Gift for cancer patient?

kelda_shelton

I have just found out that my uncle, who lives 6 hours drive away, has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

He had an op on his colon to see what was happening there as they thought he might have chrones disease after losing 2 stones since Christmas. But when they went in they removed stuff which they knew was cancer. They waited for the test results for a week to be told that they didn't manage to cut all of it away and its started to spread so so he will need agressive chemo but only once he has completely healed from the original op.

I want to get him something but have absolutely no idea what to get him. I also have absolutely no idea what to say to him. Can't be food as he can't eat anything at the mo and is being tube fed and once he can he'll need really healthy stuff not to rich stiff (and hes a rich food, green and blacks chocolate fine wine type fancy ales type of guy) , he has all the suduko puzzle books he could hope for. And apparently he's only just getting the energy to read the papers.

Not sure how long he'll be in the hospital or if he'll get out fairly quickly to recover at home before chemo begins as an outpatient.

help!

Soundgirlrocks

Hi, My Dad really liked having music to listen to whilst he had his chemo, he could listen to it on the bed and shut out the noise of the hospital. Hope your Uncle has a ok time on the chemo.

kelda_shelton

Thankyou. That's a good idea. I have no idea if he has an Ipod or not but could pick up a cheapy and stick some songs on it, maybe some reading books, and some sports podcasts.

Lynsey

I'll go along with the music idea as well. Load up an ipod (they are fairly cheap) with his style of music.

Again, best wishes to your uncle and his recovery.

Lynsey

iloveboots

Hi
I too had to go through hours of chemo, and i had an ipod with music and also books on it, sometimes you can't concentrate enough to actually read them but listening to them is nice and it drowns out what is going on around you, i used to drift off into a world of mine.
Also Jigsaws was popular with the men when i was in, don't know if he would like them or not.
Good Luck to him, and what a lovely niece you are.
xxx

kelda_shelton

Thanks guys, my hubby picked up a argos alba mp3 player yesterday and last night I put some albums, a talking book and some radio 4 podcasts on it for him. I've wrapped it up and hubby is going to post it off to him today.

missworks2jobs

I know he can't eat much to start with....but what about a little gift box or bag filled with lots of hospital/recovery friendly goodies. I've done a simliar thing for a relative who had a pretty gruelling labour and took a long time recovering at home in bed. I gave her stuff like:

Dry shampoo spray (for when you dont have time/cant be bothered)
Bed/slipper socks
Skin cleansing wipes-again to freshen up when youre stuck in bed all day
Lip balm & hand cream - could work for a guy if you get neutral fragrances
Miniature perfume (aftershave) samples - always makes me feel better if I smell nice
I know he can't eat rich stuff but what about some suck-able boiled sweets can he have them?
A speciailised cookbook (for when he can eat solids again - a bit of inspiration to show that plain food doesn't have to be boring)
Magazines - my cousin didn't feel upto reading a whole book but was better with magazine articles and short stories
Some of those build up recovery drinks/meals (check with his docs which ones he can have) handy and saves him having to go hunt them out and easier than cooking/preparing food when he's feeling grotty.

Chuck them all in a cardboard box and decorate with funky wrapping paper or "best uncle" gift tag or lots of curling ribbon.

Or if he's going to be in hospital and recovering at home how about some comfy jogging bottoms & a hoody to lounge around in or a new dressing gown and novelty slippers (if he's into that stuff - if not go for normal comfy ones or slipper boots).

Hope he gets well soon x x

yummy-mummy-amy

hi,

if your uncle is having chemotherapy, and you add any smellies to the hamper try and get non-perfumed ones as they can affect the skin - i know this as my mum had breast cancer and couldnt use perfume scented bubble baths rc.

scattymam1

Does he support a football team, if he does you could get him a fleece blanket with his team badge on...blankets bring a lot of comfort for cancer patients especially when they in hospital as it can make things a tiny bit more homely!
The mp3 is a great idea - u could download some comdey shows onto it for him, when my mam was in hospital she loved watching the oldies like fawlty towers etc, it took her mind off things a little and laughing did her the world of good during a really horrible time.
Hope he gets well soon x