Your first chemotherapy infusion can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, and the best thing you can do is show up prepared for a long, unpredictable day. Beyond the medical side, which your care team handles, what you bring with you makes a real difference in how comfortable and in-control you feel. Here’s a practical breakdown of what to pack, wear, eat, and organize before that first appointment.
How Long to Plan For
Most people are surprised by how long the first visit takes. The infusion itself might run anywhere from 30 minutes to four or more hours depending on your specific drugs, but that’s not the whole picture. Before the chemo drugs even start, your team will typically administer pre-medications: a steroid to prevent swelling and nausea, an antihistamine to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, and one or more anti-nausea drugs. These are given through your IV and can add 30 to 60 minutes on top of the infusion time. Add in blood draws, vitals, pharmacy wait times, and the nurse checking on you afterward, and a “two-hour infusion” can easily become a four- or five-hour visit.
Ask your oncology team for a time estimate specific to your regimen so you can plan accordingly. For your first session, block out more time than you think you’ll need.
What to Wear
Your body temperature can swing from cold to hot and back again during treatment, so layers are essential. A good base layer is a short-sleeved shirt, which gives the nurse easy access to draw blood or start an IV in your arm. If you have a port implanted in your chest, wear a V-neck or button-down shirt instead so the nurse can reach it without asking you to change.
Pair that with sweatpants or yoga pants in a light, breathable fabric. Infusion chairs are usually recliners, and you’ll be sitting for hours, so comfort matters more than anything else. Bring a light sweater or zip-up hoodie for when the room feels cold, and consider packing an extra shirt in case you sweat through the first one. Skip tight waistbands, stiff jeans, or anything that feels even slightly restrictive when you’re sitting for a long stretch.
Food and Drinks to Bring
Eat a light, bland meal before you leave the house. Good options include toast with a poached egg, plain yogurt with fruit, a toasted bagel with a thin layer of peanut butter, or chicken and rice soup with saltine crackers. You want something in your stomach, but nothing heavy or greasy that could make nausea worse.
Pack small snacks for during the infusion too. Crackers, bananas, melon slices, applesauce, and liquid yogurt all travel well and are gentle on the stomach. For drinks, stick with low-acid options like apple juice, grape juice, or plain water. Avoid orange juice, lemonade, or anything citrus-based, which can irritate your digestive tract. Sip small amounts every 30 minutes or so rather than drinking a lot at once.
After treatment, hydration becomes even more important. Water is best, but broth, clear soup, sports drinks, popsicles, herbal teas (ginger and mint are good choices), and weak black tea all count. Staying well-hydrated helps your body flush out chemotherapy byproducts over the next few days.
Entertainment and Comfort Items
You’ll have a lot of downtime in the infusion chair, and the pre-medications (particularly the antihistamine) may make you drowsy. Pack for both possibilities: something to do if you’re awake, and something to help you rest if you’re not.
- Phone and charger: A long cord or portable battery pack is worth its weight in gold. Wall outlets may not be right next to your chair.
- Headphones: For music, podcasts, or shows without disturbing other patients.
- A book, magazine, or tablet: Something low-effort works best since concentration can be hard.
- Blanket or pillow: Infusion centers often provide warm blankets, but bringing your own pillow can make the recliner more comfortable.
- Eye mask or hat: Helpful if the overhead lighting is harsh and you want to nap.
Documents and Medical Paperwork
Your first appointment involves more administrative steps than future visits. Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of every medication and supplement you currently take, including doses. The American Cancer Society recommends keeping a simple treatment binder or folder with your appointments, lab results, and medication list all in one place. They also offer printable worksheets for tracking side effects and pain, which are useful to bring along to future visits so your care team can see patterns.
If your oncologist’s office gave you an emergency information card with your diagnosis, treatment plan, and key contact numbers, keep that in your wallet. It’s helpful if you ever need care from a provider who doesn’t have your records.
Mouth Care Supplies
Chemotherapy can cause mouth sores, and the prevention starts early. Pack a soft-bristled toothbrush and alcohol-free mouthwash (Biotene is a widely available option). Avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol, like Scope or Listerine, and skip anything with hydrogen peroxide unless your doctor specifically recommends it. A simple homemade rinse also works well: one quart of water mixed with one teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of baking soda. Rinsing every four to six hours in the days following treatment can help prevent sores from developing.
Ice Mitts and Cold Caps
Depending on your specific chemotherapy drugs, your oncologist may recommend cold therapy to protect your fingernails, toenails, or hair. If you’re receiving a taxane-based regimen, frozen gloves and socks worn during the infusion can reduce nerve damage and nail changes. The protocol typically involves putting them on 15 minutes before the infusion starts, wearing them throughout, and keeping them on for 15 minutes after. They need to be swapped out every 20 to 60 minutes as they warm up, so your infusion center will usually provide or coordinate these.
Scalp cooling caps, which reduce hair loss, require some preparation. You’ll need a water spray bottle to dampen your hair, a small amount of conditioner to create a thin layer over your scalp, a headband, and a towel. Remove any braids, plaits, or hair ties beforehand and comb out tangles so the cap fits snugly. Not every infusion center offers scalp cooling, and it doesn’t work with every drug regimen, so ask your team in advance if this is an option for you.
Arrange Your Ride Home
Plan to have someone else drive you home from your first treatment. The antihistamines and anti-nausea medications given before and during chemo can impair your alertness and reaction time. Antihistamines, benzodiazepines (sometimes given for anxiety or nausea), and sedating anti-nausea drugs are all medication classes known to affect driving ability. Even if you feel fine at the end of the infusion, you won’t know how the drugs affect you until you’ve been through it once. After your first session, you and your care team can decide whether you’re safe to drive yourself to future appointments.
Most infusion centers allow one or two visitors to stay with you during treatment. At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, for example, patients can have up to two visitors at a time, and visitors are welcome to stay throughout the appointment. Policies vary by center, so check ahead. If your companion plans to stay, have them bring their own snacks and entertainment too.
A Quick Packing Checklist
- Clothing: Short-sleeved or port-accessible shirt, comfortable pants, light sweater, extra shirt
- Food: Bland snacks (crackers, banana, applesauce), low-acid drinks, water bottle
- Entertainment: Phone, long charging cable, headphones, book or tablet
- Comfort: Pillow, blanket, eye mask, warm socks or slippers
- Documents: Insurance card, ID, medication list, treatment folder, pen
- Personal care: Lip balm, soft toothbrush, alcohol-free mouthwash, tissues
- Practical: Arranged ride home, companion’s contact info, infusion center phone number