What bday gifts for mum suffering through chemo?

[FknOmniShambles]

Hi all,
My mum is currently going through chemo for inflammatory breast cancer and is finding it tough. She's always been a workaholic, doing things for other people every second of the day - she literally never stops. The chemo has really knocked her for six and she is losing her hair, which I think is scaring her. It's a really hard time for her and everyone who loves her.
She is 67 soon and I want to get her a hamper style gift of lots of lovely things that will allow her some luxury (which she never treats herself to). Budget around £150 but more if needed.
Any suggestions from anyone, especially people who have been through similar, are much appreciated x

If she has the option for the cold cap, and can bear the discomfort, my wife found it really effective.

Skin moisturisers will probably be useful, and bath relaxy potions (I've no idea what they are really called but my wife likes them, and enjoyed a nice hot bath between treatments).

She also found some really good turban type hats that were very good at just looking like a style choice as opposed to a necessity.

Cancer is awful. Big hug to your mum.

Earrings, jewellery always works

My mum loved a gift box from the tartan blanket company. You can build your own box.

https://tartanblanketco.com/products/ready-made-cosy-gift-box

My sister struggled with breathing in cold air, and used a shawl to cover her mouth slightly when going in and out to the car/hospital etc, so we bought her a nice one for that.

I bought a soft, snuggly shawl/wrap in a similar situation which helped with temperature control.

I sent 2 things to my friend whilst she was going through chemo. Once was a candle that just said " no words just hugs" and the other was a bracelet that said fuck cancer in morse code . They were both unusual and she took great delight wearing the bracelet every time she had chemo.

I loved receiving some Udderly Smooth (high urea content) foot cream and a luxurious hand cream as both areas affected by chemo.

This gift site was set up by a lady who had breast cancer and has good ideas: www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com.

As others have suggested, a snuggly throw or blanket scarf

A subscription to audible with some earphones if she doesn't have any

A lovely scented candle

As someone receiving treatment for cancer can I ask what would she normally like (because she is still "her" and it's important to remember that) and also, apart from the hair loss, what are her side effects, because they will be different depending on which chemo she is on and they also vary by person.

Thank you, so many lovely suggestions. In the end I asked her and she asked for an M and S voucher to get some long sleeved tops for autumn. So I'll get her a voucher and another gift that I know she will like. Going to have a proper look at your kind suggestions. Thanks again!

I haven't read the full thread so it might have been suggested. I would include some lovely matching pjs, and maybe a matching dressing gown. It's something that won't remind her of the cancer, but she'll feel a bit more pulled together in lovely matching pjs on a day she spends in pjs

Book vouchers
Moisturisers. Your skin gets very dry and uncomfortable. The greasier the better
Nice blanket. You get so cold when having chemo
Earrrings
Lipstick
Magnetic eyelashes (if she loses hers)

I thought I would just come on to add that I had Stage 3 IBC and am five years post treatment this month. I presume your mum will follow the standard protocol (mastectomy next then radiation), tbh for me the chemo was the worst part of treatment so once the chemo finishes nothing else makes you feel quite so shit!

Its a lovely idea. You could do a basket of things that would bring her comfort and similar to the things she reaches for herself. Its rare we get all the favourite things we like together in the one basket. You could take note of the things she likes and get her a nicer/New version of them? And things that would help her post chemo. Having things she needs at this time would be a great gift

I had chemo for breast cancer in 2007. The gifts I appreciated most of all were those that saved me doing something. I was given loads of flowers which were lovely of course but the gifts I appreciated most were the friends who arrived with a lasagne or cottage pie they had made. It was just an evening I didn't have to think about cooking for my DC. One friend brought me a cake each week for us to enjoy. Also maybe a voucher for an ironing service.

Good luck to your Mum, Chemo is brutal.
I

Îm late to this but extra strong mints helped me through chemo ( for nausea and mettallic taste) Ginger tea too. My kids got me nice headphones so I could comfortably listen to music/ audible and trendy comfortable trainers ( i asked for them just cos I wanted them but you sometimes get pains in legs/ feet with chemo so I really wore them alot) Agree with ear rings and maybe a nice lipstick. Wishing your mum and you all the best.

A heated fleece throw, cashmere hand warmers from Turtle Dove, moisturiser cream for face and hands.