Article: What to Pack for Chemo: The CQ Bag Guide
What to Pack for Chemo: The CQ Bag Guide
The CQ Care Edit
What should I bring to my first chemo treatment?
Bring what makes you feel like yourself. This is the list we actually used, refined over multiple treatments until we figured out what actually mattered and what just took up space.
Always check with your care team before adding anything new, especially supplements or topical products.
The Basics
These are the non-negotiables. The things that make a long infusion day manageable.
A big water bottle. Hydration is the job. Bring something you actually like drinking from. We loved the bkr Big Smooth glass bottle.
Get it on Amazon →
Headphones. Music, podcasts, a show, a meditation, silence. You decide what your infusion sounds like.
A blanket from home. Most centers offer blankets, but there's something different about your own. If you want to treat yourself, the Barefoot Dreams blanket is something magical. It's the perfect hug, and it came everywhere with us.
Barefoot Dreams Blanket on Amazon →
Easy snacks. Nothing heavy. Crackers, ginger chews, whatever sounds okay that day.
Lip balm. Your lips will thank you. The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and Lip Glowy Balm were both on heavy rotation for us.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask →
Laneige Lip Glowy Balm →
Multi-device charger brick. Long days mean dead batteries. Bring a brick that can handle your phone, AirPods, and whatever else you've got.
Multi Device Charger on Amazon →
Something personal. A photo, a crystal, a charm. Whatever grounds you. Kesley never went without her crystal.
Kesley on the first treatment
The first treatment, you're going to feel compelled to bring everything under the sun. I felt like I was moving in. Over time, my bag became lighter until I only showed up with my water bottle, AirPods, a crystal, and my laptop. Bring all the things that bring you comfort. You'll figure out your essentials.
For Neuropathy
If neuropathy is a possible side effect of your treatment, ask your care team about cryo gloves and socks before your first session. Put them on about 20 minutes before the infusion starts, not after it begins.
SuzziPad Cold Socks and Hand Ice Packs. Cold therapy can be used during infusion to try to reduce symptoms in hands and feet. This brand was Blythe's go-to!
Get it on Amazon →
Theraworx Magnesium Spray. For restless legs and cramping. A game changer for the nights when your legs just will not settle. Ask your care team before using during active treatment.
Theraworx on Amazon →
For Long Days
Infusions can run long. These are the things that made the hours pass more comfortably.
ASNUG Portable Bladeless Neck Fan. Quiet, hands-free, and genuinely useful when a hot flash shows up with zero warning.
Get it on Amazon →
Queasy Drops or Queasy Pops. Easy to keep in your bag for quick nausea support between meds.
Get it on Amazon →
Lemonheads or Jolly Ranchers. For metal mouth. Sharp and sweet and it actually helps cut through the weirdness.
Get it on Amazon →
Word puzzles, crosswords, or a coloring book. Blythe swears by these. Chemo fog is real and keeping your mind active during infusion helps.
Get it on Amazon →
Blythe on staying sharp
I was gifted crossword puzzles, which kept my mind activated. Coloring books, too. Yes, I'm a grown adult. Chemo fog is real and I think doing these activities during infusions genuinely helped.
For Your Skin and Comfort At Home
These are the things we reached for between treatments.
Kitsch Satin Pillowcase. Smooth and gentle for sensitive scalps.
Get it on Amazon →
OSEA Body Moisturizing Duo. For dry, tight skin from head to toe.
Get it on Amazon →
Onyx Professional Hard As Hoof Nail Cream. For nails that feel weak, brittle, or wrecked from treatment. Layer it on and let your nails absorb.
Get it on Amazon →
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Facial Spray. For hot flashes or a midday reset.
Get it on Amazon →
ZhiGu PICC Line Shower Cover. Protects your PICC line during showers and makes bathing less stressful.
Get it on Amazon →
One Last Thing For The Bag
The CQ Bell Collection. Wear it to your first treatment, your last, or every one in between. A small, meaningful thing to carry with you through every appointment.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We only include products we have actually used. If you buy through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Always check with your care team before adding anything new to your routine.
