What will she need?

You are so thoughtful to put together something for your sister. I have a huge list to choose from of things I found useful.
 Simple face wash can be used on the face and scalp. Your sister can ask for a medical exemption certificate from her GP practice which covers all prescriptions. She will need a moisturising body wash - again unscented and moisturising body creams. Generally eczema products work well for all this, eg aveeno. A good brow pencil for when eyebrows fall out (after about 3 months) is useful. And a good greasy hand cream like Vaseline intensive care. The best quality gloves for any washing up or cleaning to protect her nails. And along similar lines, poly balm for her cuticles. And a good quality nail strengther and some emery boards (file don’t cut nails). Things like moisturising facial mask from simple, or a hydrating foot treatment are lovely when you are having a bad day. And a notebook was useful too. lip balm - unscented helps. And hypomellose eye drops for gritty eyes. A pair of decent sunglasses to protect eyes from the wind. And some cotton PJs too. 
Good luck to your sister with her chemo xxxx

For chemo day, some sweets to suck when she has her cyclophosphamide are handy. X

Thank you so much! I’ve been out and bought most of what’s on your list, thanks :) 

@zephyr 's list is really useful and includes nearly everything your sister will need. Check she has both laxatives and immodium in her cupboard as if  you need  them ( and many people use both during the chemo)  you don't want to have to wait to go shopping. Also a ginger infusion is very soothing if you feel nauseous or are physically sick. Hopefully, she won't react badly but just in case eating becomes difficult, glucose in the ginger drink will help keep energy up.

Finally my unit advised a non alcohol mouthwash twice a day from Day 1 until chemo was finished. I'll never know if it was just coincidence but I never got an ulcer or sore mouth. It isn't a difficult routine and during the taxotere I added extra washes if my mouth just tingled. It's certainly something I would recommend because I know those who do get ulcers find them agonising and it may have been the reason I didn't.....

Hope all goes well for your sister. She is half way there having your thoughtful support......

Take care. Love Karen

That is a good point Karen - I had difflam mouth wash on prescription, but bought my first bottle from the pharmacy. I also bought interdental brushes instead of floss as they were gentler on my gums. A non-foaming toothpaste like sensodyne is kinder to the gums and if thats too much you can get biotene on prescription. I got on well with sensodyne and never needed softer toothbrush heads. Many things are given on prescription by your GP or as a goody bag as you leave the chemo unit each time! I should have taken a bag just for all the medicines they gave me on chemo 1. Am pleased to say that on subsequent chemos I was given far less.

Your sister is going to be well prepared!

xxx

• Hi please may I ask how you access the @zephyr’s list ? 
  Thank you

It's just in her postTilly. above mine..I just agreed with all she suggested. No one quite knows what they'll need. Some people don't prepare and don't need anything either. Some chemo units or oncologists give out lists and prescriptions but others expect you to buy or contact as you need. My own unit gave me my prescription in advance and a beautician came to the first session to outline possible problems with hair, scalp and nails and how to prevent them. Others have to guess or rely on these threads. My cupboard looked like a pharmacy but over the next 9 months, there was little I didn't use from time to time!

I'm imagining you're waiting to start chemo too Tilly so I wish you well. These next few months may not be easy.....although some people react less with few difficulties....but you will be on the road to recovery. My own cancer was in 2015 and has stayed clear so far. Take care.

Dear Tilly, Good luck with your chemo. At the start your skin, teeth and nails seem fine but starting with looking after those well from the beginning can help with preventing things getting out of hand later on. I was all for prevention is better than cure. Actually, I still need nail strengthener now a few months after chemo as my nails tend to be a bit fragile. Try to get your medical exemption certificate from your GP practice so that you can get things on prescription for free - eg the mouth wash and eczema creams, though you may need some in your cupboard to start with as the GP may not prescribe until later. Everyone is different in how their body deals with chemo, but slower gum repair, skin and nail repair are really common. Its amazing how fast chemo flies by in the end, seems so slow going to begin with and then before you know it your are finished and out the other side. Wishing you the best of luck xxx