What to get someone going through chemo/radiation?

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rrwins
rrwins Member Posts: 5
edited December 2017 in Caregivers #1

I just posted a question in the oral cancer section and I thought maybe I should check this forum as you may have done it for a loved one.

 

My Father in Law just had cancer surgery and had his jaw bone removed. He is going through chemo and radiation tomorrow.

 

I am going to visit him and wanted to know if I can purchase anything that would lessen his pain or soothe him any?

 

Even if it's a home made concoction, please share your opinion.

 

Love to all of you.

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  • Catholic
    Catholic Member Posts: 86
    #2
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    When my wife went through

    When my wife went through chemotherapy, she was bored...big time.  I often got her something to do.  I put together
    a photo album (yeah its cheesy but she liked it), I got her some books (becuase you just sit there for like 4 hours during
    chemotherapy) and I occasionally got her some magazines.  I also got her a large cross stitch kit which she worked on.
    Your father-in-law probably wont like the cross-stitch kit, but magazines and/or books helps.  My wife complained about
    boredom more than any physical pain.  Chemotherapy is literally just sitting there for extended periods of time with this
    machine connected to a port that is implanted in the body. 

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,368 Member
    #3
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    How thoughtful, rrwins. 

    How thoughtful, rrwins.  Having sat in the chemo bed, (I was lucky and had a bed so I could nap) I loved having someone with me.  I can tell you I think your presence is going to be the best gift to him.  I agree with Catholic, a book to read if you know what he likes, but spending time will be so very much appreciated.  I had my friends come and take notes in a little notebook I had on things to remember for my treatments.  For me, when they pushed one of the chemos too fast the nurses slowed it down and we asked to "what" and wrote it down to remember for the next time.  Additionally, we wrote down all the names of the chemo nurses.  I took that list and bought a Crabtree soap for each of them at the end of it all. 

     

  • rrwins
    rrwins Member Posts: 5
    #4
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    Catholic said:

    When my wife went through

    When my wife went through chemotherapy, she was bored...big time.  I often got her something to do.  I put together
    a photo album (yeah its cheesy but she liked it), I got her some books (becuase you just sit there for like 4 hours during
    chemotherapy) and I occasionally got her some magazines.  I also got her a large cross stitch kit which she worked on.
    Your father-in-law probably wont like the cross-stitch kit, but magazines and/or books helps.  My wife complained about
    boredom more than any physical pain.  Chemotherapy is literally just sitting there for extended periods of time with this
    machine connected to a port that is implanted in the body. 

    Thank you

    Thank you so much for your answer and my utmost love and wishes to you. I can't even imagine what you must have gone through, but I know that your wife is lucky to have you.

    Thank you again for taking the time, and love and prayers for your family.

    Merry Christmas.

  • rrwins
    rrwins Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2017 #5
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    NoTimeForCancer said:

    How thoughtful, rrwins. 

    How thoughtful, rrwins.  Having sat in the chemo bed, (I was lucky and had a bed so I could nap) I loved having someone with me.  I can tell you I think your presence is going to be the best gift to him.  I agree with Catholic, a book to read if you know what he likes, but spending time will be so very much appreciated.  I had my friends come and take notes in a little notebook I had on things to remember for my treatments.  For me, when they pushed one of the chemos too fast the nurses slowed it down and we asked to "what" and wrote it down to remember for the next time.  Additionally, we wrote down all the names of the chemo nurses.  I took that list and bought a Crabtree soap for each of them at the end of it all. 

     

    Thank you

    NoTime - YOU are a CHAMPION! Love your display picture and thank you so much for sharing your experience.

    And what a wonderful person you must be, to be so thoughtful to think of others admist your own trials and tribulation.

    Salute your spirit!

  • kd25
    kd25 Member Posts: 3
    #6
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    this might be useful?

    Hi rrwins - so sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Glad he is getting the treatment he needs. Chemo and radiation can just be a lot of waiting, so maybe some activities are a great idea, as others have mentioned above. Or a warm blanket in case the room is cold. 

    I saw this the other day and it has some more ideas for chemo things. https://livebetterwith.com/community/ultimate-gift-guide/ 

    Sending you lots of love and hoping for your father-in-law's quick recovery! 

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    edited December 2017 #7
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    Things to do during chemo

    MP3 player.  Tablet (our doc office had wifi).  Books.  Scratch off tickets.  Husband got a large dose of benedril before each treatment.  He actually slept thru a good part of the time.  I did the cross stitch and read the books!

    Best wishes to your family!

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