Ideas for chemo basket?

[jennz]

I did ask her if there was anything she wanted to bring but she doesn't know. This is her first time and it's so hard to think about what you'll want/need.

I had thought about getting her some scented candles but I've read a few posts mentioning unscented lotions etc so I'm going to skip that for now.

Does anyone know if they give you blankets while you're in for the treatment?

The fingerless gloves sound like a great idea - I'll check into those! I'm in Indy right now getting ready to go back to Orlando to be with her tomorrow - I think I'll look for some up here.

 

[llij]

to you and your dear mother. That is very sweet of you to want to put together a special basket for her. I had two very dear friends who went through chemo and they said that sucking on hard candies helped b/c the chemo left a bad taste in their mouth. It sounds like you have already received many wonderful ideas which is great. You and your mother will be in my prayers.

 

[MerryPoppins]

My friend told me that old fashioned lemon drops really helped her get through chemo. Not Lemonheads, but the old fashioned hard candy. She said they were the only thing that helped her with nausea and tasted right.

A relaxation CD might be a thought. I know they make some wonderful ones with visualization where you imagine yourself on a warm beach in the sunshine. I would imagine it'd be nice at times to put yourself somewhere else when you're going through all that.

I never had chemo, so that's all the new suggestions I have. Best wishes to your mom. Sounds like you'll be a lot of strength for her and that's important. Stay positive and up. That's what helped me the most in my journey. I wanted people to stop looking at me like I was dying when I knew I wasn't.

 

[2vets]

Does anyone know if they give you blankets while you're in for the treatment?

I think my center did. It would have been awesome to have my own "bankie", though - now THERE'S a nice idea.

Jennz, your mom is lucky to have you. She's be very touched if she knew you were trying so hard to find a special gift to give her!!

 

[KellyLynn]

Ice Pops helped me and my mom with chemo.
i found eating them while getting the treatment done help with the sick feeling.


I got lots of hats , and I knitted myself some also .


Thinking the best for you and your mom.

 

[Mickey527]

When I had my chemo I sat in a big room with 8 recliners. We all sat in the recliner so we could doze off during chemo. We wern't allowed to have anyone with us because there was no room for visitors. I really would have liked to have someone sit with me but they said no.
Depending on the type of chemo she is getting it might take up to 8 hours. My first 4 chemos were about 5 hours but the last 4 took almost 8 hours. They also give you alot of benedryl to avoid allergic reaction so she might sleep through most of the chemo. I would fall asleep after the first hour and wake up during the last hour.
She will probably be able to eat during chemo because you really don't feel sick until later that evening or the next day. I would get my chemo on Thursday and didn't eat from Thursday night until Monday. But on Monday I could eat a horse.
My son found ginger altoids which helped alot with the naseau but I could only use them when my mouth was not sore. Chemo sometimes causes mouth i nfections because it kills all the good bacteria and you grow yeasts in your mouth. VERY PAINFUL.
My place did have blankets and pillows but I didn't use them because they looked like they had never been washed. The pillows had disposable covers but I prefered to bring my own. Don't get me wrong, the place was very clean and the nurses were very nice, but the blankets were like the ones on airlines, linty and ugly.
I brought with me:
Needlepoint and small crafts
Blanket and pillow
crystal light and water bottles. I needed some flavor because the chemo gave me a terrible taste in my mouth.
Books and magazines
Light lunch like a sandwich for those long chemo days. It was winter when I had chemo so I brought a thermos of soup and a sandwich.
Hope this helps a little. Keep your strength up, you will be a great support from the way it sounds. We will all pray for both of you. Peggie

 

[Muffy]

I don't have any great ideas but I do want to pass on this great forum with ov/ca caregivers and patients. http://ovca.net/forum/forum.cfm I lost a dear friend (Cynthia) to ov/ca. She is honored on Cynthia's Porch on ovca.net. This board offers the best advice for ovarian cancer. Best of luck to your DM.

Muffy

 

[Maryr1]

About 15 years ago my dear friend and my sister were diagnosed with cancer within a month of each other. I took them both for treatments and am so happy that I had that time with them!!!! My friend went on Tuesdays and my sister had her treatments on Fridays. It was an all day committment and I had chemo bags for each of them. They each had a blanket (fleece) a small pillow (from EMS) with a fleece cover, hard candy, travel games (scrabble),cards,2 magazines,crossword puzzle book, and the newspapers. I also put a special funny treat in the bag each week-a cute stuffed animal,a hat,fuzzy socks. I also had snack foods-crackers,what ever I could think of that might tempt them. Also, soft tissues(a must!). If you can afford it the 2 things I would splurge on-an ipod and a portable DVD player. That way you can down load a book and music or rent a movie to pass the time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both!

 

[honeybee213]

I worked at Roswell Park Cancer Institute for a month on the pediatrics floor. Some of the teenagers there had a rough time with nausea, and they had these bracelets with balls that hit pressure points. I think the mom said they got them at a sporting goods store (for fishermen). I also think soft music and a focal point of some sort would be nice. A calming photo that has running water or something. Also, knit caps and fleece blankets were other favorites. I wish you and your mother the best through this hard time.

 

[jennz]

I didn't know you can download books...I'll check into that. I think I'll have DD make a fleece blanket for her, that would be nice...

Thanks again everyone - you're all great for giving me the ideas and hope.

 

[MoniqueU]

I also was just thinking a video Ipod would be great. Load it with favorite songs and movies. I use mine often at shorter dr appts.
Also some of those nice fuzzy socks. I also would think a blanket would be good, perhaps chennile? And a chenille pillow would be great as well. Anything soft and comforting.