Gift inspiration needed for friend undergoing cancer treatment

[doradoo]

My very best friend is currently in surgery (mastectomy and reconstruction) and is due to remain in hospital for the next five days or so.

Im looking for ideas of what I could send her once she's home to make life a bit easier - im unfortunately overseas so can't be there so limited in what practical help I can be.

If you've had this kind of surgery, know someone who has, what sort of things did you want?

A friend had similar recently
I got a basket and filled it, first with a small soft blanket; one small enough to be folded into a small bag when/if going for chemo or radiotherapy.
A couple of pairs of soft fluffy socks - if not moving much feet can be one of the first things to go cold and are so difficult to heat up once cold. Made sure the tops weren't tight, in case of oedema.
Small bottles of sensitive and none scented hand cream, body butter, lip salve, vaseline.
A nice notebook and pen
An extra long charger for her phone/tablet.

I don't know how many were absolutely necessary but I do know she absolutely loves the little blanket as it is so soft and so transportable.

I've had a single mastectomy no reconstruction. The things I found useful were tops with zips so I didn't need to lift my arms too much in the first few days, comfy bed socks and nice toiletries for when I could finally have a bath.

Food - meals for the fridge. Lots of them. With puddings.
A genuine offer to give her a lift anywhere she needs.
Shopping. Just do her weekly shop.

IME practical stuff is so much more than some bubble bath.

A kindle, magazine subscription, audio books? Something like that (and some beautiful flowers).

Very sorry for your friend and it's difficult to know what she will want in the fortnight after surgery. I had a lumpectomy last summer; it went well but she will be told to spend the fortnight after surgery taking things easy.

She will need a supply of soft bras/tight crop tops to change x2 daily... I liked the Chantelle soft bras and some really cheap ones I found in TKMaxx best... and I'm still wearing them. I needed reading material to while away the hours, so if she has a Kindle, then an Amazon token to buy some books for it. She won't want a lot of skin products for a month, until the dressings come off. Unscented is a good call but the breast care nurses will advise you to stick to very simple products without fancy ingredients: bio oil and liquid paraffin feature highly. Nice cotton PJs? Very soft loose tops with front buttons mainly. The long charger cable is a good shout.

I hope this helps, and she recovers well. I was lucky and was able to get up very soon and was out walking the dog a few days later, but only short distances, but gentle activity and doing the exercises she will be given is encouraged. I was able to resume Pilates cautiously after four weeks or so. If she's scheduled for radiotherapy, she will need to be able to lie with her arms stretched above her head for 30 minutes at a time, so the exercise programme is designed to achieve that. And send a hug from a random stranger who's been there!

Thank you all!

Have just heard she's in recovery abs surgery went well - so relieved

Looking at cashmere socks, possibly zip up easy tips then.

Her DH cooks so food not necessary- but will send cake/flowers

Feel helpless being unable to do anything on person.

Am glad the surgery went well.

About flowers, Flowercard.co.uk do a lovely range that don't need any arranging etc. Just a little water now and again and no mess to clear away.

Have a look at the company not another bunch of flowers. Has some brilliant ideas for presents for people undergoing treatment for cancer.

A restaurant voucher for when she’s feeling up to going out.....something nice to look forward to

When recovering from an op, I enjoyed an adult colouring book (and coloured pencils) - very therapeutic.

Also, a fairly light book, ie. Not War and Peace, but a chick lit.