Ideas for treats for someone going through chemotherapy?

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

A good friend of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be starting chemotherapy next week. I'll be going to see her as soon as she feels like she wants me to (she doesn't want visitors right now), but I won't be able to visit very often because she lives three hours away from me, so I'm looking for ideas for things I can send/order for her to let her know I'm thinking of her and to try and make her life either easier or more pleasant. I know that it's common to lose your appetite during chemotherapy so treat foods - which would normally be my go-to 'thinking of you' present -doesn't seem like a good idea, and I'm struggling to think of anything much. Does anyone have any ideas?

When a friend was going through Chemo a few of us clubbed together and bought gift cards for Hello Fresh (there are other companies who do the same thing) - basically boxes containing the ingredients/recipes for lovely meals. We spent enough to order meals for a month.

The idea was she and her DH didn't have to worry so about shopping for themselves or the kids (just the mental energy of what's for dinner tonight is avoided) and her DH (not the best cook) found it easy to follow the instructions.

They said it was a brilliant present in that they had good quality food but no hassle.

The cleaner/ironer idea is fab.

My mum loved string tasting stuff - S and V Pringles and skittles were her thing!

We also all bought her a gift of fluffy dressing gown, slippers and blanket and fluffy socks as you tend to get cold when having chemo.

I'd also think about some nice bath stuff as skin can dry. And because it's likely hair loss it's nice to have something nice for bath when you can't wash hair.

An electric blanket was life changing for me when I was having chemo. I sent my friend 2 thank you cards because it made a huge difference for me - I was in and out of bed for 6 months, during the cold months, and the 5 minutes heating time was heaven. The very best present.

She may need a hat for bed. I didn't solve that one I'm afraid because all hats came off during the night - I needed a hat that fastened under my chin. Yy sexy babe but needs must..

Taking of which, people knitted me stuff and that meant the world to me. So kind.

One friend sent me a card every week as she lives very far away. I'll never forget that, so kind. Now she's going through it and I'm able to return the favour.

Ime I couldn't hack salt or pepper in my food bcs my guts were raw from the chemo. So I wouldn't be suggesting salty crisps! People made me meals and that meant so much to me.

Mostly I just needed to know I am loved. That's what did it for me. Its hard when you're sending stuff and not getting a response but be brave, it's doing the trick (and they will thank you effusively when they're better).