Hamper ideas for someone due to start chemo

sfry

Please please don't include any of her "fav smellies", Chemo can have a terrible effect on the sense of smell and heighten it to such an extent that it will make even the lightest of fragrances smell absolutely vile and nauseating.

Diamond_Orchid

Twinings Lemon and Ginger tea bags.
Some luxurious hand and body moisturiser.
A couple of books you think she may like, or magazines.
A nice fluffy bathrobe and slippers.
Nail polish or manicure kit to pass the time.

Hope she gets ok well with it, bless her going in over Xmas

CRANKY40

I sent my friend something every chemo treatment to let her know that I was thinking of her. I sent a small pretty bracelet, socks, a scarf, lip balm, a funny book....that kind of thing. Nothing edible as she was really off all foods as they didn't taste right. She loved getting a card and little present every time she was feeling really rough.

Mayflower10cat

Your friend will so appreciate the fact that you love her enough to put this special pack together. I wouldn't worry too much about 'getting it wrong'; she'll use the gifts that are useful to her. It's more about the support and the fact you took the trouble to pick all these little things to make her feel better. That's what she'll remember.

I've made similar parcels up for two friends recently, both going through chemo and then radiotherapy. Maybe I got everything 'wrong' but all I know is they were so comforted to know that I was there, to be whatever they needed me to be.


One friend was bruising badly so I bought her a huge tube of nice, organic Arnica/aloe vera cream. I also made her a necklace in her favourite colours/gemstones and found some lovely fingerless gloves as she was always cold. My other friend still adored dark chocolate and would nibble tiny amounts of ultra high cocoa, organic choc as it gave her a 'buzz'! I also downloaded lots of photos, daft ones, from happier times for her to giggle over. I bought her little pots of shea butter based moisturiser from a local lady who made organic toiletries with no parabens/sls etc.


Whatever you chose for your friend - know that it will be appreciated far beyond the gift itself.

bouicca21

Ginger as said above to combat nausea.

Pretty scarf to feel half way decent again.

Lifts - the treatment is very debilitating and travel gets to be a major ordeal.

If your friend is doing public transport then a voucher for a costa/ Starbucks on the way would be good. It's not so much the coffee, which may taste vile, but to break up the journey and have a sit and rest.

Gigervamp

Another thing, if you live nearby and can offer to help her practically, like doing shopping. hoovering, washing etc.

I'd suggest offering to help with a specific item, rather than saying "If you need anything, let me know." as when it's an open offer like that, I know that I don't like asking for help and she may be like that too. I don't want to impose. Know what I mean?

kerri_gt

Some really good ideas on here already - what a lovely thoughtful gift.

My only other suggestion is perhaps an adult colouring book and a pack of pencils? She may / may not feel like doing this but it could help pass the time if she does.

disabled_NCIS_fan

I remember my gran saying a good pair of slippers would have been a blessing cause the floor felt so cold to her. Also books, something just completely absorbing or silly. And maybe vouchers for things like 1 girly day or 1 activity of your choice.

Loulou2010

Thanks everyone. Some great ideas. In going to add a few jokey bits in as she has made lots of jokes herself about it.

elisebutt65

Get her nurse to refer her to Look Good Feel Better http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/about
You can't go out for about a week after each session as your immune system is knocked out, so IOU's for shopping trips for her?
My favourite look was huge sunnies and red lipstick, so a glorious red lippie like Mac's Russian Red?
And a good quality eyebrow pencil with some stencils. She won't need the stencils after a while, but it's scary the first few times you draw them on without a guide. I didn't bother with false eyelashes either but did an Thick kohl line instead, so a waterproof eyeliner like Stila Smudgesticks would be fab

I couldn't drink coffee so used to get the hot squashes from bottle green: mulled spice type flavours.

Good luck