Chemotherapy

[Wilburisagirl]

Hi all, my brother has testicular cancer and will be starting chemo soon. It sounds like it's precautionary as they have removed the teste and they're pretty sure it's localised. But even if it's only for a short time, I know it will be hard.

I live across the other side of Australia and so cannot be of practical help so I would like to send him a care pack of sorts. I just don't really know what would be useful. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

I’m midway through chemo. The side effects can differ depending on the drug used. Do you know how long his sessions will be? I’ve had some 6.5 hours long and some 2 hours long on different drugs!

The things I’ve used the most are microwaveable heat bags, puzzle books and my Snoozeband. Also boiled sweets to suck on and stop the nausea. My favourite little bits someone bought me are a pair of warm socks with “lucky” and “socks” on the bottom and a pin badge saying fighting pants are on. They might be a bit girly though!

The heat bags are great for the aches and pains. Chemo also makes my skin very oily and spotty for a week or so so I use reusable cotton pads and nice face cleanser etc but again, girly. If he’ll lose his hair maybe a nice winter hat? Not all drugs induce hair loss.

www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com/collections/care-packages?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_LDn1a7a-gIVk77tCh21Hgg-EAAYASAAEgLudfD_BwE
is one company that offer them- lots of others, Etsy etc offer chemo care packages.

Thank you so much for providing this link. My Dad has terminal oesophageal cancer and I’ve never saw things like this before.

@AGreatUsername I really hope you are doing okay

@Wilburisagirl Like the other poster said it depends on the drugs he has but my Dad has things like a long hot water bottle, self heating gloves and things like diabetic socks because he has tingling in his hands and feet straight after his chemo. Blankets, hats, a sick bucket. Ensure, dioralyrte and things like berocca energy tablets.

My Dad has a lot of sensitivity in his face, so shaving is incredibly hard for him. Sensitivity face creams.

Food vouchers ( deliveroo etc…)so inbetween nauseous episodes, he can have whatever he fancies delivered!

Thanks for these ideas. Some good ones. Sorry to hear you're going through chemo. We don't know many details yet, I think he finds out next week.

Ooh some lovely hampers there. I will
See if I can find something similar in Aus. If not I can borrow ideas anyway.

@LK2021 thanks for those ideas. Very sorry about your Dad.

I’m sure there will be some available in oz- try Etsy or cancer charities?
lots of good suggestions on here. My dd bought me a lovely water bottle I took to every chemo- and she made me a blanket.

Thank you.

Thank you. I really hope your brother has good news and he doesn’t have many side effects from his chemo.

I did find this www.pcfa.org.au Maybe give them a ring, support are there for you just as they are for your brother. Don’t deal with it on your own.

There is this hopecancercare.com.au which is care packages and gift packs in Australia

That's great, thanks for letting me know of that site. And thanks for the wishes for my brother. We were all so worried for him but feel better about things since his latest tests & surgery.