for canula. The asda hoodie mentioned by fox… looks good but a bit late to get one now. Hmm. Ive got a motheaten poncho. Should have a picc line for next time. Have you thought of anything else?
Some good tips there!
I have a poncho type jumper ive had in my wardrobe since my breast feeding days. I might take this as well if I have room in my bag. Thank you for the reminder
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2 hours is quite a journey. How are you managing it. Are you being driven?
Hello there , I’m a November starter! Just to say I bought the Asda hoodie but sent it back as , despite zips looking useful, it was still too hard to get on as not supposed to raise arms over head with a picc line. I prefer to just use a short sleeved top and then a nice throw/ pashmina type thing over the top for warmth
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Thanks for the tip @nib32 I’ll keep the price tag on it until I get my picc and see if I can get it on safely. Its quite big on me so I might be able to wiggle through
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I wear the Asda adaptive tops & I have a picc line. The nurses didn’t tell me not to raise my arms above my head , I can get the top on without raising my arms over my head. regardless, I do my post surgery exercises which require raising my arms above my head & I exercise.
I find the adaptive tops so useful with a picc line.
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@foxgem I’ve found Burts Bee’s lip mask an absolute lip saviour (their range is so good!) and I’m glad I invested in Polybalm too - my nails are suffering a little after 3 cycles of TC but would have been way worse without it! I also did a lot of panic buying but am glad I did as it made me feel better placed to face chemo 
x
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Paint your nails with black nail polish it’ll help preserve your nails 
difflam and Biotene mouth slosh helps preserve mouth get your teeth checked before fraying chemo your dentists will get you in thermometer to keep track of your temperature during chemo use your rapid response cards if something doesn’t feel right even with no temperature phone your units they want to get you safely through if your wee burns but no temperature ring them it’ll be a uti and need antibiotics if you get thrush mouth ask for fluconzole tablets not the drops get some senokot or movicol the steroids can block you up sorry if tmi. hang onto each other you will get each other safely through I was part of Oct17 chemo gang and we still speak daily 
Shi xx
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@twink1 to the other lists I’d definitely add a decent “in the ear” thermometer. And also decent face moisture - my skin is very dry - I’m loving Aveeno. If you’re having cannulas you might want some arnica for bruising (Neals Yard do a nice one). I got nice hats and caps from Etsy (am also not doing wigs). And as you’ll need to drink loads to flush the chemo out get some nice flavoured squashes, fruit juices (I dilute mine with water), etc. as well as tea. Hope that helps!
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Oops - I just ordered one! Where exactly does the picc line go in! Can’t you expose the area while you’re wearing the garment to give them access??
Oh, I think the hoodie with it’s zips will give perfect access for PICC line, but what I meant was that I found it difficult to get the garment on and off in the first place, which for me defeated the object 
But it’s probably just personal preference and me being a bit cautious with PICC line . For me, short sleeved tops are just easier and then it’s also not necessary to buy lots of new clothing. Having said that, Asda adaptive clothing is very reasonably priced and super easy to return if you change your mind, so no harm in trying!! Wishing you all the best !
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thanks. Just wondering what the advantage of an ear thermometer is?
Ref tips, Apols if it’s already been mentioned but I’d recommend polybalm for your nails. It’s expensive but effective in protecting your nails. I wear black nail polish all the time too.
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@twink1 I have a Braun ear thermometer too, the hospital had recommended it for accuracy so I got one based on that if that helps! x
I’ve just realised it’s March!!!
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Just odd - I hadnt had a digital thermometer before and went on all sorts of websites comparing the types and the recommendation for adults was the under tongue ones. I didnt think to ask at the hospital, though.
Ears would have been easier. Mine’s Braun too, I think. Thanks.
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Just waiting to go in for my first neoadjuvant chemotherapy (EC)… Best of luck everyone xx
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