If you've had cancer treatment...

[Maggiemay92]

I've name changed in case this is outing but I'm sure it isn't.

A (very) close relative of mine is undergoing chemo and radiotherapy and I'm unable to see them for a long time due to working oversees and obviously covid. Doctors have said cancer is curable which is a huge relief but treatment is obviously very rough and doctors have said relative will feel really awful for a while.

I want to send something to show I'm thinking of them/something that might make them feel better/cheer them up. Do you have any recommendation? Food and drinks are out, but is there anything that you found comforting or helpful or made you feel better during treatment? Sorry, I have no experience with this, I hope this isn't a really stupid question!

This isn't an AIBU obviously unless I really stretch it into 'AIBU to ask for advice' so I'm sorry for posting here and I'm really grateful in advance for your advice.

Thank you.

Skin can get dry - lip balm
Body lotion - nothing with heavy scent
Fluffy Slippers
Sock slipper

Muslins - face clothes used these as like cold compresses

I’m so much better at this when know person

Mini water bottle helpful but wouldn’t of been useful for the other person with different type of cancer

Just any small gesture will mean a lot and that you thinking about them.

Just as long as you don’t say/write if you need anything just ask, then whatever you get will be meaningful.

Water bottle - metal type that keeps drinks cold

Book gift voucher

Just getting anything was really appreciated.

I actually don’t recommend lotions or lip balms because skin can be really sensitive and many can’t be used.

One of my favorite things was just a little trinket with a nice note. Not normally into little decor items, but right then those little things helped because I could look around and be reminded of friends.

And I know you mentioned not food and I know this does vary, but little hard candies are often really nice to have when you are nauseous.

Heat pack with natural wheat or lavender.
Cinnamon sticks,ginger and mints / sweets to help with sickness.
Comfy slipper socks or giant oversized cushion
A simple card with just a hello and friendly reminder you're thinking of them.

You sound like a good person and good friend so whatever you buy for them will be appreciated and much more so than you realise I'm sure

I spent a lot of time at home so a book vouchers would have been much appreciated.

Organic Non scented hand cream or body lotion as I couldn't tolerate anything scented.

I couldn't eat anything for the first week after chemo after that I was really hungry do decent dark chocolate would have been great.

A metal water bottle might leave a metallic taste so you might be better with something else. Just thinking of you note would be appreciated and gift certificate to even Amazon would be nice.

For my husband the best gift was some really warm fluffy socks and soft slippers. His feet were always cold.

Pre- cancer I wasn’t that keen on flowers - it felt like a bit of a pain to arrange them and keep getting rid of them as they started to smell/ go slimy. However, some work friends kept me well supplied with nice flowers (no lilies!) and I grew to love having them around the house; just seeing them would make me feel loved and ‘remembered’.

Thank you so much everyone, this jas been so helpful! I'm sorry for the late reply - I thought I'd already replied to this but just realised my reply isn't here so I've probably posted it to the complete wrong group

Thanks again!