I was listening to Kylie Kelce’s podcast recently when she shared her postpartum gift guide. What I loved about it wasn’t that it was groundbreaking. It was practical.

There were no luxury gift baskets. No expensive gadgets. No “treat yourself, mama” nonsense.

It was a list of things that solved actual problems.

And as I listened, I found myself nodding along and thinking, “Yep. That’s exactly how support should work.”

It also made me wonder what my chemotherapy version would look like.

Because when people hear “cancer,” they often imagine dramatic moments. What they don’t think about are the weird little annoyances and side effects that take up an incredible amount of space in your life.

The things that make you think, “Well, this wasn’t in the brochure.”

So in honor of Kylie’s postpartum survival kit, here’s my chemotherapy survival kit. Not necessarily the things that looked impressive. The things that actually helped.

The 12 Things That Actually Got Me Through Treatment

Ice Gloves and Ice Booties

Kylie talked about postpartum ice packs. My version was significantly less glamorous.

I had Taxol, which can cause peripheral neuropathy. My oncology clinic actually had a deep freezer dedicated to frozen gloves and booties. The idea is to reduce blood flow to your hands and feet during treatment and potentially reduce nerve damage.

Were they comfortable? Absolutely not. Did I wear them anyway? Like my future ability to button a shirt depended on it. Because honestly, it kind of did.

A Bidet

Kylie’s list included adult diapers and plenty of postpartum products designed to make bathroom trips less traumatic.

My recommendation is a bidet. Trust me.

Chemotherapy can do weird things to your digestive system. Between medications, dehydration, and general treatment chaos, things can get…sensitive. I’ll spare everyone further details. Just get the bidet.

Stool Softener

This one is not sexy. It is also not optional.

There are few things more humbling than battling cancer and being taken down by constipation. I said what I said.

The Softest Pajamas You Can Find

Kylie recommended cheap baby onesies because babies are basically tiny stain-generating machines.

I’m recommending one really nice pair of pajamas. During treatment, there are days when your entire goal is simply to exist comfortably. A soft pair of pajamas that makes you feel even slightly human is worth every penny.

Bonus points if they make you feel a little pampered. Cancer steals enough things. Let your pajamas give something back.

A Thermometer

This sounds ridiculously boring until your oncologist asks what your temperature is. Then suddenly it becomes the most important thing you own.

A fever during chemotherapy isn’t just annoying. It can be a reason to call your oncology team or head to the emergency room. Get a good thermometer and know where it is.

Popsicles

Nobody told me that mouth sores would become a thing.

Popsicles became one of the easiest ways to soothe irritation and stay hydrated. They’re also one of the few things that sounds appealing when everything else tastes weird.

And if you’re receiving a chemotherapy regimen associated with neuropathy, sucking on ice during treatment may even help reduce some side effects. The fact that “doctor’s orders” occasionally involved eating popsicles felt like one of the few perks of the whole experience.

Lubricating Mouthwash

There are products you buy because they’re exciting. This is not one of them.

This is a purchase that says, “I would like my mouth to stop feeling like the Sahara Desert.” Highly recommend.

Nail Strengthener

No one warned me that my nails might try to quit their jobs halfway through treatment.

Chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells, and unfortunately your nails get caught up in that process. A good nail strengthener won’t stop everything, but it can help when your nails start becoming brittle and angry.

Healthy Snacks

I learned very quickly that treatment days and treatment weeks are different things.

There were days when I felt fine and days when finding something that sounded edible felt like an Olympic event. Having healthy, easy-to-grab snacks around was incredibly helpful. For me, protein mattered. Hydration mattered. And anything that required minimal effort got bonus points.

The Beverage That Makes You Happy

Kylie included an adult beverage. I personally didn’t drink alcohol during treatment.

What I did discover was that having a favorite drink became weirdly important. Sometimes it was sparkling water. Sometimes it was a vegetable-based fizzy drink that made me feel like I was making responsible life choices. These days I enjoy a THC beverage, which my oncologist cleared for me.

The specific drink doesn’t matter. The tiny moment of enjoyment does.

Lotion. Lots of It.

Everything gets dry. Everything. Skin. Lips. Hands.

And if treatment pushes you into menopause, as mine did, dryness becomes a whole personality trait. One warning: scents can become surprisingly offensive during treatment. Find one you love.

Hand Sanitizer for Visitors

Your immune system takes enough hits during treatment. You do not need someone’s surprise strep throat adding to the fun.

Wash your hands. Use sanitizer. Love people from a safe distance when necessary.

Shop the full chemo survival kit

Most items on this list are in one curated collection, so you’re not hunting for links buried in the story.

View the chemo survival kit collection →

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The Most Important Thing Wasn’t a Product

Looking back, every item on this list helped because it solved one small, very real problem before it became a bigger one.

A bidet does not make chemotherapy charming. Ice booties are not spa day energy. But having the right things ready can make treatment days, recovery days, and the weird in-between days a little less chaotic.

You cannot control everything about chemo. Your body may react differently each cycle, and what helps one person may not help another. But you can prepare where you can. Have the thermometer, the soft pajamas, the snacks, the hand sanitizer, and the people lined up before you need them. Chemo is scary and draining, but the practical stuff matters more than people realize. Sometimes, less chaotic is a very big win.

Don’t want to be the one buying all of this yourself?

This is exactly what a GiftWellSoon registry is for. List the specific things you actually need — down to the thermometer and the pajamas — in one place, and let the people who want to help pick from the list instead of guessing.

Start your GiftWellSoon registry →

FAQ

What should I put in a chemo survival kit?

Focus on practical, unglamorous items that solve specific side effects: ice gloves/booties for neuropathy prevention during infusions, a thermometer for fever checks, stool softener, lip and skin lotion for dryness, popsicles or hard candy for mouth sores, and soft pajamas for comfort on rough days.

Why do oncology clinics use ice gloves and booties during chemo?

Cold therapy during infusion reduces blood flow to the hands and feet, which may help lower the risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy with certain drugs, such as Taxol. Ask your oncology team whether it’s appropriate for your specific regimen.

Why is a fever a big deal during chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can suppress the immune system, so a fever during treatment can signal a serious infection and often requires an immediate call to your oncology team or a trip to the emergency room. Keeping a reliable thermometer on hand is a simple but important precaution.

What's the best gift for someone going through chemo?

Skip the luxury gift basket and ask what would actually help with day-to-day side effects, things like mouth sore relief, dry skin, digestive discomfort, and comfort during long treatment days tend to matter more than anything ceremonial. A registry is often the easiest way to find out exactly what's needed.

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