Friend having radiotherapy - recommendations of things to make it easier

[SourDoe]

A lovely friend of mine is undergoing radiotherapy soon for breast cancer.

I’m putting together a care / recovery package for her and would love some recommendations for things that others have found supportive during radiotherapy.

So far I’ve bought her a book I know she’ll enjoy and have seen a super soft blanket to join it but would love to know what others have found helpful / comforting / practical during their treatments.

Thank you in advance and sending lots of love to anyone during their treatment.

A nice, lovely smelling skin moisturiser in case she gets irritation at the treatment site (worth checking suitable type with pharmacist perhaps)

Some light, easy to swallow drinks and food in case of nausea and swallowing issues.

fluffy slippers for walking around the hospital during treatment.

Offer a weekly visit and help around the house/garden or meals delivered.

Something crafty to do with her hands while she's waiting. Puzzle book, amagurami, journal for writing.

Saying all this, when my mum has radiotherapy she felt remarkably well and went on holiday between two sessions. sooo maybe offer to take her away on a city break??

I was told not to use anything on the skin at the treatment site until after the radiotherapy had finished, but then by the end it was like severe sunburn (ouch) so something soothing for afterwards would be very nice. Perhaps also a very soft, stretchy and easy to remove vest or camisole (so that it will just ease down to waist) for during treatment as you have to strip off every day for however long it takes and it is a pain with complicated clothes.

Otherwise, to be honest the extreme fatigue meant I was more interested in /grateful for practical help than nice things - I would have loved for someone to help clean the house or do some laundry! But I was in a clinical trial to see if people could stand having chemo and radiotherapy at the same time, rather than one after the other, so maybe it was particularly gruelling.

Hope your friend copes well and it\s a lovely thought whatever you decide on...

It’s the daily back and forth at various times that can be hard. I would offer lifts if I could and be on call in case she gets stuck.

Lovely lovely soft cotton bra tops. Her skin could be sore for ages afterwards and may have a change in shape/size.

I actually bought some lovely ones in Asda.

A lift if she needs it? Bit of a bore having to trek up every day but that’s about it really.
I found radiotherapy a walk in the park after chemo and surgery. Not sure how anyone could have made it any easier really.
A blanket and a book sounds fine.

Books and things to pass the time would be good as there can be a lot of waiting around. I wouldn't buy any lotions or creams though as you need to be careful with what is used. The radiographers will be able to supply the appropriate items ( I was given something by them called Flamigel RT, which is specifically designed to relieve skin problems that can result from radiotherapy).

I’d agree with being available for lifts as that was the biggest pain in arse for me. If you can’t do lifts then regular contact and ask if she wants to meet up. I’d have liked that as DH was away when I was having radiotherapy.

Book sounds great.

No to the creams as your friend will be told what her hospital recommends - it seems to vary.

Lifts if poss

Posted too soon

Meant to say Lifts if possible as I struggled to find parking spaces at my Hospital and then worked I'd be late for my session

I just felt incredibly tired afterwards and sometimes cold so fluffy blanket is useful

In this heat maybe nice water bottle with straw that she can take with her filled with nice refreshing drink as there's lots ov hanging around

Friend bought me a M&S card as there's a small one in my hospital and it has a note saying to treat yourself to fruit , chocolate a magazine or wine ....