Ideas for chemo basket?

[jennz]

Hi everyone! DM starts chemo Tuesday for ovarian cancer. I'm looking for ideas of things for her to take with her to help her out during or after at home...any ideas? Should she bring bottled water or snacks or anything?

Thanks!

 

[escape]

jennz, hugs to you and your mom. Also sending prayers and your way.

As for the basket, I'm not sure. How about some of her favorite magazines to read or look at to help pass the time.

 

[lsyorke]

Lip balm, unscented body lotions, small cans of soda, books.

 

[Taylor]

No ideas for you on the basket.

Just wanted to let you know that my mother was diagnosed with the same type of cancer and beat it. Keep the faith.

 

[WDWAurora]

Cute knit caps, scarves...That's what one of my friends is focusing on for her mom right now.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Go to the drugstore, Target or Wal-Mart and get her some Biotene. They have mouthwash, toothpaste, gum and artificial saliva. The chemo sometimes hurts the salivary glands and leaves the patient with a dry mouth. It is like having "cotton" in your mouth all the time. This will alleviate those symptoms.

Hugs to you and prayers for your Mom.

 

[jennz]

Thanks for the good thoughts and support! I'll be picking these things up for her. I wasn't sure if she'd be able to concentrate enough to read, but a magazine is a great idea, easier to flip through if you're tired.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

First of all, I wouldn't call it a "chemo basket." That might put a damper on the gift

I second what others are saying: trial size items, books, a book on tape or two w/ a walkman/CD player.

 

[KathyTX]

There's a fun website called ChemoChicks that has lots of support and humor for going through this. They have put together some gift baskets at http://www.chemochicks.com/shop_gift_basket.htm that include stuff like this:

Standing Mirror
Cozy Cap
Socks
Nail Kit
Salon style emery board
Moisturizing lotion
Wide-tooth comb
Pen and Paper
Tissue Pack
Mints
Romance novel
plus a comfy fleece blanket

Hope this gives you some ideas for little comforts and luxuries that might make this time a tad more tolerable. Lots of good wishes for your mom!

 

[tiggerlover]

I know when my niece was going through her chemo and radiation treatments some of the things she liked to have (when she was feeling up to it), were puzzle books, magazines, books, CD's to listen to, books, jigsaw puzzles and her art supplies.

{{{HUGS}}} to your DM and best wishes that she beats her cancer!

 

[Feralpeg]

Ginger snaps help with nausea. I hope she won't need them for that purpose, but just in case.

 

[lulugirl]

When my father went through chemo he was always cold, how about getting her a really cozy blanket or shawl?
I'm sorry she's ill, I know how difficult that is.

 

[Servants of Evan]

There's a company in this area called Health Journeys. They have a number of products including CDs especially for people undergoing chemo. Reportedly, they have been shown to help with the nausea (miss-spelled, I know) and other side effects. They did a lot of their research at the world famous Cleveland Clinic. I know you can find them on the web -- google health journeys (it's probably something simple like healthjourneys.com) and they also have a 1-800 number.

Edited to add: My DW and I purchased one of the Chemo CDs for my boss as she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She said it really helped....

 

[tiggger1]

I have a Aunt that works with chemo patients and she told me that they swear by lemon ade to cure nausea. I tried it when I had really bad morning sickness and it worked wonders

 

[Shugardrawers]

I know it sounds strange but dill pickles help nauseau too. At least they did for me.

 

[jennz]

Wow you guys thanks so much for all of these great ideas!! It's the little things that'll help her get through this. I'm off to check out health journeys...

 

[grlpwrd]

Ditto on the puzzle books and magazines plus inspirational, uplifting batch of CDs, pics of loved one's, and hobby type items like knitting, painting, crocheting, etc.

 

[2vets]

Things I used (chemo for breast cancer) :

Oral antibacterial wash

I hated my wig (a.k.a. "the hairy hat") and had funky scarves made in 21-
inch squares - wore them pirate-style (bandannas didn't cover the whole head, I didn't like the premade wraps, and I though caps were itchy...picky me...)

Often quite difficult to eat, even with antinausea drugs, from days 2-5. Don't assume anything about what she will be able to tolerate (no offense to anyone with suggestions - but I tried to stock up beforehand on what I thought would work...and nothing!! For me, I could only eat plain oatmeal, gross - the saltines sat in my cupboard!!). OH, and PS - the things I ate right before or after chemo STILL make me want to throw up three years later. Tell her not to eat any of her favorites at that time unless she's willing to find new ones...

For chemo sessions - board games, books, YOUR PRESENCE. My mom came up and visited for each session, played board games with me, and acted like I was just having a long (but normal) dr's appointment. It helped me so much to feel relatively normal, I can't even tell you.

Books were lovely. I found Lance Armstrong's to be very inspiring.

And again - YOU. Your presence. Let her know that you are there to help her and love her, and let her know that YOU see her as normal when everyone else in the world (feels like) is looking at her head.

I wish her and you the best. Cancer/chemo are lifechanging events, but I came out with a Carpe Diem thing that has made my life better - I'll never say that I was lucky to go through it, but my life is better now for what I learned. I am three years out of bc...but my coworker's mom is a 12 year survivor of ovarian cancer.

She can do it. Many, many people are now pulling for her on this board. Hugs to you both.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

A dear friend who went through chemo said the best gifts she received were a super soft blanket, scarf, cap, and fingerless gloves. The yarn used to make them all was very, very soft (I felt it myself - it was so snuggly!) and was either washed in some special detergent or made so that it was allergen-free. She was always cold, and her skin was super sensitive, and these things were the ones that didn't make her itch.

 

[urglewurgle]

just wanted to add my support... i had skin cancer as a child, and a good friend is in the middle of chemo after being diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma for the third time...

(((Hugs))))

everyone's given good ideas! just make sure nothing's heavily scented.. and i wouldn't really bother with any food unless she asks for it... mints or boiled candy might be ok... maybe DVDs if she has a player in her room... have you asked her if she needs aanything? i know it's the little, silly, everyday things that help out, make you feel more normal..

once again... ((((hugs)))))