What present can I get for someone recovering....

[Theloosegoose]

.....from a gruelling course of radiotherapy.

I don't know this person very well as such (my DS' best friends mum) so wouldn't be able to get her something particularly personal. I know she's struggling with the after affects and want to get her a gift that may help/ shows we are all thinking of her. Any ideas?
Sorry this is not AIBU. Unless of course you think it is then I'd appreciate hearing why!

Thanks x

Which area was irradiated?

I'm sorry to say that I don't know. It's secondary.

Well nothing food related (changes in sense lf taste and smell). not flowers (could have allergies/due to issues with smell). something to help with pain or sleep? I know sounds boring but nice fluffy water bottle for any aches she is having? or a dyson fan given the heat? maybe ask her what symptoms she is having and choose accordingly

Notanotherbunchofflowers have gifts specially designed for people going through cancer treatment.

I appreciated hand creams, little sets like that so I could pamper myself , or a voucher for afternoon tea - something to look forward to when feeling better

I bought cashmere socks and gloves (she was always feeling cold!) some fancy hand creams that I knew she loved, fancy tea leaves and a new strainer and her favourite chocolates. I also sent a few books I thought she'd love!

That's very thoughtful of you 😊

I'd get a voucher if you don't know her at all - is there a nice local cafe or something? I'd be really annoyed if someone bought me hand cream or another generic 'lady's' present!

Is there anyone who could ask her DP perhaps?

Nice of you to think of her.

all of this is a good idea.

I wouldn’t get a voucher for an experience as it might be hard to say when she would feel up to using it.

It's hard to say, as cancer patients are, after all, individuals with their own tastes, plus the side effects one person gets another won't etc.

Not long after I started chemo, DS had a playdate at ours and when his mate's mum dropped her off she gave me one of those £1 bunch of daffs and I was actually quite touched, as we're not that close.

A lot of people say "if you need anything, let me know", but it feels awkward with such an open-ended offer, and you're not sure if it's something they actually mean.

So if you can and want to, you could offer to help with school runs if she needs it with appointments/feeling crap, or offer to take your son's friend out for activities with your child if she's finding it hard to get him out and about on the weekends/after school. Mums worry a lot about how their illness is affecting their children.

Www.bearhugsgifts.com would be perfect.

I was about to suggest similar.

Invite the child over for a sleep over.

Maybe make your own vouchers for child care, school run, dinner at your house etc.

Cashmere is akin to the fur trade. Unless you know that she's ok with that, it's not something you want to put on her, on top of her not being well.
I think that it isn't a time when you want stuff. The last thing that you need is stuff that you have to dispose of, or have cluttering up the place (especially when you haven't got the energy). A voucher in a card would be nice, but it would have embarrassed me, because I don't know you, or you me. How old is DS? Young enough to make a card? Or old enough for just him to choose one?

Time (play dates, school runs) and meals
Loose cotton nightwear

Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions :)