Gifts for a friend with cancer?

mlg78 · February 2015

A friend was diagnosed with cancer about two months ago. At that time I sent him a gift card to his salon to do a little pampering. In a couple of weeks I'm taking him to chemo and I'd like to give him something then...any suggestions? I'm drawing a blank...

lyndausvi · February 2015

Do you have a grocery store that delivers? I give GC to PeaPod or similar stores to new moms. They are always a hit. I would think someone with cancer might also appreciate food being delivered right to their home.

drunkenwitch · February 2015

A stack of fun mindless magazines to read while is at the doctors. Or some funny, uplifting audio books to listen if he is too tired to read, David Sedaris is always an excellent choice.

climbingsingle · February 2015

When my aunt had cancer, we hired someone to clean her house. We also had food delivered to her. I also got her a warm hat and comfy pajamas.

tcnoble · February 2015

I would hesitate to give anything food related, besides a gift card where they can pick their own. When my sister was going through chemo her taste buds were majorly effected and foods she once loved absolutely disgusted her. I like the suggestion of magazines, or if he is am avid reader maybe a new book. My sister always liked handmade blankets, scarves, a comfy sweatshirt, things like that.

novella1186 · February 2015

When a family friend was going through chemo, she always complained of how freezing cold the room was at her doctor's office where she had to sit forever. She really liked warm fuzzy throw blankets, warm fuzzy socks, stuff like that to keep her comfortable, as well as the magazines suggested above. She was a big Sudoku fan, so we got her a big book of puzzles.

Jells2dot0 · February 2015

Everyone's situation going through chemo is different. PPs mentioned bad tasting food because of changing taste buds or being cold and needing blankets. When I went through chemo, I never lost my appetite, everything tasted fine, and I was so hot all of the time that I walked around half naked at home. I'd learn more about how your friend is feeling and the side effects he is experiencing. My DH hired a cleaning service for me and that was fantastic. I was freaking exhausted and barely had enough energry to shower on some days.

wrigleyville · February 2015

I second (third?) the house cleaning idea and grocery delivery.

princessbuttercup09 · February 2015

House cleaning sounds awesome. Maybe a gas gift card? Driving back and forth for treatment could get pricey. I would also consider some nice tea and local organic honey (if you know his taste). It tastes great and it's good for you!

sarahufl · February 2015

Not sure what your budget is, but when my dad was in chemo we bought him an Ipad. It was nice for him to be able to take something small with him instead of a laptop.

hellosweetie1015 · February 2015

I would just come out and ask him what he'd need/use most, and then go with that.

If he says he's always cold, then get him a nice blanket and some nice warm socks. I actually made a tie blanket one time for a friend who was just always cold (no chemo or anything, just cold natured) and it was about as inexpensive as a good-quality microfleece blanket, and so much warmer to boot because it was double-layered. If, on the flip side, he's always hot, get some cooling things - portable fans, mister bottle, one of those fancy Chill Towel things (I don't know what they're called or what they do exactly, but they're fantastic - you twist them or something and then put them on your neck and they're really cold. Like the opposite of Hot Hands).

If he gets bored out of his mind in the doctor's offices, get a tote-type bag he would not hate to carry, a bunch of magazines that he'd like, and some different kinds of puzzle books. Even if you love sudoku, you can only do so many before you get sick of them. Or gift cards to the appropriate app store - either GooglePlay, Apple's App Store, or whatever Windows uses, depending on his phone.

If food would help, get him gift cards to grocery stores or restaurants he'd like to eat at (if he can eat at restaurants??? I don't have a lot of experience with chemo patients, but I seem to remember some dietary restrictions when my great-uncle was on it? I legitimately don't know if that's a thing or not, because his diet was already pretty restrictive before he went on chemo). If gas would be most useful, get him a few gas cards.

Something that I would appreciate myself, I think, would be company. If you're able to accompany him to some of his chemo treatments, I would see if he'd like me to do so. Maybe not every time, but a couple of them. I know I wouldn't want to attend those alone. Not everyone would appreciate/desire/need that, but it's one of the instances that I think I'd like to have someone there with me.

WhatawagSBNy · February 2015

Books and blankets. It depends on the particular meds, some people are nauseous a lot, other drugs affect the taste buds.

Because of meds, people who eat little at meals when nauseous become hungry between times.
A tin of brown sugar fudge (like penuche) or very plain Kraft caramels or Sugar Babies, which basically dissolve in the mouth as chewed and leave little to swallow for someone with swollen glands due to chemo, may give that little blood sugar boost.

Not being able to drink coffee or tea or colas due to upset stomach is something people miss, and forget that often our several beverages a day also have a spoonful of sugar or milk that gives a quick boost, it is not just the caffeine.

wrigleyville · February 2015

If you have the time, you could offer to drive him to chemo. If he's up for company, you could sit and play cards or do word puzzles with him while he receives treatment. My brother always got nauseated right after his appointment, so he had to have someone drive him.**

If you can't take him, or he isn't comfortable with that, perhaps you could help arrange some kind of transportation for him. It may even be covered under his insurance.

** My brother has been in remission for many years; don't take that past tense usage as a bad thing.

mlg78 · February 2015

Wrigleyville & hellosweetie1015 -- In my post I said I'm taking him to chemo. He just started this past Friday. I can't take him this coming Friday but I'm taking him on the 13th and 20th. After that they need to check his blood count to see how he's doing before scheduling things further. He's my best guy friend...I'll certainly be there.

wrigleyville · February 2015

mlg78 said:

Wrigleyville & hellosweetie1015 -- In my post I said I'm taking him to chemo. He just started this past Friday. I can't take him this coming Friday but I'm taking him on the 13th and 20th. After that they need to check his blood count to see how he's doing before scheduling things further. He's my best guy friend...I'll certainly be there.

Aargh. I'm so sorry. I read your post when you first posted it, but since then, I've just been reading responses. I completely forgot you mentioned that.

CMGragain · February 2015

Lemon flavored hard candies and peppermint tea. They help with trhe nasty chemo taste.

lauraukoctober2014 · February 2015

I obviously don't know his situation with cancer but how about something to look forward to when he is better? A trip somewhere perhaps?

mlg78 · February 2015

lauraukoctober2014 said:

I obviously don't know his situation with cancer but how about something to look forward to when he is better? A trip somewhere perhaps?

We're already planning a trip to Chicago in August

Gifts for a friend with cancer?

Re: Gifts for a friend with cancer?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards