Gifts for someone undergoing medical treatment?

Parents Forum Parent Cafe
21

This is exactly what we sent my sister during her first chemo treatments. Fuzzy socks and a warming electric throw that was soft. Costco had these all. She used them all the time.

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22

As someone who recently went through a similar situation, I most appreciated cards and letters with thoughtful, loving, funny personal sentiments. Flowers were nice also.

I didn’t need any material things. But just knowing that friends and relatives were thinking of me was the best thing to brighten my mood. (Relatives and friends who ‘ghosted’ me, never sent a get well card, email, text, etc. are now ‘off my list’.) Illness lets you know who your true friends are.

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23

My husband had cancer some 25 years ago (wow!) when the kids were little. I appreciated food gifts and just knowing people were thinking about us. He had very little appetite so he did not eat much of the food, but it helped those of us who were hungry and had little time to cook or shop. He did love knowing that people were thinking of him.

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24

I just sent the Mayo Clinic book on Breast Cancer to the cousin who just had a mastectomy. She is not well-informed on the decisions facing her, and I felt a book would be a good substitute for me giving lectures! I am also going to her oncology appointment with her. She lives some distance away, but I think that is the best gift I can give her. I will stay quiet and take notes and just try to be there for her.

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25

My daughter called yesterday. She signed up with one of the charities for house cleaning. She finally got off the waitlist. She signed up when she stated chemo. In August.

She wasn’t sure how much she would like it. It’s just 2 of them and they are very clean. They do have a dog and all the dog hair. I didn’t even think of doing that for her because the house is very neat.

Daughter was so happy! Loved the house cleaning. It was so nice to have the whole house clean. My daughter tipped the house cleaner and the cleaner cried!

My daughter’s only regret is that she forgot to get her name so they could hire the cleaner. It was a donation so used a service. I’m sure they can get things set up. The charity gives 2 cleaning sessions a month apart.

So I guess I’m recommending that house cleaning is a great gift!

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