What's Inside YOUR Chemo Bag?

     I did promise you a look inside my Chemo Bag--so now is the time!  Like I said, you may find yourself coveting some items in my bag, if you don't already covet the sassy and saucy bag itself.  I don't recommend you get cancer just to have a reason to get a rockin' Chemo Bag--treat yourself to any items and enjoy them in full health!  I feel like I'm the celebrity whose purse contents are featured in whatever that brain-candy magazine is--full of product placement and then enough regular-folks' stuff to make you say, "Oooh, I'm just like Beyonce! She has random crumpled tissues in her purse, too!"
    

Let's deconstruct (I can't insert photos properly to save my life--excuse this mess):

Chemo Brain Notepad: I use it to write down questions for the oncologist and to write down what she and the chemo nurse tell me, because I can't rely upon my brain to remember everything. Although, that could just be me and have nothing to do with Chemo Brain. 
Big Water Cup:  I want to avoid having to get up and down a million times to fill the small cups available there--I already have to get up a million times to use the bathroom.
Tissues:  Well, of course.  Beyonce...
iPod:  With my 111-song Chemo Jam playlist at the ready.
Noise cancelling headphones: Earbuds can allow your jams to interfere with someone else's chemo juju zone, so these ensure that I alone am enjoying my tunes.
Cozy socks:  Dude, I'm getting comfortable in chemo!  Not gonna wear shoes for 7 hours in a chair.
Neck pillow:  This is one of those "heat it up in the microwave" dealios...mmmmmm.
Quilt: We already talked about The Quilt being a fixture in chemo.  There is a ready supply of heated blankets there that I can combine with the quilt if I'm feeling chilly.  And you do end up feeling kinda chilly during chemo--if it's the temperature they are maintaining in the room or just a result of the drug cocktail or both, I don't know.
Eyedrops:  I'm spending a lot of time in chemo sleeping with my contacts in...gets a little dry in the eyes, despite all the liquids being dripped in.
Lip Balm:  Yes, you can get dry lips even with all the liquid
Phone charger:  Don't want to run out of juice while you are there, as you may want to play some Candy Crush (I know, so lame, I'm a victim of pop culture) or text your kids, or take a chemo-selfie, or what have you.
Unscented hand lotion:  Are you noticing the dehydration theme going on here?  And unscented because you don't want the aroma of your lotion to attack someone else's nose and make them feel nauseated...even if you think it smells great at the time.
Magazine:  Short attention-span reading material, if you're feeling it.
Book:  Longer attention-span reading material, if you're feeling it.

Coloring Books:  Oooooh, adult coloring books.  That doesn't mean X-rated coloring books (get your mind out of the gutter), just coloring books for grownups. 
Colored pencils/pens:  Regular, metallic, and neon...I don't go halfway with my colors, dude.
     Many of these items have been gifted to me by wonderful friends--I would not have had such a bounty of cool stuff otherwise.  I have many options for reading material and coloring books...I can rotate among them so my bag doesn't weigh a zillion pounds.  No Cheetos in the bag because I fully intend to consume the ones we are paying for in the Drug Den...and I suppose if there were no Cheetos that day I could manage to cope with it.  Same with not bringing my own snacks; they have granola bars, trail mix, chips, juice, yogurt...lots of snacks available. This is not a good thing if you tend to eat to combat boredom. But good to have available anyway. 
     Seven hours spent in the Drug Den with me would be as exciting as watching paint dry--but for me it doesn't feel that long. I'm either sleeping or just in this focused zone in my head.  It is only at the end when they are getting the patch ready and I know I'm almost done that I get a little antsy.
    Random notes about chemo side effects:  So, you got the gist of the dehydration...I think chemo gives you dry skin, and then the winter season makes it worse. But having dry skin on your bald head...what's up with that?  Seriously, I have to put lotion on my head?!?  Bald guys, do you have to do that?  Ever?  And, although I was chugging along the track ever-so-steadily toward menopause, chemo pretty much put me on the bullet train to Menopause World. Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200.  Oh my word, the hot flashes!  Some of you know of what I speak--good grief!  And again with the bald head--having to whip off the snazzy head wrap because my scalp is breaking out in a sweat during one of those glorious episodes, well, gee whiz.  The things I never anticipated when joining the Cancer Club.  

Chemo:  It's not just a job, it's an adventure.

     I have been doing my best to enjoy my last several days before Round 3; sadly the spirit is more than willing to be out and about and do lots of things, but the flesh is much weaker than I thought it would be--I tucker out way too fast these days.  I'm feeling all "baby needs a nap" after an hour or two of socializing or pretty much just being upright and functional outside my home.  I'm working on acceptance of this new reality and anticipating the probability that this fatigue, because it is worse than it was the first round, is going to have a cumulative progression.  The result of all the "I'm so tired" is that I feel more than a wee bit like a slacker and a sponge and a mooch with all that everyone is doing for me; I know I am not supposed to feel that way and that I should be focused on resting and my health and all that good stuff.  And I am working my way through all the negative self-talk and will hopefully put those counter-productive thoughts to rest soon.  It's just harder than I thought to let go and accept and be in the moment and deal with what IS rather than what I wish things were right now.  But I'll get there.  I am really looking forward to crossing Round 3 off my list--I'll be halfway done! That's worth a high five right there!