Help needed present suggestions for someone who will be having cancer treatment

[Runningupthecurtains]

My default gift for my impossible to buy for Dad is booze, but as he will be in the middle of radiotherapy this Christmas I don't think a bottle of whiskey will do this year so what can I get? Has anyone found the perfect gift for someone who will be in (and hopefully out) of hospital for the next few months?

When my gran was having cancer treatment over Christmas we made her a hamper. All her favourite things/home comforts
Her fave chocs
Her fave fudge
Slippers
Dressing gown
Comfy socks
A book by her fave author
A lavender candle (her fave smell)
A little mp3 player with her favourite songs on
Small jar of honey and jam
Luxurious bath set
Etc

We gave it to her as a hamper of your favourite things. She didn't take it into hospital with her but when she came home from a tiring day at the hospital he would open it up and treat herself to something nice from it.

Pyjamas
Slippers
Dressing gown
Puzzle book
Beanie hat
Insulated mug
Magazine subscription

He has all of the above - he isn't a dressing gown/slippers man in 'normal' life so was bought new pjs slippers etc when he first went into hospital a few weeks ago. I'd rejected magazine subscription because he has never read a magazine in his life and I can't think of one that would interest him. He is very tricky to buy for!

Is the radiotherapy in a place which means he can't have a wee whisky? I know my dad would have missed his bottle of malt at Christmas. He even had a malt (one a day - the nurses put a prescription label on the bottle 🤦🏻‍♀️) when in hospital (with the permission of his very pragmatic consultant)

That sounds lovely and would be so easy to do for DM but DF doesn't eat sweet treats, do candles smellies etc.

He's really very unwell at the moment so I don't think it would be a great idea. Hopefully once he is stabilized and treatment kicks in it would be possible but as things are currently it's not doable and could seem a bit cruel - here's your favourite tipple but you can't drink it.

A heated blanket. A pair of fingerless gloves. Slippers. A lap tray.

What @AlexisP90 says - a box of treats/comforts.

That bottle of whisky. A really nice one. It’ll take him a while to get through it, less so when he rings the bell though I’ll bet.

His favourite snack/old school sweets. (He might not be keen on eating but the odd say green wine gum might do it for him).

A really nice comfy pair of wool socks.

Edited to say, possibly some sort of gadget/gadget subscription if he’s not a book or magazines person. On tap sudoku or the flipping RHS gardening app so he can plan his garden ahead.

@BrokenWing those nurses putting a prescription label on the bottle is heroic behaviour!

Ohh a lap tray might work if I can find a suitably 'blokey' one. Thanks.

A throw? You can get nice grown up ones

Silk pillow case
Posh cordials
Audio book subscription
Sports channel subscription
Any nice snacks they like "upgraded"
Large fleece blanket themed on favourite TV show/film/activity - or with family photos printed on

Why not the whiskey? Am sure he would like a present that isn't related to cancer.

Lots of patients give up drinking thinking they are supposed to but it's rare for it to be medically needed.

An audible subscription so he can listen to books even when he's feeling too poorly to hold a book. You could download it on to his phone and load it with books you think he'd enjoy. He could also listen to podcasts on it.
And maybe some good comfortable head phones.

Some fancy ginger beer...helps with nausea and can provide some energy. Some fancy sucky sweets.

I know you said you got him slippers but if his feet get cold during radiotherapy some lovely soft cashmere socks.

Does he listen to music/podcasts/radio? You can get beanies with integrated wireless headphones (like this) that can be listened to while in bed without being painful, as well as having the warmth of the beanie. Google search comes up with various options...

Does he have a really good set of bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones? Vital part of the cancer treatment survival toolkit.

Second the lap tray with beam bag underside. Heated blanket. A memory foam specially shaped pillow for bedtime. A thermometer (this is more practical as he may be vulnerable to infections with cancer treatment). A nice, easy to use bag (can be used as hospital bag). Sippy no-spill coffee cup with handles for drinking.

A small IPad/IPod/tablet with games, stuff to read/listen to/watch? My dad used his to the day before he died - from puzzles, to videos, to games (like you'd find on a phone). I hope your dad does well.

Because at the moment he is barely able to keep to food down and hasn't had a drink since he first 'took poorly' 2 months ago.
The balance is trying to find something for an already ridiculously hard to buy man that doesn't either shout 'I got you this because you are really very ill and will probably die' or 'I got you what I always get you despite the fact that you are really very ill and can't enjoy it'.

I think the tray would be a nice idea, you can personalise them with photos. A decent water bottle like chillys, I used mine loads while I was going through treatment. Would he use a kindle could take his mind off things while he's waiting for appointments, he could downloads magazines and books. Not really a man thing but some good skin care for while he's having radiotherapy. I'm sure someone can recommend some.

How about lego? There's nice adult sets he might enjoy, landmarks, art work etc.

He has all the tech already so doesn't need a table, kindle, headphones etc. it's so difficult because he is literally the man who has everything, although he would interject at this point 'I tell you what I don't have - my health' and sadly that's not something I can pick up at M&S or order from Amazon.

@Runningupthecurtains I am so sorry you and your dad are going through this. I wish we could gift healthy to everyone we love.

What are his hobbies, interests?

What kinds of things does he enjoy doing usually?

I was quite fatigued during radio (still am picking up months later!), things to do that help you keep mentally active but don't wear you out are nice, audiobook subscription, puzzles, sketching materials, maybe a box set

Some light hand and ankle weights to help keep active without overdoing it

A houseplant to brighten the place up long term unlike flowers, lovely but short term

Meal subscription like pasta evangelists

Given your updates, I’ll go a bit left field. Please don’t be offended.
This very much depends on your and your DDad’s sense of humour but “favour, hug, f-off” vouchers. A set of lovely printed flash cards that he can use to ask you for a favour (something he probably isn’t supposed to have etc but yeah), a hug ( because he doesn’t want to ask you or someone else for it), or, well, he’s a bit fed up of everything/people tiptoeing so he can use the fuck off card (or your preferred term for it) to just get everyone to bugger off for a bit and let him be him.
I hope that doesn’t sound terrible and you get what I mean about for the person who is impossible to buy for, giving them the opportunity to flash a “stop mithering me” card with a grin (they always grin) can be a bit of light relief.
It’s less about “stuff” and more about a little bit of autonomy.
Love to you and your dad x