What I Wish I Knew Before My First Chemotherapy Day
- Deborah Ann Martin
- 1 day ago
- 14 min read
What the first infusion day was really like and what I wish I had packed, asked, and known beforehand.
By the time my first chemotherapy day arrived, I had already been through two cancer surgeries.
First, surgeons removed three large tumors from my abdomen.
About two weeks later, another surgeon removed the leiomyosarcoma tumor from my back.
My blood and iron levels had created serious problems. I had needed a transfusion, repeated monitoring, and help with nearly every part of daily life.
Then I had another procedure to have a chemotherapy port placed.
Everything happened so close together that my port had been inserted only a day or two before my first chemotherapy appointment.
I assumed the port would be ready when I arrived.
It wasn't.
The cancer center staff told me it was not ready to be used, so my first chemotherapy treatment had to be given through another IV.
That was one of the first things I learned about cancer treatment:
Even when you think you understand what is going to happen, there can be details no one thought to explain.
I also didn't understand that chemotherapy could be an all-day experience.
I thought of it as another medical appointment.
You arrive.
They give you the medicine.
You leave.
I didn't know how much could happen before the chemotherapy drug ever entered my body.
There could be bloodwork, vital signs, a medical assessment, pharmacy preparation, premedications, waiting, the infusion itself, monitoring, and instructions before I could finally go home.
I didn't know what I should pack.
I didn't know whether I should bring food, a blanket, entertainment, or someone to drive me home.
And I didn't know which questions I should have asked before that first day.
Thankfully, I had Tina.
She had started treatment a few weeks before me with the same doctor and at the same cancer center. She could tell me what the experience had actually been like while it was still fresh.
My coworker Kim, who had survived breast cancer, also shared advice from her own experience.
Their experiences could not predict what would happen to me.
But they made the unknown a little less frightening.
That is what I hope this story can do for someone preparing for a first chemotherapy day.
This is not a substitute for instructions from your oncology team. Your treatment plan, medications, health history, and infusion center may be very different from mine.
Instead, consider this a list of the things I wish someone had told me:
The first chemotherapy appointment may take much longer than you expect.
Your port may not necessarily be ready to use.
You may spend considerable time waiting between steps.
You will probably have questions you didn't know you needed to ask.
And a few simple things in your bag—a charger, comfortable clothes, something to eat if permitted, and something to help pass the time—may make a difficult day a little easier.
Most of all, I wish I had known that being prepared does not mean knowing exactly what will happen.
It means knowing what to ask, knowing who to call, and giving yourself permission to be a first-time patient.
Here is what I learned.
My Port Could Not Be Used Yet
The purpose of the port was to provide reliable access for repeated chemotherapy and blood draws.
But mine had been placed very close to the first treatment date.
The site had not had enough time to heal, and the cancer center staff said it was not ready to use.
That meant the first chemotherapy treatment had to be given through another intravenous line.
I had undergone a procedure to prepare for chemotherapy, but I was sitting there unable to use the device.
That was another reminder that cancer schedules do not always unfold neatly.
A port can be useful for people receiving repeated intravenous treatment, but the timing of access depends on the device, placement procedure, healing, verification, and the medical team’s instructions. Ports also require monitoring for infection, blockage, clotting, and other complications.
The First Day Included More Than Chemotherapy
Before an infusion, the team may need to confirm that the body is ready to receive treatment.
That can include checking:
Red blood cells and hemoglobin
White blood cells
Platelets
Kidney function
Liver function
Weight
Temperature
Blood pressure
Current symptoms
Recent surgery or wound healing
Medication changes
Signs of infection
Side effects from earlier treatment
For me, the blood counts mattered greatly because I had already experienced severe anemia.
The chemotherapy team needed to know whether my body had recovered enough to begin another demanding treatment.
The Medicine May Not Be Waiting When You Arrive
A new patient may imagine chemotherapy bags sitting on a shelf, ready to be connected.
Cancer drugs often require careful preparation after the medical team confirms the treatment plan, laboratory results, dose, and patient condition.
The pharmacy may need time to prepare and verify the medication.
That means there can be waiting between each step.
A long chemotherapy day does not necessarily mean something has gone wrong.
It may reflect the safety checks required before powerful drugs are administered.
Premedications May Come First
Chemotherapy patients may receive other medicines before the main drug.
Depending on the regimen, premedications may be used to help prevent or reduce:
Nausea
Vomiting
Allergic or infusion reactions
Swelling
Pain
Other treatment effects
The exact medicines and timing depend on the chemotherapy plan.
Some may make the patient sleepy.
Some may affect appetite or blood sugar.
Patients should ask what each medication is called and why it is being given.
Tina Helped Me Prepare Emotionally
Tina had begun treatment before me.
Because she had the same doctor and was receiving care only a few weeks ahead, she could tell me what the experience was like at that time and in that cancer center.
She could describe the process while it was still fresh.
She warned me about side effects.
She talked about her hair.
She helped make chemotherapy feel less like a dark unknown.
Kim, my coworker who had survived breast cancer, also gave me advice. Her experience came from an earlier time and a different cancer.
Both helped.
Tina’s advice felt like information coming from someone just a few chairs ahead of me.
A Fellow Patient Can Tell You What the Brochure Does Not
Medical staff explain medication, safety, and side effects.
Another patient may tell you:
The room feels cold.
Bring something to do.
The day may be longer than expected.
Food from home may be easier.
Wear clothes that allow access to the port or IV.
Keep a charger in your bag.
Ask where the restroom is before the infusion begins.
Do not assume you will feel sick immediately.
Do not assume you will feel fine either.
Write down what happens because the first day can become a blur.
Peer advice should not replace instructions from the cancer center.
It can fill in the ordinary details that help a frightened person feel prepared.
What to Ask Before the First Chemotherapy Day
Call the infusion center and ask:
How long should I expect to be there?
Should someone drive me?
May someone sit with me?
What are the visitor rules?
Will I have laboratory work first?
May I eat before arriving?
Should I take my usual medicines?
Should I bring my prescribed nausea medicine?
Will the port be used?
What clothing makes access easier?
Is food available?
May I bring my own snacks?
Is there a refrigerator or microwave?
Does the infusion center provide blankets?
Can I use my phone, tablet, or laptop?
Is Wi-Fi available?
What should I do if I feel sick during the infusion?
Which telephone number do I call after hours?
The American Cancer Society recommends asking in advance about how long treatment may take, whether a driver is needed, whether a support person may attend, and what the center allows patients to bring.
A Practical Chemotherapy Bag
A chemotherapy bag may include:
Photo identification
Insurance information
Medication list
Allergy list
Treatment calendar
Notebook and pen
Phone
Long charging cable
Headphones
Book, puzzle, tablet, or other entertainment
Sweater or loose jacket
Soft blanket if permitted
Comfortable socks
Water bottle
Approved snacks
Mints or gum if helpful
Lip balm
Tissues
Hand sanitizer
Prescribed medications
A small pillow
A face mask if needed or preferred
A ride-home plan
Do not pack every possible item for the first visit.
Ask what the center already supplies. I loved the warm (but thin) blankets.
The most useful bag is one you can lift comfortably and keep close to your chair.
Wear Clothes That Work With the Treatment
Comfortable clothing matters during a long infusion.
For a chest port, the nurse may need access to the upper chest. A loose or button-front shirt may be easier than a tight top.
For an IV in the hand or arm, sleeves should be loose enough to roll up without restricting blood flow.
Other useful choices may include:
Layers
Slip-on shoes
Stretchy pants
Clothing that is easy to manage in the restroom
A sweater that can be worn without covering the access point
The infusion center can explain what works best for the planned access method.
Bring Food You Can Tolerate
A long appointment may overlap with breakfast or lunch.
The center may provide snacks, but the choices may not fit the patient’s nutrition plan, allergies, diabetes, nausea, or preferences.
Possible options include:
Crackers
Nut butter
Cheese
Yogurt if safely stored
A sandwich
Nuts
Fruit
Protein drinks approved by the care team
Ginger products
A simple meal in a cooler bag
Patients with immune suppression should follow food-safety guidance from their oncology team.
Strong-smelling foods may bother other patients who are already nauseated.
The Room May Feel Cold
Infusion centers are often cool, and intravenous fluids may make some patients feel colder.
A soft blanket, sweater, or warm socks may help.
Ask before bringing an electric heating device or anything that could interfere with medical equipment.
Some centers provide warmed blankets.
A small comfort can make a long medical day feel more manageable.
Prepare for Waiting
A first chemotherapy visit may involve long periods when nothing appears to be happening.
You may be waiting for:
Laboratory results
The oncologist
Treatment approval
The pharmacy
A chair
Premedications to work
The infusion to finish
Observation afterward
Discharge paperwork
Bring something that does not require intense concentration.
Cancer anxiety can make reading a complicated book difficult.
Simple entertainment may work better:
Familiar television programs
Audiobooks
Music
Easy puzzles
A journal
Short videos
A quiet craft the center allows
Resting is also acceptable.
You do not have to turn chemotherapy into a productive workday.
Write Down the Treatment Names
Ask for the written names of:
Every chemotherapy drug
Every premedication
The dose when appropriate
The infusion schedule
The cycle length
Home medications
Emergency medicines
The date of the next treatment
Also ask:
What side effects are most likely?
When might they begin?
Which are expected?
Which require a call?
Which require emergency care?
When will blood counts be lowest?
What temperature is considered a fever?
What should I do about nausea, constipation, or diarrhea?
The National Cancer Institute’s "Chemotherapy and You" guide encourages patients to understand their treatment schedule, side effects, and when to contact the medical team.
Do Not Judge the Entire Treatment by the First Hour
Some chemotherapy side effects happen during the infusion.
Others develop later that day or over the following days.
A patient may leave the first appointment feeling better than expected and then experience fatigue, nausea, pain, appetite changes, mouth problems, constipation, diarrhea, or other effects later.
Another patient may react during the infusion and require immediate medication or changes.
Each drug has its own pattern.
Each body responds differently.
The fact that Tina experienced one side effect did not mean I would experience it in the same way.
Her experience helped me prepare.
It could not predict mine.
Ask About Safety at Home
Some chemotherapy medicines or their breakdown products may remain in urine, stool, vomit, blood, and other body fluids for a period after treatment.
The cancer center may provide special instructions for toilet use, laundry, cleanup, sexual activity, pregnancy prevention, caregivers, or handling spills.
The time period and precautions depend on the drug.
Patients should follow their center’s written instructions rather than relying on a general online checklist.
Know the Infection Rules
Chemotherapy can reduce infection-fighting white blood cells.
Patients should know:
The temperature that requires a call
Who to call after hours
Whether to take fever-reducing medicine before calling
What symptoms may indicate infection
When to avoid people who are sick
When blood counts are expected to be lowest
Whether food-safety precautions are needed
Fever during chemotherapy can require urgent medical attention. Ask your oncology team exactly what temperature they want you to report and which number to call, including after hours.
Follow the oncology team’s specific instructions.
Know the Blood-Clot Warning Signs
Cancer, recent surgery, chemotherapy, limited movement, and a venous catheter can all contribute to blood-clot risk.
Call the medical team promptly or seek emergency care as directed for symptoms such as:
New swelling in one arm or leg
Unexplained pain or tenderness
Warm or discolored skin
Sudden difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Coughing blood
A rapid or irregular heartbeat
Knowing the signs does not mean a clot will occur.
It means the patient can respond quickly if one develops.
Have a Ride Plan Even When You Expect to Drive
Some patients drive themselves to and from chemotherapy.
Others need a driver because of:
Sedating premedications
Weakness
Nausea
Dizziness
An infusion reaction
Pain medication
The length of the day
Anxiety
Medical advice
Before the first treatment, arrange someone who can drive or remain available.
A patient should not discover at discharge that she is too sleepy to drive and has no safe way home.
The First Day Can Be Emotionally Heavy
The first chemotherapy appointment carries more than medication.
It may represent:
Proof that the cancer is serious
Fear of losing hair
Fear of nausea
Fear of infection
Fear that treatment will not work
Relief that treatment is finally beginning
Gratitude for another option
Anger about needing it
Hope and dread at the same time
A person may cry before entering the building.
Another may joke.
Another may remain quiet.
There is no correct emotional response.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me
I wish someone had told me chemotherapy could take most of the day.
I wish I had received a simple packing list of things to bring, including a long phone charger.
The infusion center may provide some of the items you need, so ask what they already have available before filling your bag with things you may not need.
But remember that chemotherapy can be a four-hour day or longer.
A few simple comforts, such as a long charger, something to keep you occupied, comfortable clothing, and an approved snack, can make those hours a little easier.
I wish someone had explained all the steps that happen before the medication begins.
I wish I had known that the pharmacy might prepare the drug only after my bloodwork and examination were approved.
I wish I had understood that the port might not be usable immediately after placement.
I wish someone had told me to bring a long charger and comfortable layers.
Most of all, I wish every new patient were introduced to someone like Tina.
Not to receive medical instructions from another patient.
To hear:
“I did this recently. Here are the little things that helped me.”
Why This Belongs in Surviving Life Lessons
A medical brochure explains chemotherapy.
One survivor may explain how to live through chemotherapy day.
While another tells you about blood counts and side effects.
The other remembers that your phone may die before the infusion ends.
One explains why the medication is being given.
The other tells you to bring warm socks.
Both forms of knowledge have value.
That is the kind of bridge I want Surviving Life Lessons groups to create.
Professional information should guide medical decisions.
Shared experience can make the experience more understandable and less lonely.
A First Chemotherapy Day Checklist
Before Leaving Home
Confirm the appointment time.
Ask whether bloodwork is required first.
Follow eating and medication instructions.
Check for fever or new symptoms.
Pack identification and insurance information.
Bring an updated medication list.
Arrange transportation.
Charge electronic devices.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Bring approved snacks and water.
Write down questions.
At the Cancer Center
Report new symptoms.
Confirm the drug names.
Ask about premedications.
Ask how long treatment should take.
Tell the nurse immediately about burning, pain, itching, breathing problems, chills, or other changes.
Ask for written home instructions.
Confirm the after-hours telephone number.
Schedule the next appointment.
Before Going Home
Ask when side effects may begin.
Confirm how to take nausea and other medicines.
Ask what temperature requires a call.
Review body-fluid precautions.
Confirm port or IV care.
Ask whether driving is safe.
Know when laboratory tests will be repeated.
Make sure someone knows you are home.
Hope for Today
The first chemotherapy day may feel like crossing a line.
Before that day, chemotherapy is something the doctor has discussed.
After the first infusion begins, it becomes part of your body and your life.
You may not know what to pack.
You may not know how long you will be there.
You may not know how you will feel afterward.
Ask questions.
Bring comfort.
Write down the instructions.
Arrange a ride.
Allow someone to sit beside you when permitted.
And remember that another patient’s experience can prepare you without predicting your future.
Tina was a few weeks ahead of me.
For part of my journey, that was enough to make the unknown feel less lonely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the first chemotherapy appointment take?
It varies. Laboratory tests, medical review, pharmacy preparation, premedications, the infusion itself, and observation can make the first visit longer than later treatments. Ask the center for an estimated range.
Should I eat before chemotherapy?
Follow the oncology team’s instructions. Many patients can eat a light meal, but recommendations vary according to the drugs, laboratory tests, nausea, diabetes, surgery, and other factors.
Can I bring food to the infusion center?
Many centers permit food, but rules vary. Ask about storage, allergies, strong smells, visitor restrictions, and immune-safety guidance.
Can a newly inserted port be used immediately?
Sometimes, but not always. The timing depends on the procedure, healing, position verification, and the medical team’s decision.
Should someone drive me home?
Ask the care team. Sedating medications, reactions, weakness, and other effects may make driving unsafe, especially on the first day. I always had a ride there and back. Somedays, I thought, I didn't need to waste someones times. Other times, I was so exhausted that I was glad for someone else to be driving.
What should I report during the infusion?
Tell the nurse immediately about pain or burning at the IV or port, itching, rash, chills, dizziness, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, throat tightness, or any sudden change. I had never been allergic to any medications, but was to the pre-treatment medicine.
Will I feel sick as soon as chemotherapy begins?
Not necessarily. Some effects occur during treatment, while others begin hours or days later. Preventive medication can reduce some symptoms.
Is it safe for family members to be around me afterward?
Usually, but the center may recommend temporary precautions involving body fluids, toilet use, laundry, or sexual activity. Follow the written guidance for the specific chemotherapy drugs.
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References
**American Cancer Society. “What to Expect on Your First Day of Chemo.”**
**American Cancer Society. “Chemo Infusions or Injections.”**
**American Cancer Society. “Chemotherapy.”**
**American Cancer Society. “Chemotherapy Safety.”**
**American Cancer Society. “Intravenous Lines and Ports Used in Cancer Treatment.”**
**American Cancer Society. “Preparing for Cancer Treatment.”**
**National Cancer Institute. “Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer.”**
**National Cancer Institute. “Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer.”**
**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Understanding Your Risk for Blood Clots With Cancer.”**
**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Cancer and Blood Clots Infographic.”**
About the Author:
Deborah Ann Martin is the founder of Surviving Life Lessons, a published author, poet, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of management experience across multiple industries. An MBA graduate, U.S. veteran, single mother, and rare cancer survivor, Deborah brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her writing on resilience, leadership, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Her mission is to empower others with practical wisdom and real-life insight to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose.
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