What to put in a chemo basket

[Trovindia]

My mum starts chemo in two weeks and I want to send her a basket of stuff that will be helpful, what would you have found most useful?

So far I've got a turban and some anti nausea sweets.

Jacob's cream crackers. They are good for snacking on and keeping nausea at bay.

Something to read while she's having the chemo? She'll have to sit hooked up to the drip.

Small blanket or wrap is useful as can get chilly in the hospital

Bed socks.
Even in summer, it's just really comforting to wear them during the infusions.

My mum went through a lot of hand cream, but could only tolerate non scented. Heavily scented creams, candles, etc made her very nauseous.

Is your mum shaving her hair before starting treatment ? Is she mentally prepared for hair loss ? The turban may cause upset as a reminder she might go bald ( unless hair is already shaved). Something to consider.

She has thought about this, she decided against the cold cap as she doesn't want headaches, and was talking about wearing scarves and turbans which is why I thought I would get her some. She always thinks I've got great taste so I know she will want to wear them if I have given them to her.

Crackers are great thank you. I should have said she's blind so she can't read anything. Maybe I could record a book for her.

When my mum was having chemo, her skin got very dry, so a gentle moisturiser like Aveeno or Cerave would be a good call. Also, she suffered really badly with dry mouth, which then caused mouth ulcers. We found that using Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash for dry mouth helped with this, so may be an idea to include these.
You sound like a lovely, caring daughter and I wish your mum all the best xx

Audible subscription or kindle that reads (less budget option!) I love the idea of you recording books though perhaps voice ote if she has anything like WhatsApp?

Lip balm, unscented natural body moisturiser, hand sanitiser and cream , boiled sweets, reusable water bottle, thermometer ( the one supplied will be not great quality), fluffy socks, blanket, personalised medication storage.

Nothing scented!

There is a website called “Not another bunch of flowers” that has lots sugguestions for chemo patients,

Audiobooks (and headphones)?
Ginger biscuits for nausea
Thermometer to measure temp?
Maybe some comfy loungewear and slippers for home or an emergency dash to hospital (god forbid she needs to but sadly a possibility when on chemo)?

My mum also had terrible problems with peeling hands and feet, and sore mouth so she used:
Udderly smooth hand and foot creams
Difflam mouthwash
Cracked heel socks (the toeless ones with silicone heel pads)
Wore cotton gloves with the cream inside overnight

I found lip salve to be an essential as was tangy/ refreshing foods like Lime marmalade to help with the 'dead frog in mouth' slimy feeling which was a constant during my chemo.

Painkillers, water bottle (or fave soft drinks), gloves. Having warm hands and being really well hydrated makes getting the catheter in less painful - would have some hand warmers too.

Audible subscription, new headphones?

You could get her a good set of earphones or headphones, so she can listen to music or audiobooks? Could she listen on her phone or would she prefer an MP3 player?

I bought my friend a “ fuck cancer “ bracelet. The two words were in morse code with beads etc making up the dots-dash etc. she wore it every hospital treatment day. She said it made her feel a bit more omph when wearing it.

Small pots of custard; sometimes it was all I could manage to eat. And lots of paracetamol. Foot cream to help when the pins and needles start. I found rubbing my feet gently did help alleviate some of the stabbing sensation and numbness. A nice throw or blanket for curling up on the sofa. Eye mask for when everything is too bright.

Headphones
Audio books
Blanket (chemo makes you so cold!)

A colleague who had treatment for BC really liked La Roche Posay Cicplast and enjoyed little jars of olives and bags of mini cheddars, as her medication made other foods taste unpleasant (especially dairy, sweet things and tomatoes) but salty, savoury ones were OK.

Herbal tea. Lemon, ginger, mint all good. I couldn’t stomach milk after a while. Sweets and chocolate.

Laxatives, or tinned prunes and pears.
Breadsticks/crackers

Also weleda skin cream is amazing, mine was coming off in sheets but that stuff made it all better

Lipsalve
hand cream
body lotion but for sensitive skin
scarf/wrap ( when the infusions are going in you can get very shivery)
Pom bears ( the only thing that helped my nausea)
audioBook
ginger lollipops
sour sweets

What about something to do, like a puzzle or those nice colouring in books.

I did one for my friend many years ago. I did food bits, colouring book, lip salve etc, and a hand made velvet flower as you aren't allowed actual flowers.

My friend swore by Murray Mints for the nausea.