P.K.
I tunes card if she has iPod, etc to listen to music. Usually at chemo, everyone dozes off and on. Books but it really is hard to concentrate. You have great suggestions for home.
Hello!
I have a good friend who will be starting back on chemo this Monday. Her breast cancer is back and she will need some nodes removed as well. She lives out of state and I do have an order in at our church for a prayer shawl.
I thought she could bring the blanket with her for treatments. I have not experienced chemo treatments so I'm not sure what type of items would be helpful for me to include in this gift. My husband has another form of cancer but has not needed chemo yet. I would greatly appreciate any advice on what else I could include in this gift. I bought some organic herbal tea but I wasn't sure if that would be appropriate and also thought of some warm soft fuzzy slipper socks and maybe an inspiring book? any titles would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!!
I tunes card if she has iPod, etc to listen to music. Usually at chemo, everyone dozes off and on. Books but it really is hard to concentrate. You have great suggestions for home.
You are thoughtful. Google Chemo gifts. I just did.
http://www.squidoo.com/giftscancerchemo
Give a Tote Bag or Basket Filled With:
Can't find something on the list? Check below for links
Thick soft socks
Warm fleecy blanket
Knitted hat
Hypoallergenic, all-natural hand and body creams
All-natural soaps, shower gels and shampoos (fragrance free)
Gentle toothpaste (try Tom's brand, very good, also their mouthwash)
Colloidal oatmeal soap
All-natural healing lip balm
Mints, lemon drops and gum
Peppermint tea
Green tea
Ginger tea
Ginger capsules
Queasy Drops
A mug with an encouraging message
Packets of instant chicken noodle soup
Plain crackers, sugar cookies, low salt nuts, dried fruit
like figs, pineapple, cherries, blueberries
Healthy, all-natural, organic, preservative free treats like Yum Yum Snacks
Crystallized ginger
Gourmet peanut butter like PBLoco
Audio books
MP3 player or Ipod
Selection of notecards with pre-stamped envelopes
Prepaid phone calling or SMS gift card
Gift certificates for restaurants that deliver
Books or magazines they will enjoy or be inspired by
Your ideas sound perfect!
What about an instrumental CD or iTunes gift card?
Lotion.
Book.
Fuzzy socks.
Tea.
Cute mug.
Magazines. (Chemo times can vary from an hour to most of the day)
Does she have a kindle? Maybe can Amazon gift card?
ETA: do you know about cleaningforareason? 3 freeontjly housecleaning a for any woman getting cancer treatment!
My mom had a different kind of cancer but she was always cold during chemo. Socks, blanket, scarf, sweater, etc. Her diet was very very limited so I wouldn't include any food items, unless you know it is something that worked for her the 1st time. Chemo is long and boring. Most people I know either go with a friend to keep them company, watch a movie, read, or write letters/notes/email. So you could include some note cards and stamps, magazines or a book, a movie, or gift certificates to buy a book or online movie. Does Netflix do gift certificates? I have no idea, but there's probably something like that. The exhaustion following is killer and my mom was pretty much in bed for 3 days straight after each treatment. The exhaustion is cumulative and worse the longer treatments go on. If it's in your budget, a house cleaning service is awesome, or prepared meals to be delivered or frozen (primarily for the rest of her family). Write her a nice note and make a phone date so you can chat during one of her treatments. My mom was always a little annoyed that everyone who talked to her talked about cancer first. She understood and knew they were trying to be supportive, but she really really missed normal conversation, so make sure you talk about regular stuff too. :)
Music! An iTunes card so she can choose her favorites to help her through the time. And an iPod to use the card with, if she doesn't have one.
I like your tea idea and your fuzzy slipper idea.
You might send her a text or an e-mail every day just to tell her you're thinking of her and praying for her. Don't say anything that will require her to respond (she may not be up to it) but your words will help her.
My mom was always cold, so a soft robe and slippers would probably be good. Also she wore knit caps alot, even to sleep, because she lost her hair and it made her cold. Soft ones though.
A gift card for the cafeteria in the hospital (if that is where she is getting her treatment) would be nice, too. If they do things like that. My mom's hospital had a Wendy's and a Starbucks. My dad would go get coffee at Wendy's and they would often eat there as well.
As it goes on her taste buds my react differently to things. My mom adored marmalade before Chemo, but said it tasted like lard during her treatment. She also said Pepsi, another fave, tasted funny. She craved acidic things like tomato sauce and ate alot of pasta though. So if you do a food gift card for take out or anything get it for someplace that has a variety of foods, like Applebees or something like that, as opposed to something specific like Mexican or Chinese.
Good morning,
Go to the website "Phil's Friends".
You can request a care package be sent to her.
It is a wonderful organization that not many people
are aware of.
Karen
My mom's skin was always super sensitive and dry during her chemo for breast cancer. She really liked a particular hand cream that was fragrance and dye free. I can't recall the name.
I just wanted to say that it is awesome that you are thinking of sending your friend items while she is going through chemo. May God Bless You.
To add to Grandma T's list a journal with pen to write in.
I didn't do chemo but the journal sure helped me with my thoughts. Traveling back and forth in the car for treatment, I played relaxing inspirational music to calm my inner being.
Your thinking of her in her time of need is something she can never repay you with with words. It means a lot to her to know that you thinking of her.
the other S.
PS Little things mean a lot when you are in treatment of any kind.