Wanting to reach out

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Trix
Trix Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
After one year of being diagnosed with breast cancer, my aunt has just informed the family. We are 2500 miles away from her. She's young, early 50's, and energetic. Her spirits are high. She's been in treatment (chemo) for 5 months. I want to send her something. Any suggestions of what someone needs while going through treatment??? I want to reach out, but don't know how.

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  • jdubious
    jdubious Member Posts: 113
    #2
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    Something that might be nice would be a gift certificate to a spa or for a massage. Another idea might be a gift certificate for a house cleaning service, or you could even send her some lobsters (if she's eating) Chemo made me tired, so anything that lightened the load at home or made me feel special was great. She's lucky to have someone so thoughtful!
    jill
  • lindatn
    lindatn Member Posts: 229
    #3
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    In the year I was in treatment my friends and family called often, sent flowers, funny cards, gift certificates to my favorite places to eat. What does she enjoy doing? We really are not any different then we were before cancer so whatever she might of liked before bc she still enjoys. I appreciated all my friends and relatives who put me on their prayer lists at their churches or place of worship. I think most of us did not want hats or scraves or other head covering or anything that really reminded us of cancer. A movie ticket would be welcome if she enjoys movies. Good books if she reads. Current pictures of your family since you are far away. I'm sure many more gals will write with more ideas. God Bless Linda
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #4
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    The things I really appreciated having the most were the sleeveless cotton night shirts our future daughter in law picked out, and the one quart water bottle from one of my sisters. But you don't have to sent stuff. A cheerful thinking of you card with a note is nicest. Someone with whom I worked sent a whole bunch with different cat photos on the front. My first thought upon seeing one of them was Gang of Three. It had a big scrappy male cat in the middle, and a sidekick on each side. Another coworker sent a hilarious story about grabbing her doctor by the tie in the cardiology lab and scaring the raisins out of him. I still giggle when I think of that. Online, if you want to, there are really pretty and yummy gifts at Cheryl's Berries and Mrs. Fields cookies. I've sent people the soup mug with soups collection from FTD I think. Someone sent me a huge basket of silk flowers that is the first thing I see every morning. It is on top of my armoire. It has spikes of grey **** willow in it that remind me of my husband's Russian Orthodox heritage and the beauty of learning about his family's customs at Christmas and Easter. I also like anecdotes from collegues about our hijinks of years past at work... anything that brings laughter is great.

    Hope this helps.
    Love,
    Denise

    I salute your Aunt's courage. I have found that the more I divulge to family members other than my husband and sons, the more aggrevation I have on my hands.
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #5
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    Cards, cards and more cards. The silver lining of the whole cancer experience for me was to actually experience the love my family and friends have for me. Make a notation on your calendar every other week or so to send her a card or note, tell her you love her and why she is so important to you and your family. Keep it light and humorous, laughter is the best medicine! Sounds like she is doing great.
  • PJMP
    PJMP Member Posts: 9
    #6
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    When I was going to daily radiation I had a paperchain of 35 links(like the ones we all made as children )with me. My co-workers had written something funny or encouraging on each link. As I was driving from treatment back to work I'd tear off a link and read it. It always brought a smile to my face or a tear of joy for their support & friendship. It didn't cost a cent but it was priceless. Some variation of this might give your aunt ongoing support and encouragement. Be sure to also let her know that she now has a whole new group of BC survivors thinking of her and wishing her well.
  • hankscrw
    hankscrw Member Posts: 3
    #7
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    I know when I was battling with chemo, my family and friends were so important with support of happy thoughts, prayers,laughter, meals etc. I know living far away sending cards or funny books, pictures etc is fun. I was so sensitive to smells and tastes that I would have to have VERY bland foods and not cooked in the home. I don't know if she would be dealing with this but I know prayers and laughter is what I enjoyed the most and that you can do from a far. God bless her and your family. Jean

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