The first chemo session can feel like a lot—emotionally, physically, and logistically—for both the patient and the caregiver. A little preparation goes a long way: ask the care team key questions ahead of time (what to expect, what’s normal, and when to call), pack a few essentials to make the hours more comfortable (blanket, water, snacks, entertainment, and a notebook), and bring a steady, flexible mindset so you can stay present. Before you leave, bring a checklist of after-session questions (meds, side effects to watch for, what to do at home, and when to contact the clinic) so you feel prepared once you’re back home—no worries, DewDew helps you handle all of it.
“Tomorrow is my loved one’s first chemo. What should I expect? How can I prepare and support them?”
If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’re not alone. Many caregivers feel a mix of anxiety, uncertainty, and responsibility before their loved one’s first chemotherapy session. Even with information from doctors and nurses about the procedure and potential side effects, it’s natural to feel unprepared or unsure of how to provide the best support.
That’s why we’ve put together five key ways to help you prepare, support, and reduce stress—for both your loved one and yourself.
1. Ask Questions Before the First Chemo Session
Before chemotherapy, you should already know some key information, such as:
- How long will the session take?
- What side effects should you expect immediately and in the coming days?
- How to manage those side effects?
📞Usually, the care team will call your loved one to provide detailed instructions about their upcoming chemotherapy treatment, including the procedure and what to expect before, during, and after the session.
If you don’t have this information, don’t hesitate to call your care team and ask before the chemo session. It will help reduce a lot of anxiety and help you plan your schedule better.
2. Pack a Bag with Essentials
For Your Loved One
Comfort and distraction can make long chemotherapy sessions more manageable. Pack their favorite snacks, water, books, a tablet, or headphones to help your loved one stay comfortable and engaged.
Some clinics provide TVs, internet access, or blankets, but others may not. Bringing familiar items can offer a sense of routine and ease.
A book, magazine, or tablet can also provide a helpful distraction from anxiety, especially in waiting rooms where seeing other patients’ side effects, like hair loss or fatigue, can be distressing.
Staying hydrated is essential. Even if they don’t feel thirsty, regular water intake helps manage side effects, maintain energy, and support overall well-being. Encourage them to sip water regularly throughout the session. A reusable water bottle can serve as a helpful reminder to stay hydrated.
For Yourself
A notebook and pen (to jot down the doctor’s instructions), a list of questions, a calming activity, and snacks can help you stay organized and reduce stress during your loved one’s treatment.
Before or after chemotherapy, the nurse will provide information on side effects, symptom management, dietary changes, and more. Some facilities print this for you, while others may not. Even when written down, the sheer amount of information can feel overwhelming. Having a notebook and pen ensures you can capture important details and refer back when needed.
A list of questions also helps you feel more prepared for caregiving at home. What if symptoms appear over the weekend and you can’t easily reach a healthcare provider? As one caregiver shared:
"You can’t just call and ask, ‘Look, this is happening, or I can’t do this—help!’..."
Uncertainty can be stressful, especially when it’s unclear whether a situation is urgent. Another caregiver described their experience:
"…You can page a registrar if it’s urgent, but we weren’t sure if it was a real problem or truly urgent. That was probably the most stressful thing—not knowing whether we should call them in the middle of the night. It was only around 11 p.m., but we weren’t sure if we should wait until morning."
📌Check out No.3 After Treatment: Follow-up Questions Checklist on the [Toolkits](https://dewdewhealth.com/toolkits) page for a complete list of questions to ask the care team before leaving the clinic.
3. Ask for Help from Family and Friends
Meal Preparation
A chemotherapy day is physically and emotionally demanding—from driving your loved one to the hospital to staying with them during treatment and remembering the doctor’s instructions. By the time you get home, you may not have the time or energy to cook.
Your loved one may also feel fatigued and nauseous, making it important to have simple, nourishing meals ready. Don’t hesitate to ask family or friends for help with meal prep. Just share a recipe or meal preferences, and their support will take a lot of stress off your plate while ensuring your loved one has something they can eat.
Picking Up Kids or Other Responsibilities
Chemotherapy sessions can be long and unpredictable, and you may not be able to pick up your kids from school or handle other daily tasks. Ask family and friends for support—they will likely be more than happy to help.
Delegating even small responsibilities can take a lot off your shoulders, helping you feel more in control and better prepared to care for your loved one.
Need help asking, delegating, and coordinating support? Log in to the DewDewHealth App—DewDew handles it for you, with no typing and no back-and-forth.
4. Plan for Rest and Recovery After one Chemo Session
Chemotherapy affects everyone differently, but fatigue is one of the most common side effects. Some patients feel drained immediately after treatment, while others experience delayed fatigue in the following days. Being prepared for how your loved one may react can help you support them better.
✔ Monitor Side Effects
Check in with your loved one regularly to see how they’re feeling—sometimes, simple adjustments can make a big difference in helping them cope more effectively. Whether it’s offering a different meal, bringing them the medications, or calling the doctor, your support can help them feel more comfortable
To track side effects and share them clearly with the doctor, log in to your DewDewHealth app. DewDew will help you record everything—so you don’t have to organize or constantly take notes.
⚠Something to keep in mind: Some patients may hide their side effects out of fear that disclosing them could lead to treatment delays or changes. This is a very dangerous misconception, and it can make things much worse. Encourage open conversations—reassure them that reporting symptoms helps manage discomfort better. Their care team can adjust medications and provide better support when they know what’s going on.
✔ Check with the Doctor About Medications
Doctors can prescribe medications to help manage chemotherapy side effects like nausea, pain, or fatigue. However, medications can also have their own side effects. Make sure you and your loved one understand the available options and discuss any concerns with the doctor.
✔ Nutrition and hydrate
A balanced diet and plenty of fluids can help combat fatigue, but many patients experience nausea after chemotherapy, making eating difficult.
💡 How to help: Offer light, nutrient-dense meals that are easy to digest and encourage small, frequent sips of fluids to prevent dehydration.📌 Check out this article [Caregiver’s Guide: Preparing Nutritious Meals After Chemotherapy] for meal preparation tips at home.
✔ Exercise
It may sound counterintuitive, but evidence shows that exercise can help counteract many cancer-related side effects, such as relieving fatigue, improving mental well-being, enhancing health-related quality of life, and mitigating other toxicities from cancer treatments. If your loved one feels up to it and it’s safe to do it, consider taking a walk together outside. Fresh air and movement can boost energy levels and mood.
⚠ Always consult with healthcare providers to tailor an exercise plan that suits their specific needs and physical condition.
✔ Emotional Support
The first chemotherapy session can be an emotional rollercoaster. Some patients may not fully process their diagnosis until treatment begins, bringing up a flood of emotions. Additionally, physical side effects—severe fatigue, discomfort, or pain—can make them more emotionally vulnerable.
How to support them:
- 👉 Give them space—don’t take it personally if they seem distant or withdrawn.
- 👉 Let them know you’re there—sometimes, your presence matters more than words. Be there for them, bringing water, snacks, a blanket, a meal, or simply sitting with them quietly if that’s what they need.
- 👉 Respect their need for quiet time—they may need moments to process their emotions, or simply some 'me time.’
5. Take Care of Yourself, Too
🧡 Recognize That Your Emotions Are Valid—You Are Not Alone
The first chemotherapy session isn’t just overwhelming for the patient—it can be an emotional rollercoaster for you, too. Everything suddenly feels more real, and the uncertainty of what’s ahead can be daunting.You are not alone. Many caregivers share these same feelings. As one caregiver put it:
"I thought to myself, ‘I’d better steel myself for anything here because I don’t know how it’s going to affect her every day.’ I was getting a bit concerned about whether she would be in a state to stay at home on her own if I was working."
It’s okay to feel this way. Acknowledging your emotions is the first step in managing them.
💬🧡 Find Emotional Support for Yourself, Too
You’re constantly supporting your loved one—but who’s supporting you? Caregiving is hard, and you don’t have to do it alone.💡 When you’re ready, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional—someone who can listen, offer perspective, and help you navigate the emotional weight of caregiving.
🌿✨ Don’t Take It Personally—Be Kind to Yourself
Caregiving is challenging, and what makes it even harder is the emotional dynamic between you and your loved one.For instance, the pain your loved one experiences might make them impatient and trigger anger more easily. Or, you may spend the whole day planning, preparing, and cooking a meal, only for them to say they can’t eat it because the food or its smell makes them nauseous.
All of this makes caregiving especially difficult—not just the tasks themselves but also the emotional toll.Try not to take it personally (I know, easier said than done) and remind yourself that it’s not about you. It’s the pain, the side effects—it’s not a reflection of how well you are caring for them. Don’t blame yourself or be too hard on yourself.
☕ Take Short Breaks—Even Just 10 Minutes
Caregivers often push their own needs aside, but this is just the beginning of a long journey. You can’t pour from an empty cup.💡 Even a short 10-minute break—a walk, a deep breath, or a quiet moment with a cup of tea—can help reset your mind and body. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary to stay strong for your loved one.
🧘 Log in to the DewDewHealth app and let DewDew guide you through a quick self-care break tailored to what you need. Take a moment to breathe, reset, and reconnect with yourself.
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