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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

What can I buy my lovely step mother who has Lung Cancer?

19 replies

winegumss · 15/11/2007 17:16

She is only 50 yrs old and some family members are getting food - not sure this is the right thing to get/ gives out negative vibes. Any wise ideas?

OP posts:
Bundle · 15/11/2007 17:18

something nice and pampery? pay for a pedicurist to visit her?

Slouchy · 15/11/2007 17:21

When my Mum was terminally ill sje asked people to buy her books and vidoes of places in the world she would not now get to see - beautiful photography etc. She spent many hours leafing through them, absorbing what the world had to offer.
(She died on Jan 15th, 1999. I still miss her everyday)

RubyRioja · 15/11/2007 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Eddas · 15/11/2007 17:29

Sorry to hear about your step mother

do you have kids? Get them to make something if you do. Make a frame and put a photo of you all in it so she can take it with her if/when she's in hospital.

You could make her a hamper of all her favourite things. I'm making MIL one with her fav sweets, candles(loves them!) and things like that. I think it's really nice and personal. Hope she likes it too

winegumss · 15/11/2007 17:44

thank you all, it is difficult and very sad - shall take on your ideas. thank you

OP posts:
BOOquets · 19/11/2007 11:20

Here's a couple of nice books to cheer up mature ladies:
Scuba Dancing
Proper Family Christmas
Could get large print or audio versions if reading is problem.

policywonk · 19/11/2007 11:23

Soft, comfortable PJs/slouchy jumpers/warm soft blanket - my mother (who has lung cancer) pretty much lives in pyjamas these days and it's good for her to have nice, expensive ones so that she doesn't feel like a total slob all the time. She also really loves a knitted mohair blanket that I got for her a while back.

MuffinMclay · 19/11/2007 12:51

When FIL was very ill with cancer he really appreciated getting DVDs and audio books on CD (cartons and comedy things) to make him laugh and take his mind off things.

CloudAtlas · 19/11/2007 13:38

How about an album/book you make yourself on t'internet, www.snapfish.co.uk/storenewphotobooks

onebatmother · 19/11/2007 22:09

I second policy on posh pyjamas
(and I'm very very sad for both of you)

Lots of these that follow aren't really Christmas presents but might help over the coming year..

The things that gave my mother great pleasure were:
painted toe nails (she could look at them and still lie down!) so maybe a gift set of her type of colours?

audio books of things she'd not read yet, if reading is too tiring.

(Even better, someone reading aloud from books she'd already read ((pride and prejudice, georgette heyer etc) but you can't give that as a christmas present..)

ANYTHING to do with grandchildren! audio or vidoe recordings of daily life - stupid stuff, silly songs, counting from one to ten for little ones, explaining things like where does rain come from for big ones) and any drawing or writing that they want to do (tho don't stress about it and start forcing them to do stuff or you'll go mental)

A lovely painting? I knew my mother's taste quite well, if you know your dsm's taste, this is a good one. Neednt' be actual painting, poster of painting good. But you must say to her that she can just rest it against the wall (in case she looooathes it!)

Food is fine from the rest of them - my mother took tiny tastes of stuff even when very very ill, and enjoyed the luxury.

Cashmere knitted blanket (try Brora) if money no object.

cashmere bedsocks (Brora again) if money tight but not desperately so(£30??)

A hairdresser at home - do you have a hairdresser friend? I think, also, that Macmillan can recommend local ones, but not sure about that. check it out, she might enjoy some mindless 'been anywhere nice?' normality. You might say 'it's all booked and paid for already, can't get the money back now, it would be a shame to let it go to waste, what date d'you reckon?'

Do you have a digital camera? A cheap scrapbook of photos of the next month or so - not just 'cheese!" ones but just normal life, printed and stuck in, would be really nice, especially if you were able to get over to other family members and grab some shots of them. Although whether you feel this is apporpriate I think it depends on the stage of her illness - but maybe do it anyway and keep? And give it to both your dad and your dsm so it doesn't seem too pointed.

You - you sound lovely.

AngharadGoldenhand · 19/11/2007 22:13

Aromatherapy massage sessions - at home?

A heating pad - when my dad was dying of cancer, he always seemed cold and achey.

policywonk · 19/11/2007 22:16

Oh OBM, your mum too?

wrinklytum · 19/11/2007 22:22

Something that is related to "normal" life,I think the audio/video tapes one of grandchildren idea is lovely.So many people I have nursed with cancer have expressed the wish just to be treated as normal and not be tiptoed around.Anything warming and homely.In fact I think One Bat mothers post was fab.Or something to make her laugh.A comedy dvd that she loves

Alva · 19/11/2007 22:56

So sorry to hear this. Have been in your position, winegumms, and agree with those who've said that something really gorgeous and comforting - cashmere blanket/gorgeous big pashmina - is a really good present; your stepmother can feel glamorous and cossetted.

onebatmother · 19/11/2007 23:03

yes pol, about 4 years ago. Very very hard - but with moments of real joy. I'm thinking of you.

onebatmother · 20/11/2007 13:37

tho sorry pol, not lung cancer, ovarian.

policywonk · 20/11/2007 19:32

I am sorry to hear that OBM. Ovarian is a bloody nasty one isn't it (seems to have some similarities with lung cancer in terms of treatment/prognosis, I've been discovering).

I would use the sad face but I find it inadequate, so please imagine a suitable emoticon in the space provided below...

NoviceKnitter · 20/11/2007 19:41

My mum had same thing. I bought her goose down pillows. Pricey but just gorgeous. All the best to you and to her.

onebatmother · 20/11/2007 20:24

oh that's a great idea NoviceKnitter.

Yes, Policy I think you're right in terms of its malice ...

Hope you don't think this intrusive but if you were feeling miserable, but not wanting to post, you'd be very welcome to email me on kate at minimum dot co dot uk.

winegums, anything here?

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