Chemo infusion day can feel like a long hallway with too many doors. You don’t always know what’s behind each one, but you can decide what you carry in your hands.
A chemo bag checklist isn’t about being perfect or “ready for anything.” It’s a small act of courage. It says, “I’m showing up for my body today, even if I’m scared, tired, or mad about it.”
If you’re in treatment for Cancer, newly diagnosed, or even in remission and back for maintenance or follow-ups, the infusion room still asks something of you: time, patience, and steadiness. Packing well won’t change the medicine, but it can change how the hours feel.
Start with the bag itself (and pack like you’ll be sitting awhile)
Choose a bag you can open with one hand and lift without straining. Chemo days can leave your arms sore, your grip weak, or your patience thin.
A simple approach:
- A medium tote or backpack that fits under a chair
- A small pouch inside for meds and paperwork so you’re not digging
- A zip bag for used tissues, wrappers, or anything messy
If you use a port, a backpack strap can rub, so a tote may feel better. If you have a PICC line, you may want easy access and space for extra tape or a sleeve.
Chemo infusion day essentials you’ll regret forgetting
Some items are boring until you need them, then they feel like gold.
Bring these every time:
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A current medication list (include supplements)
- Your infusion schedule or appointment details
- A small notebook (questions show up at odd moments)
- Phone and charger (a long cord helps)
Many centers also ask for a list of allergies, your pharmacy number, or a contact person. If you want another reference point for the basics, this essentials list of what to pack for chemotherapy is a helpful overview to compare with your own needs.
Comfort items that help you feel like yourself
Infusion rooms can be bright, chilly, and busy. Comfort isn’t extra. Comfort is how you stop your shoulders from living up around your ears all day.
Clothes that cooperate Wear layers you can adjust without fuss. Think soft, loose, and easy to pull up for blood pressure cuffs.
Good options:
- A button-up shirt or a top with easy arm access
- Warm socks or slippers with grip
- Loose pants that don’t pinch your stomach
- A beanie or soft cap if you feel cold or self-conscious
Small comforts that matter
- Blanket or wrap that smells like home (even a small one)
- Eye mask if you want to rest in a bright room
- Lip balm and hand cream (dry air is real)
- Unscented lotion (strong smells can bother you or others)
- A soft pillow for your lower back or neck
Courage can look like asking for a warm blanket. It can also look like bringing your own because you don’t want to ask.
Meds and health items (the safe, organized way)
Always follow your oncology team’s instructions. If you’re told not to take a med before infusion, don’t pack it “just in case.” The goal is to be prepared, not to self-treat.
What to pack
- Prescribed take-home meds you may need after (nausea, pain, anxiety), in original bottles if possible
- Pre-meds only if your team told you to take them before arriving
- Rescue items you already use safely, like cough drops (unscented helps)
- A water bottle (if allowed), because dry mouth can sneak up
A simple safety habit Keep a one-page note in your bag with:
- Diagnosis and treatment plan name (if you know it)
- Allergies
- Emergency contact
- Your oncologist’s office number
When your brain feels foggy, paper can hold the details for you.
Snacks and drinks for nausea, weird tastes, and long waits
Chemo can mess with taste. One day water tastes like metal. Another day your favorite snack suddenly feels wrong. Packing options gives you choices when your body changes its mind.
Try a small mix:
- Plain crackers or toast-like snacks
- Ginger candy or peppermint (if these help you)
- Protein snack (nuts, cheese, yogurt drink), if your stomach tolerates it
- Mints or gum for odd tastes (unscented or mild)
Some centers have rules about outside food, and some infusion rooms are shared spaces. Pack items that don’t smell strong, and ask staff if you’re unsure.
Boredom, brain fog, and the long middle hours
Infusion time has a strange shape. There’s the start, when you’re alert. There’s the middle, when time stretches like taffy. Then there’s the end, when you’re tired and just want to go.
The right distractions don’t “fix” chemo. They give you somewhere to rest your mind.
Pick two kinds of entertainment
- Low-effort: audiobook, podcast, calming playlist
- Hands-on: puzzle book, simple knitting, coloring, crossword
If your attention comes and goes, that’s normal. Consider saving a few comforting reads that don’t require focus. Many patients like lists like this 12 items to pack in your chemo bag, then swap in what fits your personality. Your bag should sound like you.
A quiet kind of courage Bring one thing that reminds you of your life outside Cancer: a photo, a letter, a small object from your nightstand. Not as inspiration. As proof.
Hygiene and “just in case” items that prevent a bad moment
These are the items you don’t want to need, but you’ll be glad they’re there.
- Tissues and wet wipes (unscented)
- Hand sanitizer (if your center allows it)
- Spare mask (policies vary, and December can bring more coughs around)
- Travel toothbrush or mouth rinse if your team approves
- Extra hair tie or headband
- Plastic bag for trash or soiled items
If you’ve had infusion reactions before, ask your team what’s smart to bring. Most centers are well-prepared, but your comfort plan can still help.
Chemo bag checklist at a glance (copy this to your notes app)
| Category | Pack this |
|---|---|
| Paperwork | ID, insurance card, med list, questions notebook |
| Comfort | Layers, warm socks, blanket, lip balm |
| Meds | Take-home meds, only approved pre-meds |
| Food | Mild snacks, water bottle if allowed |
| Boredom | Headphones, book, puzzle, audiobook |
| Hygiene | Tissues, wipes, spare mask, small trash bag |
| Tech | Phone, charger, long cord |
For another practical perspective, this Geisinger guide on what to pack in your chemo bag can help you spot anything you might want to add or skip.
What not to pack (so your bag doesn’t become a burden)
A heavy bag can turn a hard day into a harder one. Leave out:
- Valuables you’d hate to misplace
- Strong perfume or scented lotions (they can trigger nausea)
- Too many activities (decision fatigue is real)
- Foods with strong smells
- Anything you can’t afford to lose
If you’re unsure about a specific item, call the infusion center. Rules about blankets, food, and guests can change.
Conclusion: Packing is a small way to protect your peace
Chemo asks for courage in quiet places. In waiting rooms. In the minutes before the IV. In the moment you realize you forgot your chapstick and decide you’ll still be okay.
Use this chemo bag checklist as a starting point, then make it yours. Each infusion teaches you something new about what helps. Keep the winners, ditch the rest, and let the bag get lighter over time.
If you’re chasing remission, holding remission, or simply getting through the next appointment, remember this: showing up counts. And you don’t have to show up empty-handed.
