Husband starting treatment

Hi again  (I do like your community name)

Good that a plan is being put together as this starts to reduce the noise between your ears...... and being nerves is normal but in reality you can't control the treatment part but can control other areas of this.

So....

- foods / drinks he may crave or be best when feeling sick

You take this as it comes, I was in hospital for 4 weeks at a time and some of the food was ok, at times I was not up to eating but lived on the soups as it was simple to take.

It depends on the type chemo but some can play with the taste buds, we found fresh pineapple and melon worked, the lad next to me was having curry flavour snacks.......  ice cream was good but I can not face a magnum now lol.

But you may be tied on being able to get stuff into him depending on the COVID restrictions at his hospital.

- comforting thing....... extra pillows etc

Some hospitals do let you take in your own pillows just ask.

Some pictures, books, gadgets that can FaceTime, headphones...... I had a flight mask as it’s never dark at night and a set of silicone gel ear plugs - the noise at night can be bad.

- clothing... linen or soft cottons?

Yes soft lose clothes, short sleeve tops as he may have a line in his arm, slippers/flip flops I never wore my dressing gown.

Jogging bottoms or even shorts and spare underwear as chemo can cause some embarrassing accidents but it just all part of the journey.

It can be cool so a zip up top can help with this.

 - practical things... extra toilet paper, sick bucket?

No need for a sick bucket they have lots and are all put into the munching machine lol

The toilet paper was ok in my units

Toiletries etc.

Will he have a PICC Line in his arm? if so you may want to get a waterproof cover but being a tight Scot I just used clingfilm and wrapped my arm and did the job.

It will be fine.

Hellooo again too Thehighlander !
(Thanks... owls were the first topic my husband and I discussed when we first met) :)

I hope these past few months have been relatively stress free, and that you've been feeling well!

Thank you for all your help and suggestions! You have allowed my mind to settle, and begin prepping.
Most information I've come accross is how the patient prepares for the actual treatment, but not necessarily the more comforting / day to day things.

You have made me remember to get a portable / pocket phone charger for his gadgets. And the idea to have photos is grand - I'll collate his loose photos of the Scottish Munros (without him noticing as a surprise)... he's really been missing your neck of the woods. And I'll ensure we are stocked with soups and fresh pineapple and maybe some boiled sweets so he can have different tastes in his mouth. 

Thank you again. The mental list is becoming more and more clear, and I can focus. 

I have time to get him a few extra bits of baggy clothing, night mask (excellent suggestion), and maybe some extra clingfilm!

Have a lovely day! And thank you for you help. I appreciate it :)
Mer. 

I am doing great, we reached day 100 lockdown last week and had not been out past the front garden but thought hang it, jumped in the car and went the shores of Loch Ness with a flask. We are slowly getting more brave but it will just take time, care and patience.

At the last count I am at 120 days in hospital over the past 6 years, you sort of get in a rhythm but it’s always good to get home. 

Once he gets the thought that this is all temporary and a means to an end the days pass well.

You may need to check on internet access. For my main chemo it was not available to we pushed up my mobile contract for that period but my 2 x 4 weeks in the Stem Cell Transplant Unit this was all free.

Some of the main things I was told at the very start was “Mike, Nausea may come along but you must not suffer in silence, man up and tell us as we have lots of tools it’s just finding the correct one. Fatigue will build up over time so sleep when your body says sleep but get up and walk the corridors this does help overcome some of the fatigue and stops the muscle wastage” and so I did take my chemo pumps for walks after every meal and was doing about 1-2 miles each day. “...... and you need to take care in Avoiding Infections“

Good on ya! It does take a lot of courage and a bit of a pep-talk in order to gain enough mental strength to leave the safety of one's home. Oh to see the gorgeous scenes of Scottish landscape! Glad you got out. There is nothing better than a good dose of nature!

I suppose with hospital stays, it can come down to mind over matter when struggling to stay positive.

Matt will definitely need reminding to speak up - he can sometimes be a little proud. But if nausea can be eased with meds, then so be it. He also battles with / against sleep sometimes... the fear of missing out is strong in him. He is one not to sit still too long, so hopefully he'll ensure to get up and move. 

WOW... I just re-read that you did 1-2 miles each day with your chemo pumps! That's quite epic!

The infection thing, is what really concerns me. But I'm keeping everything spanny and will order more cleaning & first aid supplies just in case. 

And I suppose, we'll learn as we go...