Gifts for someone beginning chemo??

[tiggerlover]

My 11 year old niece was recently diagnosed with a rare form of children's cancer and she will be having chemotherapy, then surgery, then radiation. This is a very difficult time and I am frustrated that I live half way around the world and can't be there. I would like to send little gifts now and then to help take her mind off of everything (if that is even possible) and I am looking for suggestions. I know nothing about the process so I don't know if certain things are not allowed, but I would just like to try and keep her spirits up as best as possible and let her know that even though we aren't there that we care. I would also love to be able to do something for my sister and BIL, but I have know idea. Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[Jenn]

My father in law is going thru chemo now - so from our experience:

Hats (you don't lose your hair with all drugs but with many you do)

favorite movies (Dad is tired for several days after a treatment and spends that time on the couch watching TV and napping)

 

[Brisully]

I know that when my Mother began her chemo, she received two different teddy bears from Vermont Teddy Bear . They hand make them and ship them out FedEx for you. She really enjoyed them.

 

[Taryn]

Hi,

A friend of mine recommended a cool book. It's called "I Wanna Grow Up, I Wanna Grow Hair and I Wanna to go to Boise" It's by Erma Bombeck and if you know anything about her you know she would deal with the whole thing with compassion and humour. I haven't read it myself but I know it's still available in used copies through Amazon. You might want to send it to the parents first to make sure it's okay though. Amazon can do that for you. It sounds like it's aimed at teens and their families. I know I was scared to buy books about cancer for my Mom when she was doing radiation after a lumpectomy, but she told me it was a comfort to have them. sometimes she got sick of talking about it but still wanted to know she was not alone.

For Mom what about a gift certificate for a spa treatment? For Dad well, I am not sure... maybe a Dad will chime in here.

For you niece maybe some pretty scarves? Being in Italy I bet you have access to some very beautiful ones. I am sure any things that an 11 year old would like that makes them feel pretty would be welcome.

Just a few thoughts...

 

[believe]

My Mom likes to feel that she is accomplishing something, so she helps me complete crafts. She strings pins for me to make Christmas trees. Maybe simple crafts that can be completed, even during chemo would be nice. Magazines/books are also great, Mom does go through these. A headset with relaxation music to listen to during chemo.

Hope this helps....

 

[Dan Murphy]

As with Brian above, I had sent Marie a Vermont Teddy as she started, as well as when she finished.

My prayers and best for your niece, TL. Hoping all goes well.

Dan

 

[peg2001]

These wouldn't ship well but, popsicles. A guy I work with has been through a couple rounds of chemo says they help with the thirst and naseau that are often a part of the treatment.

Peggy

 

[Reginat]

Hi!

My little teenager friend was having medical treatments, and fortunately still enjoyed Barbies. It is easy to send new outfits, etc. through the mail, and there are always new outfits and new dolls coming out.

The new "My Scene" Barbie is supposed to appeal more to 'tweens. The "On the Town" giftset of My Scene Barbie and her new boyfriend River (about $25 at Toys R Us) is especially nice, as Barbie looks very trendy and has "real" eyelashes.

Sending prayers!

Regina in NC

 

[laurabelle]

I am so sorry your neice is going through this. You've gotten some great ideas! I'd just add that for toys, crafts and the like, to send her things that she doesn't have to think too hard to do... chemo brain s*cks!

 

[mom2boys]

I can't imagine how frieghtened she must be. My heart goes out to her & your entire family.

What about age appropriate books on tape? My boys are currently listing to & reading along with Harry Potter on tape. The newest is also available on CD. There seem to be a lot of series out there geared towards girls - don't know if they are on tape.

OR if she's into music, a walkman, lots of batteries & some CDs or gift certificates to pick her own CDS out over the internet.

 

[janette]

What a hard time for you and the family. One of my nephews (12 now) is a 3 yr cancer survivor and it was a very tough year for everyone.

He didn't have the same type of cancer so the treatment maybe a little different but I know he enjoyed all the little things done for him. I think he ended up with 100's of hats and still has most of them. He also has lots of small stuffed animals, dinosaurs, snakes & monkeys mostly.

There wasn't a time when he couldn't have almost anything as far as toys or food. He didn't like hospital food much at all so maybe some gift certificates to fast food or pizza would be good. That might help the family since it really does effect everyone. He was hospitalized for almost all his chemo treatments and also if he got sick so he probably spend almost 6mths in the hospital. It was also a children's hospital so that helps. There are several groups and even sports teams etc that visit the hospital and the children. That really helps to brighten their day. The hospital here has a floor for blood disorder / cancer patients so they especially got special company.

My sisters church sent a basket filled with magazines, small toys & snacks for every hospitalization. It was great not only for him but also because they had lots of visitors and always had plenty of things in the room.

The hospital probably has some kind of game system, maybe find out what they have and send some games. Anything that takes up time

My 11yo DD loves the portable DVD player we got recently. That would be nice for her to have an alternative to TV, she might have some favorite movies.

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I agree with the teddy bear idea. A friend gave me one that went to the hospital with me when I had breast cancer. In fact, he went with me to all my doctor's visits and still goes in my purse with me when I go for mammograms. Anything soft and cuddly so that she can hold it when she feels afraid.

Magazines, books, movies, games, crafts, music, good-smelling sprays and lotions (girls that age love them), hats, maybe a pretty beaded bracelet or anything girlie (can be a real issue for little girls when they lose their hair so pretty is always a plus).

 

[Harambe]

I have been thru chemo - I can think of a few things for the child and also for the family.

For mom and dad - gift certificates at any near-by restaurants. Have someone mow their lawn, or do the laundry, make meals for them - anything to help, so they can just be with your neice.

Ship your neice a care package full of foods that can be refridgerated- Dole fruit cups, yogurts, Dole salad mixes, chicken salad, cheese and crackers, etc. Is there a supermarket near them that will deliver? Anything cold and crisp is good while going thru chemo.

Don't send her perfumed bath items as these can be nauseating. Also, like someone else mentioned, it is hard to focus since your mind is all over the place. Something like Teen People or another teen magazine with short blurbs are easier to process.

And cards - get well, thinking of you, cards - lots, and lots, and lots of cards.

Best wishes - I'll be cheering for her!

 

[FloridaCat]

Send the parents some extra cash. Going to and waiting in the hospitals eats up cash.
For the little one, ger her a pink ball cap. It is a badge of honor at St. Judes.

 

[aunties]

Prayers and Pixe Dust for you and your niece. I hope and pray that she is as successful as my niece. Heather was 7 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Next month, she heading off to her freshman year in college.

I made her hats for every outfit. I got plain baseball caps and other styles. I sewed pearls, sequins, charms etc. on some of them. Other hats I decorated with fabric paint.

She also loved to get cards. She didn't care from who. It just made her feel loved and special. Maybe some of your friends there would be willing to send her a card every now and then. Most kids don't get cards that far away!

My niece also loved to read so I sent a lot of books. It helped pass a lot of time, especially during the nights when she couldn't sleep. Cuddly friends also helped her through the pain of all the tests. She passed some of her favorite stuffed animals to other children diagnosed after her.

I know how hard it is to be so far away from someone so special to you when they are going through such an ordeal. I guess I was lucky, we were only a half a country away.

Let us know how she is doing.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Here a few ideas:

For the patient -
magazines, movies, crafts, make-up, hats & scarves, stuffed animals, notepads, pens, pencils, markers, wordsearch books, and games (cards, boardgames, computer games), cds, a walkman, slippers, pjs (everyone loves new pjs, escpecially if she'll be in the hospital), gum, hard candy, suckers, stationary set.

For the parents - gift certificates to pizza places and other restaurants, supportive books and books for fun, pre-paid calling cards (if child is in the hospital this will allow them to keep in touch with out of town relatives), magazines, stamps, notecards.

I recently got something that is a lifesaver during long chemo treatments - a portable DVD player. It was less than $300 and could be something that the entire extended family pitches in for. It's just a tad bit larger than a CD player and I plug it right into my chemo pole. It also has a cigarette lighter attachment and a battery that will last about 3 hours. This has been so wonderful to have while sitting around tied to a chair for hours.

Good luck and I'll keep your niece in my prayers.
Lisa

 

[tiggerlover]

Thank you all so much for your ideas! I love some of your suggestions and can't wait to put little care packages together for her. Thanks also for your words of support and prayers.

 

[PamOKW]

You've gotten some great ideas. I just wanted to add that the most important thing you can give your niece and her family is letting them know you care. It doesn't really matter "what" you send, just that you contact them with something. But, I think you already know that. Calls, e-mails, notes are all as appreciated as the gifts. If it's in the budget, I bet the portable DVD player might be an excellent idea.

Prayers for a quick and easy recovery for your niece.