New Zealand sister is about to start chemo - what prezzies can I send?

[purplewithred]

My sister is about to start herceptin + heavyweight chemo and is expecting the full range of hair loss, fatigue, nausea, d&v, so horrible I can hardly think about it. My mum and I would like to send her some little somethings along the way - any suggestions from anyone who's been through it? just small tokens to go along with our love.

I remember my mum having terrible mouth ulcers and very sore hands and feet although that was with a different chemo drug. If they are possible side effects for your sister then anything to soothe would be useful although remembering that anything scented etc with exacerbate irritation. Aqueous cream was what I rubbed into her feet with a beautifully fluffy and soft pair of socks on top - no elastic round the top. I remember materials being very important as her skin was so irritated.

Ok this may sound silly - but something to talk about. For my mum, being in and out of hospital and so sick, her ordinary life shrunk to a small room. If there's anything which is undemanding but can be updated to interest her. That sounds so weak as a suggestion but we needed something to talk about cos we had run out of anything to say. Am I just waffling? Sorry x

My very best wishes for your sister

Thanks - will start knitting some cashmere socks for her, and will remember what you said about life shrinking; will try for daily contact

How is she about manicures and stuff? My aunt's nails were horribly affected by the medication so some nice hand/nail cream or other products might be nice?

When my grandfather had radiotherapy (not exactly the same, I know) he found listening to music really soothing and distracting. We bought him a portable DVD player (does DSis have a laptop?) and periodically someone would buy him some music, or a DVD of an opera/classic film he loved. He forgot it once and said the process was much more uncomfortable without it.

You could order from a local supplier and have them delivered direct to her if that is easier than posting?

So sorry to hear about your sister.
When I had the treatment four years ago, I read my way through easy to read books like the whole "Ladies Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall. Quite a lot of my time was spent being horizontal.
Nice smelling stuff soaps, lotions etc would also be welcome.
I also drank herbal teas as they tasted cleaner than ordinary tea.
Scarves and hats, obviously are really useful, depending on taste. I bought a funky army cap and wore it with big hoop earrings and tons of make up. It was my urban guerrilla look!
Basically when you have no hair you jazz things up with what you've got, hence, make up, earrings, hats etc. the thing to look out for in hats is that they need to be bulky, because you'd be surprised how much bulk you lose by having no hair, so things like bakers boy caps are good.
Maybe a cheap palette of funky eye shadows? Eyebrow pencil because you lose all hair including your eyebrows.
Scarves were less use as there is no hair to grip them onto.
Other than that, boxed sets of good tv series to while away the hours.
I actually didn't listen to music, something to do with it being too emotional, and the chemo dulls down your emotions.
BTW, chocolate tastes a bit funny, but my lovely son sent me a big hamper of chocs. We were in different parts of the world at the time, and it was very welcome, and quite wonderful of him.
Nice nightclothes are welcome and ring the changes.
Nice socks, definitely!
Magazine subscription?
Best wishes to your sister and you, and I hope she weathers it all well! With your support I'm sure she will!

Sorry to hear about your sister, and hope she makes a good recovery. I had anti-nausea meds, but much preferred to nibble on ginger, biscuits or candied, whatever I could find, but my very best present while in hospital was a basket of pot plants, sent by Interflora I think, which really freshened the room and came from a friend too far away to visit.