Care package for best friend

[Choconuts]

My best friend has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and will need chemo very soon.

I live the other end of the country and want to send her a box of goodies to cheer her up. I was thinking a book, chocs and maybe scarf. Has anyone got any suggestions that aren't too heavy as I will be posting. Thanks

Hi, have you looked at this site? they have a mini gift set that might be nice for her whilst she is hospital. There are other nice things on the site too.

www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com/collections/chemotherapy-get-well-gifts/products/mini-chemo-gift-set

Tricky one, as everyone reacts differently to the different chemos. I found my skin was SO SORE AND ITCHY so woollen things for me were not great. And I struggled to eat certain things.

What about Netflix subscription, or Google play or nowtv vouchers? (Does she have a tablet or kindle to watch films and read books on?)

Showing you care is the main thing, obvs. And that you still respond to her as your friend, not as ChemoFriend.

Hogkin's chemo is quite a harsh one and can be quite long winded. Netflix/Amazon prime and audible subscriptions would be good.

I'd avoid food - chemo related aversions can last a long time and it would be sad to feel sick at the thought of chocolate!

Subscription to Audible - low effort speaking books to entertain during chemo

Oh sorry, cross post!

I’m not sure “cheer her up” is the phrase you’re looking for in this situation. Not much to be cheerful about in her situation, and it sounds a bit flippant tbh. Please don’t use those words on any accompanying card.

Perhaps a little brutal Herat?

OP it's lovely that you're thinking of her and chances are you won't necessarily cheer her up or take her mind off things, but hopefully she'll receive things in the spirit with which they are intended. Have you spoken to her to see how she is feeling?

As others have said, stuff to occupy time gets my vote: books/ kindle/ Amazon vouchers/ crossword books. Anything like that.

Has she got someone to take her and sit with her? Could you perhaps make the trip one time if she's up for it? I know you said you're a long way away, but that would be the most amazing gesture.

Could you send her some sort of voucher for take aways / easy meals? So when she does want to eat she can have an easy meal with no effort?

Flippant?

"I've just been diagnosed with a life limiting illness"

"Ah! Well here's something to cheer you up"

A friend of mine had chemo for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. She really appreciated nice smelling toiletries, a get well card with a heartfelt message (cos she only wanted to hear positivity); and wanted to eat lots of Chinese takeaways and ice cream (as hospital food did not look the best), on days when her appetite was better!

Lovely pyjamas? Very much agree with Netflix/audible or similar

Food wouldn’t be great but my aunt went through this and used to always complain it gave her a dry mouth. She liked some boiled sweets to suck on for flavour. Just a thought maybe everyone won’t feel like that.

It's such a tricky one as everyone responds differently to chemo. I've really gone off chocolate.

My hands are always really dry so I love nice hand creams. I also like audiobooks as I often cannot concentrate enough to read.

It's perfectly possible to be cheerful whilst having cancer and receiving thoughtful cards and gifts from friends and family really cheers me up!

Depending on your friend's personality, there's some quite amusing cards with messages like "fuck cancer". I sent one to a friend whose mum had terminal cancer and they both appreciated it. I'd steer clear of any messages about "fighting" or being "brave" as many people dislike that sort of thing, and might feel pressured to seem brave even if not feeling it.

To be honest I'd maybe send a small gift and card now, then wait and see what side effects she gets and send something else a bit later. That would be especially nice as there's always lots of support, flowers, cards etc to begin with, but then it dwindles.

You sound like a lovely friend