Advice please............................................

[badelaide]

........on what to give to my dearest lifelong friend when I visit her tomorrow?
She has breast cancer and is having a mastectomy next week. She's Mum to 3 small dd's. Nothing I can give seems adequate, she has a lot of family support and hasn't (yet) needed me for help with dd's. Also what shall I take her when I visit her after the operation? Any experience anyone?
Thanks.

Anyone? I'm just looking for a gesture really. If I can't think of anything else I shall pick her some flowers I think.
(Have to do a midnight raid on the neighbours' gardens, mine's crap atm)

bumping for you....sorry, no advice

How about some magazines to help pass the time when she is hospital? Things like that a godsend when you're recovering from an op. Just Hello or something easy to flick through.

Take her some nice face cleanser that does not need water. When my mum had her mastectomy she could not shower or bath for a while has she needed to keep her chest dry. She was desperate to feel clean and hosptial bed baths are nasty. I got her a lovely cleanser and cotton wool pads and she loved it (I also got her toner and moisturiser but it depends what you want to spend). I hope your friend's op goes well.

My friend had a double mastectomy last year. I made her a cake, (just an ordinary banana cake, I'm not Jane Asher) and took it round as a present after the op, once she was home. It shows you spent an hour or so thinking about her and baking your love into it, and it's practical because she's got something to give other visitors when they come by for a cup of tea. I also have her a big candle for her living room. You might think about 3 tiny things for her 3 girls too if you can afford it. Perhaps a comic/magazine each or some pens and a puzzle book. Something to keep them occupied while their Mummy is unwell.
Haven't got any brilliant ideas for a before op pressie though - some nice hand cream for the hospital or a couple of little other toiletries in a bag for her to take?

Agree about some nice easy toiletries to amke hospital stay nicer.
DR Haushka stuff is lovely.

A lovely idea to get something little for the girls after the op.

I know this might sound daft but - Aloe Vera gel for after the op. Can't recommend it highly enough (especially if she is going to have radiotherapy treatment).

My Mum, MIL and SIL's mum have all had breast cancer fairly recently and they all swore by the stuff both during and after the treatments.

Thanks everyone, good ideas all. I shall definitely get the aloe vera gel and a lovely cleanser too, and something for the girls.
I saw her yesterday and it was really good, she is being sooo positive, makes me quite teary just to think of it. We even had a giggle about what she might put in the pocket of her mastectomy bra.

How about a grabber, you know, one of those telescopic type things for when you can't stretch and reach.
I'd imagine it's hard to stretch and reach for a bit after a mastectomy, anyone know?