Gift Ideas Requested for Cancer Patient

Madisson · ‎10-13-2011

Hi everyone ~ I haven't been on here much at all recently. My 91 year old mother fell and fractured her leg in two places (ankle and femur) a month ago. She was in an assisted living facility and now is on the other side of it....skilled nursing. This ordeal is keeping me on the run constantly. I knew how much work being a caregiver at home is, but I never realized all the work involved in being a caregiver to someone in skilled nursing.

My favorite aunt and uncle (who are in their mid 70's) sent her an absolutely gorgeous sheep skin comforter with a velvet cover. It is so warm and comforting just to touch it.

Now it turns out that this same aunt needs surgery for cancer in the eye .Fortunately, it has not metastasized. She will have a radiation implant inserted so most of her treatment will be outpatient. I am looking for the perfect gift to send her. Any and all ideas would be much appreciated.

Thank you all so much, and I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful autumn weather!

Some people do drugs. I do shoes....Celine Dion

Bellabutterfly · ‎04-10-2014

What about a lovely...Robe & Slippers? Or a beautiful throw with a selection of nice teas and an audio book CD?

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

So sorry to hear what happened to you dear mother!

I take it you don't live close enough to your aunt to be able to help out with meals and housekeeping?

Not sure how old your uncle is, but maybe he could use some help for a few weeks as far as a maid service?

Some people wouldn't want that (me!), but some people would love the idea. You know your aunt best for that situation.

I hope all your loved ones get well soon!

ChynnaBlue · ‎05-22-2012

@Bellabutterfly wrote:
What about a lovely...Robe & Slippers? Or a beautiful throw with a selection of nice teas and an audio book CD?

I love both of these ideas. My father is about to undergo radiation and will have to go in every day for months for the treatment. Since the treatment is ongoing, you might even consider something like a tea of the month club, where she would get a new item each month. Most of the online tea shops have them - Adagio,Teavana, Art of Tea, Republic of Tea, etc. Most do 6-12 months subscriptions, so you could do a 6 month run. Or you could package up your own set with one audio book and one box of tea each month.

My dad enjoys reading and his eyes are good, so I bought him a Kindle Voyage to read books on while he's getting his treatment. Audio books are probably better for someone getting treatment for the eye.

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GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I am a cancer patient. The top things I need is help buying groceries, cleaning the house, home upkeep and rides to treatment. I need people's time. I'm going to assume her husband has that covered. You could ask her husband what area he thinks he'll need help with and build from there. For example you may not live close enough for rides, but do they live in a snowy area and need the driveway cleared. We're not too far from that time of year. You could get a service lined up to come a couple times.

Chrystaltree2 · ‎12-08-2014

Personally, I think you should be looking for a gift for your aunt. Not for a "cancer patient". She' still the same person, she hasn't morphed into a "cancer patient". I find that a little offensive. Defining people by their illnesses. There are have been enormous strides in cancer treatment today and many people go through their treamtent and never actually feel ill. They don't become disabled or sick. Between treatment, they live their normal lives. Since your aunt's treatment will be outpatient, that might indeed be the case with her. So, if you are going to give her a gift, just give her something lovely or cute or funny that will give her pleasure. She might have some vision deficits, so I wouldn't buy books or magazines. I know nothing about the lady, so it's impossible of offer any suggestions.

PINKdogWOOD · ‎05-13-2010

@GCR18 First, I'm saying a prayer or two for you because I believe in prayers and I know you need them. Stay Strong in all you do and must go through. Folks like me are here for you. Let me just say, been there done that. We recovered (husband).

@Madisson I'd go with the list, any and all from Ms GCR18. Many of the things notes are things that I'd suggest ie trips to treatments, dropping off or fixing good meals for both. Offer some housework help, trips to the grocer. Anything these folks will appreciate.

I know trips for treatments drain the patient and and the caregiver at times. This would be a good. God bless you and your parents. The BEST to all, and prayers of course.

curlywhitedog · ‎03-09-2010

Chrystaltree:

While I understand your good intentions regarding separating the patient from the disease, you could not be more wrong when you say she's still the same person (aunt) she was. Sadly she isn't. Like it or not, a cancer diagnosis changes who we are. Forever.

But there's a big difference between being defined by your illness and having your illness taken into consideration when someone is purchasing a gift for you. As someone who has been battling this insidious disease for almost three years, I can tell you that my needs have changed tremendously since I climbed aboard the chemo train for the first time in 2012 and have, unfortunately, purchased many tickets since.

The OP was absolutely correct when she identifed the gift recipient as a cancer patient, that information helps a great deal in suggesting a gift appropriate for giving. It leads one down the road to selecting things for people whose dietary needs have changed and who may no longer be able to use a gift certificate to a gourmet restaurant. Purchasing a popular movie on DVD and sticking it in a basket with some tea and fresh muffins would be a better choice than two tickets to a Saturday matinee for someone whose immune system has been compromised and can't be in crowded spaces with strangers. Cancer just changes things, things most people don't even think about. I agree about being careful not to define anyone as only a cancer patient but once cancer is there it must be taken into consideration.

I didn't post this to be snarky, snarky is not my style but what I was hoping to do was to shed some light on how cancer changes things for the people it affects. I hope you took this advice in the spirit with which it is given.

Maria

maestra · ‎03-09-2010

I am a cancer patient also and I take w/a grain of salt crystaltree's position that cancer treatment advances leave no side effects! I'd ask her to visit the Wellness forum here at the Q and read about the side effects on the cancer surviviors thread before speaking. Yes, if your aunt has special interests that may be a clue at to a gift she would enjoy.

Giving of your time may be the most precious thing you can give, even consider decorating and undecorating for the holidays, or simple chores around the house if you are close by. Sometimes time is what we don't have enough of, so what you can give is very meaningful.

RainyDayGal · ‎03-09-2010

You don't say how old your aunt and uncle are? Will they need help with shopping, chores, laundry, etc.? You could check into a cleaning service or an agency that provides help with those things. Or even something like a home food delivery service, or prepared meals.