Need care package ideas for ill teenager

[arminnie]

Maybe some books on tape or cd? He might not feel well enough to read them, but maybe he can listen to them instead?

I have a male relative that is going thru chemo. I got a very inexpensive MP3 player and downloaded books from audible.com. Not all mp3 players support the audible format so you have to check first.

You can also download from some public libraries for free.

 

[pjlla]

Just one idea .... I got my son a book for Christmas called "The Encyclopedia of Immaturity" (by Kutz). I bought it at AC Moore with a 40 or 50% or coupon .....original price $19.99. It has been a lot of fun to look through... silly tricks and things like that. Sorry I don't have any other great ideas. Best wishes and prayers to him and his whole family....................P

 

[maroo]

The only thing I haven't seen mentioned that I would liked when I was getting chemo is the flavored water packets, preferably the ones with protein (special K, south beach, etc) Plain water was hard to tolerate.

what a great idea!! I agree...

Netflix subscription would be awesome...most Children's hospitals don't have great movies for teens...and he could get what he wants. He can use the hospital as his address or use someone close by and get the movies he wants delivered.

and the flavored water deal is a great idea!

It is also a great idea to send stuff for the parents and friends that are taking care of them. What restaurants are in the hospital? Our has a McD's and we got GC to McD's and that was helpful, so they could eat something besides hospital food. Another one of our hospitals has a Subway...so you could do a GC for whatever restaurant is in the hospital.

Gum and Mints are great, too.

You are so sweet to do this for him.

Also...make sure he signs up to get a Wish from Make-A-Wish. You can actually sign him up. Any child that goes through treatment for 6 months qualifies...they don't have to be terminal anymore because pediatric cancer is much easier to treat these days and most kids will not be terminal! Make-A-Wish is for anyone under 18 that has a life threatening illness. He could go to Disney OR do anything he wants. He deserves it after going through treatment and he could look forward to it during the hard days. Once you are qualified, you can take the trip or get the wish whenever you want it (later)...it doesn't have to be when you are the sickest. He can think outside the box, too...like what famous person would he like to meet? etc.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Most of the things I would suggest many have already done so. I just really wanted to pass on my prayers and thoughts to you guys.

.....and to also say that Caringbridge is an awesome way to communicate. If his parents haven't already started a site up for him, maybe you can do it. If he has access to the computer while, he can do his own posting too. I am sure many of his friends are going to want to know how he is doing.

Please pass my thoughts on to him.. tell him to be strong.. he has a bumpy road ahead of him, but a road that he can conquer

 

[Chris]

My soon to be 14 year old told me the following:
Sports magazines, baseball cards, dvd (if he has a portable player), baseball hats, handheld video game. Snacks of carmel corn, gum, mints, pretzels.

Very thoughtful of you to do this. I hope your cousin responds well to the chemo.

 

[Dominus]

Man, tough break. Hate to see it. If they have an i-pod, I'd vote for an i-tunes gift card. You can listen to music anywhere, in any health and it might lift ya up a bit. And even a $5 card can get you several songs you've been wanting to hear. Or maybe a ds game if they have a ds. a good time passer. Something else to keep your mind occupied and off troubles. I saw a study that said kids have a higher tolerance for pain while playing video games. vg's have plenty of ills, but I think they can be helpful as well. Good Luck

 

[Dancemom03]

So sorry to hear of your nephew's diagnosis. Sending prayers your way that things go well for the entire family.

The teen in my house suggests World of Warcraft online on his laptop. Most hospitals have wireless internet throughout. The software is relatively inexpensive and then it's just $14.99 a month to play.
It's a great way to keep him busy and his mind occupied. He can make up his own character and be anyone he wants to be in a whole new world without the restrictions of a hospital room. There's a whole community out there to interact with too so, even anonymously, he'd never feel alone...

And after hours spent online achieving goals, it's amazing how much an online account can be worth as well if eventually sold when they grow out of it too.

 

[imabrat]

I think I would know better than anyone, last year I was in the hospital sick with cancer.

If he doesn't have a laptop, I STRONGLY suggest pitching it as a group gift for one. My laptop was my lifeline during my hospital stays. Some floors have laptops for patients to use, but I liked the privacy of having my own. I got my own for Christmas in the hospital last year after stealing my moms all the time, LOL.

Blankets and pillows. Fleece blankets are really good for nephew and mom, because those daybeds next to the window are hard and they have a draft. An airbed came really handy for my mom too, and for me to move on when I got to stiff in my hospital bed.

Comfy PJs. I refused to wear the hospital gowns unless I had to go for surgery, I always wore my PJs. I don't think I wore anything bedsides hoodies, sweats, and PJs in the 10 months I was sick.

Itunes if he has an Ipod. Just be careful and don't do like I did, I wiped out all my songs trying to add more in the hospital.

GCs for local resteraunts. Hospital food SUCKS! It's gross, and I lived on fast food in the hospital. It was bad, but I kept losing weight instead of gaining it anyway so my parents were happy to get me to eat.

I don't recommend any foods or smelly things. I know my taste buds changed a lot. Like, Coca Cola tastes like Grape Soda, but Mac and Cheese still tastes great. My tastes changed on a whim a lot, like one day I would chow down Ice Cream all day, the next I couldn't stand it.