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Christmas

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

Original poster

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

57 replies

Runningupthecurtains · 12/11/2024 19:59

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?

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 14/11/2024 14:24

I actually would stick with the whiskey even if he cannot drink it at the moment. It says to him that you believe the treatment will work. I know when my Mom was going through radiotherapy that she wanted things to stay as normal as possible.

Other than that maybe a decent powerpack for his phone. I know he probably has one but it is handy to have one to go and one to charge. If there is a newsagent in the hospital maybe get him a giftcard for that and if there is a cafe one for there too. Mom used to avoid bring her cards or much cash as she had to leave her bag and some clothing in a changing room that was not very secure.

Original poster
Runningupthecurtains · 14/11/2024 16:26

Frogandfish · 14/11/2024 14:18

You don't mention which cancer type but if it's one where radio is likely to cause a patch of hair loss or all over (brain or head and neck but depends, he will have been told), maybe a home visit from a good barber a couple of weeks in for a professional tidy up, shave. In all honesty I'm not sure if I'd have appreciated this preemptively but just a thought. Or even if it won't cause hair loss, might be nice if he can't get out as much (this is of course if he hasn't already had hair loss from chemo/ non cancer related)

His hair went some years ago so that one though he doesn't need to worry about. We are still waiting for test results to know that exact spread and extent as the diagnosis is very new. Likewise we have been told the first step in treatment will be radiotherapy but chemo and surgery are also possible. I'm at the opposite end of the country so I'm not much help on gifting time etc to him.

OP posts:
LadyGabriella · 14/11/2024 16:42

Really thick socks. Maybe from M&S

Original poster
Runningupthecurtains · 14/11/2024 16:49

Thanks for all the lovely suggestions. Big unMumsnetty hugs to all of you that have been through treatment yourself or have had a loved one go through it.
I think I will look for warm soft socks and 'nice' beanie in the colours of his football team plus a few puzzle books and a travel mug.

OP posts:
jay55 · 14/11/2024 17:52

A heated cushion. My dad was going through chemo and radiotherapy last Christmas and like yours could barely eat/drink. The weight loss made him bone sore and the cushion seemed to help.

Fraaahnces · 16/11/2024 12:41

Oooh, lovely merino or silk thermals. Soft and not scratchy. Get them just one size larger and they can also be used for pyjamas.

Frogandfish · 16/11/2024 12:45

Runningupthecurtains · 14/11/2024 16:26

His hair went some years ago so that one though he doesn't need to worry about. We are still waiting for test results to know that exact spread and extent as the diagnosis is very new. Likewise we have been told the first step in treatment will be radiotherapy but chemo and surgery are also possible. I'm at the opposite end of the country so I'm not much help on gifting time etc to him.

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Fingers crossed for as favourable a diagnosis as possible and I hope it's soon xx

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