Gift ideas for a friend with cancer

[Holly221288]

Hi,

A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with cancer so I am wanting to put together a care package for her (currently not able to visit but I want her to know that she is in my thoughts).

If you have had cancer (esp chemo), what little things made a difference to you? Were there things that were really handy to have? Things you couldn't tolerate at all?

I just really want it to be a basket of loveliness as she is a incredibly lovely person.

Thanks in advance

Hi OP, what a lovely idea.
When I had chemo my taste buds completely changed, so you can't rely on previous favourites still being liked.
I'd recommended many small snacks to pop in a handbag and take in to hospital.
Also, hospitals are hot and dry so hand cream and lip balm were very welcome to me. Maybe a drink bottle?
Hope this helps.
Also, fuzzy socks, my feet were always cold

I bought my sister a weighted blanket. She loved it and bought me one back … she also made good use of a V shaped pillow for comfort in bed.

@GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick they are wonderful ideas and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much, I really hope you are well now

@Ladybirdbookworm thank you so much. I would never have thought of these things.

Hello. There is a good website called not another bunch of flowers (or something like that) to deal with ex actly this. They have lovely creams and body stuff. The best thing someone did for me was make a splendid fish pie which kept the family fed for a while. A weighted blankie or an oodie may be good too.

When I had cancer and chemo and radiotherapy I couldn't eat (bar half a bowl of white rice) or concentrate on books (usually I love reading) or use anything but prescription soap as my skin was so dry and scratchy. Candles or any kind of scent would have my nausea turned up to 11.

I was also a bit hot at the clinic as typically the temperature was kept high for those who wore the ice helmets to prevent hair loss...those patients were freezing and had woolly socks, gloves, cardigans...

Every treatment takes a different amount of time and everyone has different reactions.

The hospital will provide water and usually don't let you bring personal water bottles.

Personally I would send your friend a card every week and text her every day or couple of days so she knows you are thinking of her. Make sure she knows it's fine not to reply and to tell you if your messaging is annoying/too much.

Offer to drive her to or from treatment or appointments if you are able.

Personally I would say don't buy anything that is stereotypically for ill/older people like crossword books or magazines or a dressing gown or blanket.

If you have a decent sweet shop near you then acid drops are amazing for nausea and a dry mouth, sherbert lemons will do but the acid drops are the best. Some nice toothbrushes, the oncology nurses made avery big deal of oral care, new brush for every round of chemo. Nibbly bits, any sort, I couldn't always eat much so did a fair bit of grazing. Little handbag packs of wet wipes were useful. A friend in Holland sent me a pack of goodies, some Tony's chocolate, fluffy socks, a little purse shaped like a cat face, a little cuddly heart with velcro arms. Pretty tisues and a nice card. I treasured every bit because it was sent with such thought and kindness. I always carried a water bottle, an insulated one is good because it keeps your drink nice and cold

Yes. It was founded precisely for that

I bought my brother these little things;
A water bottle,
Some audio books, he liked short stories/nothing too complicated.
A lovely blanket,
I made him a couple of playlists,
And, on the advice of a friend, some Angel Delight. Apparently it can get through chemo taste buds.

everyone is different. things I loved

• puzzle books ( hours of waiting around)

E45 cream - the only one I can put on my scars without an allergic reaction - babywipes - again, careful about allergic reactions. I reacted very badly to some given to me with aloe vera in V shaped pillow Power bank and earphones to watch things on phone during chemo marmite - couldn't get enough of it! Whatapp messages with photos of what was going on in the outside world - not long videos Food that I liked - sorry, can't define that. I started liking things I have never had before - milkshakes for example heated throw. colourful buffs - like tubes of material that can be used as head scarves, no fiddling about, just slip them on. Runners often use them

Things that I didn't want
ANY smellies, I ended up giving loads away
ANY flowers - just too much hassle,
ANY cards - so disappointing to open and find a card with just a signature in instead of a personal or informative note
food that made me feel sick - sorry - can't define that. I started hating things I loved before, chocolate for example.
Books - I couldn't see to read normal size print for at least a year

La Roche possay do a skin care range for people on active cancer treatment as it can affect your skin.

Gingernuts for sickness

Fluffy slippers

Insulated drinks bottle

If she is losing her hair, a soft sleep cap or pretty scarf - Deresina were a brand I liked- you can find them on Amazon.

My sister bought me a lovely pashmina.

Although I had no hair, I did shampoo my scalp each day with a lovely Liz Earle shampoo ( I think - few years ago)

Food was of no interest to me sadly, but I did like nice tea. I was inpatient and the lovely nurses brought me a mug of hot water so I could dunk my fancy earl grey.

A lovely friend brought me a selection of books she had enjoyed.

Another lovely friend walked my dogs and dropped in by to feed them when I was in hospital, to give DH one less thing to worry about.

Your time to chat is a lovely gift.

My DM liked a heated blanket we got her as she got cold easily

I always recommend not another bunch of flowers - the founder is a cancer survivor which led her to set up the business.

Also The Treatment Bag - another option as a gift for people with cancer.

One of those battery operated personal fans. My dad carried his everywhere including to every chemo treatment. Lemon drops / citrus food. A hat and body warmer type thing.

One of the hits for my sister were cans of Jude's milkshakes, especially when her mouth was sore.
Spray on e45 was good too.
And eyelash serum, we tried loads of types.