TIPS FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENT

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mopar
mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello:
Although I am new to this discussion board, I'm not new to the website. My daugther just found out that her boyfriend's mother has breast cancer. Although I have never met her, I would like to send along a 'care package' with my daugther to give to her. Having been through OVCA twice, I have a pretty good idea what she is about to go through. So I'll be including a fleece cap (that I usually make myself), maybe a book to read if she's a reader, some hard candies to get rid of the 'nasty taste and feeling' in her mouth, etc. I may not be able to find out what type of chemo she will be having, but she will have chemo first, then surgery. So, I've got some ideas to start with. Can anyone suggest some other items I can include in the basket?

Thank you so much for any input. Thoughts and prayers to all of you enduring this disease, or caring for someone with this disease.

(((HUGS)))
Monika

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  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #2
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    good book
    humor, dvd with shows, "Thinking of you" card, something what makes her laugh and appreciate life. I would wait for a cap until she actually start Chemo. From my experience emotional support is more important than things.
    New Flower
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #3
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    New Flower said:

    good book
    humor, dvd with shows, "Thinking of you" card, something what makes her laugh and appreciate life. I would wait for a cap until she actually start Chemo. From my experience emotional support is more important than things.
    New Flower

    Funny movies are always
    Funny movies are always great. Magazines, we all love magazines. A journal with a nice pen to write down her daily thoughts or information about her treatment. I also got some nice soft jammies to wear. These are just a few things that I got.

    Debby
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #4
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    You sound
    very thoughtful-that's nice! I remember how much I loved gifts and flowers when I was sick!
    I think one of my favorite basket of goodies contained books,a couple of dvd's(you can even get them already viewed from your video store for under 10 bucks-or from Wally World),and nice tea and ginger snaps(ginger being good for nausea). Just a few ideas,you don't have to do it all..She's going to have to be doing a lot of resting hopefully,so things to help her relax!
    Once again,how nice of you to do this for her,and though yours wasn't the same kind of cancer,you do have an idea or 2 what she will be going through-maybe a phone call or email from you or visit(call first to see if she is up to it!!)would be nice!
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    #5
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    outdoorgirl said:

    You sound
    very thoughtful-that's nice! I remember how much I loved gifts and flowers when I was sick!
    I think one of my favorite basket of goodies contained books,a couple of dvd's(you can even get them already viewed from your video store for under 10 bucks-or from Wally World),and nice tea and ginger snaps(ginger being good for nausea). Just a few ideas,you don't have to do it all..She's going to have to be doing a lot of resting hopefully,so things to help her relax!
    Once again,how nice of you to do this for her,and though yours wasn't the same kind of cancer,you do have an idea or 2 what she will be going through-maybe a phone call or email from you or visit(call first to see if she is up to it!!)would be nice!

    how wonderful!
    what about socks, lotions, mints, or other hard candy..... just a few that came to mind :) o and love the PJ's idea I love pajamas!!!
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #6
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    pinkflutterby said:

    how wonderful!
    what about socks, lotions, mints, or other hard candy..... just a few that came to mind :) o and love the PJ's idea I love pajamas!!!

    My favorite gift came from
    My favorite gift came from my oldest son. He sent me a DVD with lots of books on tape. These were a lifesaver while I was taking chemo...I would get plugged into the drip, plug into the DVD, and close my eyes and listen to the book. It made my treatment very peaceful, and my mind was off on something else. Just an idea. You are so kind to be thinking of her during this time. Hugs. Judy
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    #7
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    creampuff91344 said:

    My favorite gift came from
    My favorite gift came from my oldest son. He sent me a DVD with lots of books on tape. These were a lifesaver while I was taking chemo...I would get plugged into the drip, plug into the DVD, and close my eyes and listen to the book. It made my treatment very peaceful, and my mind was off on something else. Just an idea. You are so kind to be thinking of her during this time. Hugs. Judy

    I was always running out to
    I was always running out to target for something, so here are some of my ideas
    tylenol
    tea, peppermint is good
    ginger ale
    imodium
    saltines
    magazines
    tums
    socks or slippers
    tucks
    apple sauce
    juices..pomegrant ice-tea is awesome
    a daily planner (for appts...etc)
    I guess these are very practical things, but they were all necessary for me
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #8
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    meena1 said:

    I was always running out to
    I was always running out to target for something, so here are some of my ideas
    tylenol
    tea, peppermint is good
    ginger ale
    imodium
    saltines
    magazines
    tums
    socks or slippers
    tucks
    apple sauce
    juices..pomegrant ice-tea is awesome
    a daily planner (for appts...etc)
    I guess these are very practical things, but they were all necessary for me

    didi someone say chapstick?

    didi someone say chapstick?
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #9
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    carkris said:

    didi someone say chapstick?

    didi someone say chapstick?

    soup
    chicken noodle, preferably homemade.
    frozen casseroles with very little spices.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #10
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    Mama G said:

    soup
    chicken noodle, preferably homemade.
    frozen casseroles with very little spices.

    A journal, tea tree oil for
    A journal, tea tree oil for nails, bath oil,dove soap,ginger ale, scarf, and this web site.
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #11
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    And thoughts and prayers for you Monika
    for a lifetime of remission!!
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #12
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    Mama G said:

    soup
    chicken noodle, preferably homemade.
    frozen casseroles with very little spices.

    Candles, food, magazines,
    Candles, food, magazines, movies, flowers, thank you cards, just anything that you might want if you were laid up for awhile.

    Megan
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #13
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    outdoorgirl said:

    And thoughts and prayers for you Monika
    for a lifetime of remission!!

    THANK YOU ALL!
    And thank you, outdoorgirl! I hope that you are well, too.

    Thanks for all the info. I was looking back in my journal to see everything that I used, and seems like we all have much in common. Guess chemo is pretty much universal as far as the toll it takes on your body. Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions. AND your SPEEDY responses! I'm going to recommend this site to the lady. I'll visit again soon.

    Blessings and health to all of you!

    Monika
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #14
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    One of the best gifts I got
    Was a cashmere blanket when I was going through chemo last winter. So a nice warm blanket for all those cold winter days on the couch watching movies might be nice. You're really sweet to do this, Monika.

    Mimi
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #15
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    mimivac said:

    One of the best gifts I got
    Was a cashmere blanket when I was going through chemo last winter. So a nice warm blanket for all those cold winter days on the couch watching movies might be nice. You're really sweet to do this, Monika.

    Mimi

    Mimi,
    That reminded me of a care box that my sister sent-a huge fuzzy,warm PINK blanket,a box of good chocolates,some shea butter and some other ointment to put on my skin during rads.
    And Monika,thanks in advance for telling her about this board-I know it will prove to be invaluable to her.And I am in remission as well-have been blessed to have 2 years of "clean"mammograms so far!
  • lhb200
    lhb200 Member Posts: 14
    #16
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    Hi
    One of the "happy gifts" I enjoyed was a pre paid phone card. My dear friend lives so many miles from me and she wanted me to call her any time and not to have to worry about the phone bill. It was such a nice thought!! Just having the card and knowing I could talk to her made it sooo nice!!
    Good luck and God Bless!!
    Linda
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #17
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    outdoorgirl said:

    Mimi,
    That reminded me of a care box that my sister sent-a huge fuzzy,warm PINK blanket,a box of good chocolates,some shea butter and some other ointment to put on my skin during rads.
    And Monika,thanks in advance for telling her about this board-I know it will prove to be invaluable to her.And I am in remission as well-have been blessed to have 2 years of "clean"mammograms so far!

    I was just coming on to say
    I was just coming on to say a nice, soft lap blanket! Seems we are all pretty much on the same page, aren't we? I love the comfy, snuggly safe feeling of being enveloped under a blanket...and if I close my eyes and envision good things, even better! I have relaxation CD's, the kind of music you generally hear during a massage. It is soothing background "noise" and I find it condusive to relaxing.

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
  • TLynn0102
    TLynn0102 Member Posts: 86
    #18
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    lhb200 said:

    Hi
    One of the "happy gifts" I enjoyed was a pre paid phone card. My dear friend lives so many miles from me and she wanted me to call her any time and not to have to worry about the phone bill. It was such a nice thought!! Just having the card and knowing I could talk to her made it sooo nice!!
    Good luck and God Bless!!
    Linda

    Hi Monika
    This is such a wonderful thing your are doing, know that the person receiving this gift will be very appreciative of it. One thing I received during my treatments was a super soft Teddy Bear. Every oncologist patient received one at the hospital I received my treatments at. It was nice just to lay on the couch and wrap my arms around him. He made the bad days feel a little better. God Bless you!
    Tracey
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #19
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    TLynn0102 said:

    Hi Monika
    This is such a wonderful thing your are doing, know that the person receiving this gift will be very appreciative of it. One thing I received during my treatments was a super soft Teddy Bear. Every oncologist patient received one at the hospital I received my treatments at. It was nice just to lay on the couch and wrap my arms around him. He made the bad days feel a little better. God Bless you!
    Tracey

    THANK YOU!
    It is so wonderful to see even more posts today on my quest for info. I have not found out much more, except that she is Stage 3, and will start chemo this coming Thursday. I'll be taking all of your suggestions and putting a pink tote bag with goodies together today. As time goes on, I'm sure I can still send along a thing or two to add to it.

    Prayers and hugs to all of you warriors, survivors, caregivers, and wonderful people! Have a great day!

    (((HUGS)))

    Monika

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