Good gift for friend going through chemo?

[LaineyW]

My friend had her first round of chemo for breast cancer on Monday and is feeling really bad, although improving each day since. Anyone got any ideas as to what I could send her? She has a good gallows sense of humour but I don't want to overstep the mark...! Are they are good/funny books on this subject?

I had breast cancer and my best gift was from my dd-i-l.It was a box of lemon and ginger tea bags,a book[light reading-steer clear of cancer books but there is a funny graphic/comic book called,I think,Cancer Vixen],some hand cream and a cotton head scarf.Avoid most food/alcohol as chemo plays havoc with the taste buds.Roses lime juice is nice with posh fizzy water[I had San Pellegrino].Best of all a daily text or phone call will let her know you are thinking of her.You sound like a lovely friend.

Thanks pranma, great list. I think she's finding it hard to actually talk about what she's going through, but we're emailing every few days which is great. Will start compiling my box...

My friend likes lovely books to read, beautiful cupcakes to eat on her off week and texts regularly to keep her cheery. There are times when she just wants a hug real or virtual and other times when she wants a bit of a kick up the arse - example would be she was told by her oncologist that all the chem was doing was controlling the disease a bit like diabetes, I pointed out to her that we are pretty damn good at controlling diabetes (we're vets).
Sometimes she may need some one to cry with too.

Lainey, dvd box sets are good. When I was going through it, I found it hard to read and they distracted me from thinking too much. Honestly though being on top of her cycle, so knowing when she's got the next round, sending texts, speaking on the phone, being close if you live near, really are the best. My BF was there every step of the way and made a massive difference. If your friend has any questions on treatment from people who've been through it, she could loiter on the Tamoxifen thread. We have a fair bit of gallows humour on there, so she might fit right in.

Cashmere socks.
my mum had chemo and keeps complaining about cold feet.

My aunt's having chemo and has been told to eat lots of fruit and veg, her DH is taking homemade smoothies to the hospital every day. We got them an Abel and Cole voucher worth six fruit and veg box deliveries so they can get what they want, when they want it.

Some posh shower gel/ body lotion. When I had chemo I sometimes found it hard to concentrate, so I read a lot of magazines rather than books. You could get her a subscription for something she might enjoy. Otherwise the best thing you can do is be there for her - go for coffee on her good days, suggest you go to the cinema, text her, include her in gossip etc.

I am at my mum's looking after her post final round of chemo as I type this. Here's some thoughts:

Juicing machine and lots of fruit (we been adding veggies too). Someone else will probably need to do the juicing, but a freshly prepared glass of juice makes her feel a bit special, fussed over, and is good for her as she can barely eat.

Nice comfy nightware / dressing gown. You friend could be in it a lot.

One of those jugs and has a glass for a lid. You need to drink loads of water when having chemo.

Be prepared that it's not just a physical rollercoaster, but an emotional one too. I'm amazed at quite how up / down and totally irratic my mother is being. It's really hard to be supportive at times, but try to hang in there for the sake of your friend. She'll be needing lots of TLC and that's probably going to be the best present of all right now.

I did a lot of knitting when I was looking after my mum having chemo.
It helped me...

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas. I'm off to TK Maxx now to buy a pretty box and fill it full of nice things. My friend lives a long, long way away from me sadly so I can't see her very often but will mail the box.

Coffee I agree. I bought my Mum some White company cashmere bed socks. Rather weirdly, she only ever got one cold foot.