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Christmas

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

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Original poster

ideas for mum who has cancer and in hospital?

21 replies

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:24

sorry for being morbid, but any ideas would be helpful.

at her 60th birthday recently she got a digital picture frame, a digital camera, a portable dvd player plus dvd's, a nintendo ds (although she is too tired just now to use anything like that). my brother made her up a picture book from truprint and i got a family photo done and she has a copy of that.

to be honest, she doesn't have the energy to make use of anything just now, or even read really. i know she's just concerned right now about surviving, but i cant not get her anything!

again, i dont want to depress anyone, but i'm really stuck!

OP posts:

dizzydixies · 03/12/2008 23:26

I gave my mum my ipod and downloaded talking books onto it as she was too tired to read

lavender cream smells delicious so some nice cream for her hands?

wishing her all the strength in the world

sallyhollyberry · 03/12/2008 23:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:28

good idea dizzy, thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:29

sally, new pj's would be good for her, thanks.

OP posts:

sallyhollyberry · 03/12/2008 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jenniebee · 03/12/2008 23:32

Like dizzdixies said, some audio books or something. I got these for my dad when he was in a hopsice, cheered him up and made him laugh until he got to weak to listen to anything, never forget him laughing at them!!

Original poster

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:33

good idea sally. you're right about not keeping expensive things in hospitals (sadly). and the noise!

OP posts:

Ronaldinhio · 03/12/2008 23:34

I liked decent lip balm and nice hand cream

Neal's yard or ren maybe for non chemical things

Original poster

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:35

thanks R. but what is ren?

OP posts:

Original poster

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:36

sorry, just googled it!

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lovelydear · 03/12/2008 23:36

i got my mum some kendal mint cake in similar situation. she didn't want to eat much but enjoyed the fresh sweetness. and audiobooks. if you get headphones i suggest those ones that hook over your ears rather than stuff in them...

Ronaldinhio · 03/12/2008 23:40

the other thing that you can get which sounds really poncy but is really really nice is just a water spray bottle which you fill with some water and a drop or two of essential oil
rose/lavender etc
you can spray it anywhere and it is very very nice and calming refreshing non hospitally

Original poster

apollo11 · 03/12/2008 23:44

i cant thank you all enough for every single really good idea. i have written them all down and will use them.

OP posts:

herbietea · 03/12/2008 23:45

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applestrudel · 03/12/2008 23:52

How about organising for her to have some Reiki or reflexology? I'm sure some practitioners would be willing to visit the hospital. Both are very relaxing.

stealthsquiggle · 04/12/2008 00:04

My grandmother went through loads of audio books when in hospital - she didn't have the energy to hold a book and read.

If you wanted to push the boat out (and take the risk on possessions in hospital) you could go for noise-cancelling headphones - blocking out the constant background noise would be bliss IMO.

thumbElf · 04/12/2008 00:13

apollo11 - just a word of caution about essential oils - when my mum was in hospital last year with terminal cancer, they wouldn't let me give her any essential oils in case they interacted with any of the stuff she was being given medically. Check with the staff if they are ok with essential oils in any form, especially sprays, if she is not in her own room.

A nice soft wrap to put round her when she is sitting up
Silk pyjamas, or lovely soft ones

for you - hope things get better for you all soon.

MadamDeathstarOverBethlehem · 04/12/2008 02:12

Lemon or citrus flavored hard candies.
Preserved ginger
Citrus flavored chewing gum
A notebook and pen to write down her thoughts
A fleece blanket is nice and soft and easy to throw in the washing machine.
Socks are a good idea, the softer the better.
Short stories

I am really sorry, I hope she gets better soon.

sophy · 04/12/2008 12:32

There are some good ideas on this website:

www.thegetwellgiftboxcompany.co.uk/default.asp

Heifer · 04/12/2008 13:38

I bought my mum a pair of lovely silk pjs and dressing gown a few years ago when she was in the hospice. She loved them.

It was important to her to look nice although she didn't have the energy/strength to do her usual beauty routine. She was the type to look good when doing the gardening

Also agree re water bottle spray.

My mum liked being massaged so perhaps that is another idea.

Hope she feels stronger soon.

fircone · 04/12/2008 16:37

When my mum was in this situation, she really loved the Crabtree & Evelyn smellies big gift basket my sister gave her. It looked really special, all wrapped up in beautiful paper. She also liked it when the staff all ooohed and aaahed at it and of course it made my mum's last few baths a bit of a treat.

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