Child with Cancer-Any Suggestions?

[mars315]

Our family has a good friend, just 14, who has just been diagnosed with brain cancer. If any of you have had someone close to you go through this, or possibly you yourself, we would like help with the following: We are helping the mom as much as possible with meals, driving, cleaning, shopping, etc. But what do you think the 14 year old would appreciate, as she goes through first, radiation, and then chemo? Do you think she would be interested in reading, listening to music, watch dvds, small games that she can take to the hospital, toiletries, makeup, snacks? I really do not know, and we hesitate to ask the mom, for various reasons. So if any of you have experience with what may make a 14-year old dealing with cancer treatment feel a bit better, or just help her to escape for a moment, please let me know.

Thank you so much.

 

[mommytotwo]

You have mentioned alot of different things that her daughter may enough. Maybe after her chemo treatments, you could throw her a small princess party to let her know that she was brave and special for having to deal with everything she had gone through.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I don't have an answer to your question. I will kept the family in my prayers.

You might think about giving her a gift certificate to somewhere and she could get something she would want. If it was me I would want a massage or my nails done.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I know friends will often, if the patient is losing hair from chemo, will shave theirs also, as a sign of togetherness and support. Id o know there are a number of DIS families who have had children in cancer treatment, support is so necessary.

My prayers and best for a good course of treatment, and full remission and a long normal lifetime.

 

[cati]

What about a spa treatment after her chemo treatments. Or a surprise party a week or so after chemo treatments with all her friends and family.

 

[janette]

Lots of hats & pretty scarfs. Magazines so she can have something read that doesn't take lots of concentration. She will probably be spending lots of time in the hospital so all of the things you listed are great. Visit as often as you can, it will help break up the day but understand that she may not always feel like having company.

Prayers for her as she faces this.

 

[zurgswife]

During my step mom's last series of radiation treatments ...I came up with an idea she really loved...

She was supposed to have 20 treatments....

So, I went on a shopping spree.....buying lots of stuff on sale..you could actually get a number of people to chip in depending on how long her treaments go for...

But a wrapped up 20 individual presents with a card that said she was to open on present after each treatment. It sort of gave her something to look forward to after the long day. And she loved it.....It really perked her spirts...

Unfortunately this last series of radiation was after a long battle with breast cancer that she lost a few weeks after this...but I saw my dad this weekend and he mentioned that he had just come across the card last week and how much that all the little gifts had ment...

I put socks, and a hat, clothes, candy, a mickey and minnie, candles...just a hoge podge of stuff...

Good luck with what ever you do and prayers for your friend...

 

[tiggerlover]

My 12 year old niece just finished with her year-long cancer treatments a couple of months ago. You mentioned a lot of great things that my niece really enjoyed. There are many times during chemo that the kids are just too sick to do anything, but there are a whole lot of times that they need to fill lots of empty hours.

Some of the things my niece especially loved were jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, books, having art supplies so she can draw or paint, and games. One of the gifts we gave her, a custom made Build-A-Bear, was a great comfort. I would stay away from food because a lot of the treatments make you sick and food is the last thing you want. Another thing my niece did was to scrapbook her experience.

I am very sorry to hear about your family friend. Cancer is hard enough, but especially so when it effects a child. My prayers are with your friend, she has a long road ahead of her and I pray that the treatments are successful and she has a full recovery.

 

[luvdzny]

DD has a 16 year old friend that is fighting cancer right now. His family set up a website for him for friends & family to keep up to date on his progress and leave notes for him. It is a great way for the kids to sene a message to him and it gives him lots to read when he is resting. It is set up through:
www.caringbridge.org. I am not exactly sure how it was started, but the info is probably on the site.

 

[shortbun]

DS's best friend just underwent chemo for lukemia a 2nd time.
He has said twice that he was so happy to be with us when he
could because we treated him "normal". DS insisted on physical
excersize and friend went as long as he could go. I never gave
him preferential treatment(that he knew about ) but I always
had food in my house that he loved-the steroids really made him
hungry all the time. A little place in my frig is for A. Lots of love,
normal treatment, little presents, hold the pity unless it's obviously necessary. Kids with cancer have all sorts of associations that send them on special outings-to concerts,sports
events, backstage and so forth. Maybe you could do some research in that arena although I be the hospital will supply it.
Stay strong, be faithful.
peace

 

[mars315]

Thanks to all who responded so quickly, for the ideas, and the prayers. I like the idea of the certain number of gifts. Our friend will undergo 30 radiation treatments, so I am off to the dollar store and Target to fill a basket.

Thank You.