need ideas -- what to send to hospital to a child with cancer?

[Grumpy's Gal]

ok - we have a little friend (girl) who is 11 years old and is in the hospital. She has cancer and will be there for awhile.

I need to come up with a list of things we could send to her -- things that she could have in the hospital. (so nothing messy etc)

I am really short on time today so I'm hoping that two minds are better than one, so they say. (Or maybe 20 disboard minds are better than one.)

Can you help me make a list of things we may be able to get to send her. We don't have to mail it -- it can be delivered in person.

Ideas? Anyone have an 11 year old girl and can tell me what's "in" or "fun" or appropriate? (and, as always, on a budget)

Thank you so much!

 

[Donnask8pro]

http://www.pinkribbongift.com/so0002.html


This is a chocolate teddy bear.. heat it and hug it and it smells like chocolate..

 

[Minnie M6]

Maybe some magazines (I don't know what young girls read now and will date myself if I mention the magazines I read as a tween but I know there are mags targeted at that age group) and art supplies- paper and colored pencils, things she can use for journaling. If she has a Nintendo DS, you may find good deals on games for it. Books are always good too. Hope you get lots of ideas!

 

[ryanshana]

Maybe some magazines (I don't know what young girls read now and will date myself if I mention the magazines I read as a tween but I know there are mags targeted at that age group) and art supplies- paper and colored pencils, things she can use for journaling. If she has a Nintendo DS, you may find good deals on games for it. Books are always good too. Hope you get lots of ideas!

I was going to say the, Nintendo DS thing too....Word searches...I know when DS was in the hospital they had like a DVD player/VHS player...maybe her fav movie.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

My DS is a little younger, but he spent a week in the hospital this past summer. Priceless was his DS and art supplies. Sometimes he didn't have the energy for that stuff so we watched TV and got DVDs from the hospital library.

All in all, it is very boring - I wish I was able to get him something new to do for each day he was there. Oh! He did get a gift delivered while we were there and that meant ALOT to him - he felt very special.

Don't forget something for mom or dad too. It's a long day when all you can do is look out the window.

Hugs to your little friend!

 

[fairykin]

i would splurge and get the handheld nintendo ds..with a simple nurturing game like the puppies one..where you get to give it a bath and pet it.. take it for a walk. I think they also have a baby one like that..where you have your own baby.

Prayers left for this child.

They also have digital journals.. diaries..that might be a way for her to express herself.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Don't forget something for mom or dad too. It's a long day when all you can do is look out the window.

ok - I need ideas for her parents as well. ;-)

 

[mskayjay]

If I may be so bold.....would her parents let us "random act of kindness" her??? By that I mean post her name and the name of the hospital and let any of us so inclined send her cards, magazines, books, whatever.....????

I would start with an MP3 player which can be gotten quite cheaply now adays and load it with music she likes. Small radio/cd player for her room.
Lotions in smells that are soft and comforting. Baby powder, Teen Spirit deodorant, lip balms..... Don't go too overboard on scents as you are highly responsive to smells when you don't feel good from treatments.
A fantastically soft fleece blanket....my daughter does the ones where you put two fabrics together, and do cut/ties all along the edges. It can be done in her favorite colors/patterns and would be so nice to have with all the scratchy stuff at the hospitals.
Jammie pants and tops that work with her stents or whatever type of port they will be using to give her her meds. If she needs an open front jammie top, see if you can get someone to replace the buttons with velcro. Much nicer.
Slippers or slipper socks with the little rubber things on the bottom.
Soft scrunchies for her hair if she has long hair. Not to be gross but she will probably get sick from her treatment and it will be nice to pull her hair back. Tuck a new brush in there too!
A cute water bottle that is uniquely hers with a straw so she can tip it and not have it spill on her while laying in bed.
A journal book so she can write down her thoughts and feelings through this. Tell her it is hers and hers alone so she can write anything she wants and NO ONE will read it. she needs to have a place to vent. My daughter's counselor had her do this and it was wonderful.
A bag that will hang on the side of her bed to keep journal, MP3, etc/whatever handy.

Is this helping? I would also seriously contact any of the fan clubs of stars that she likes and ask them to send her a letter or picture. I know a lot of girls that age are huge into the Jonas Brothers for example. Can you imagine what it would do for her on a bad day to get a picture from them!

I'll keep thinking..... Huge hugs of support and encouragement to Mom and Dad too. It really will be harder on them then on her.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

If I may be so bold.....would her parents let us "random act of kindness" her??? By that I mean post her name and the name of the hospital and let any of us so inclined send her cards, magazines, books, whatever.....????

I would start with an MP3 player which can be gotten quite cheaply now adays and load it with music she likes. Small radio/cd player for her room.
Lotions in smells that are soft and comforting. Baby powder, Teen Spirit deodorant, lip balms..... Don't go too overboard on scents as you are highly responsive to smells when you don't feel good from treatments.
A fantastically soft fleece blanket....my daughter does the ones where you put two fabrics together, and do cut/ties all along the edges. It can be done in her favorite colors/patterns and would be so nice to have with all the scratchy stuff at the hospitals.
Jammie pants and tops that work with her stents or whatever type of port they will be using to give her her meds. If she needs an open front jammie top, see if you can get someone to replace the buttons with velcro. Much nicer.
Slippers or slipper socks with the little rubber things on the bottom.
Soft scrunchies for her hair if she has long hair. Not to be gross but she will probably get sick from her treatment and it will be nice to pull her hair back. Tuck a new brush in there too!
A cute water bottle that is uniquely hers with a straw so she can tip it and not have it spill on her while laying in bed.
A journal book so she can write down her thoughts and feelings through this. Tell her it is hers and hers alone so she can write anything she wants and NO ONE will read it. she needs to have a place to vent. My daughter's counselor had her do this and it was wonderful.
A bag that will hang on the side of her bed to keep journal, MP3, etc/whatever handy.

Is this helping? I would also seriously contact any of the fan clubs of stars that she likes and ask them to send her a letter or picture. I know a lot of girls that age are huge into the Jonas Brothers for example. Can you imagine what it would do for her on a bad day to get a picture from them!

I'll keep thinking..... Huge hugs of support and encouragement to Mom and Dad too. It really will be harder on them then on her.

Oh, you are good! I should've looked to you this summer! Great ideas!!!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

ok - I need ideas for her parents as well. ;-)

LOL - nothing pricey - a book, magazines, something to snack on that does not come from a vending machine (this is a biggie)!!

 

[mskayjay]

RichnKatHolly my oldest child is technically disabled and we have spent far too much time at hospitals with him when he was younger (he's 25 now). You learn what works! )

Did you have a bad time this summer?

 

[java]

My 11 year old loves sketching- and in particular the "project runway" items they sell- I got it at limited too but I've seen them at Toysrus.
Basically a sketch pad with figures predrawn and you can design costumes or ball gowns or bathing suits depending on which you get.

My dd LOVES hand sanitizers from Bath and Body Works._ all her little friends use them too- a quick way to have clean hands and they smell nice.

Some soft socks.(based on my friends daughter's stay in the hospital) her feet were always cold.

Real art supplies- colored pencils and a sketch pad

Itunes gift card? If she has an ipod.
Will she have computer access.- most children's hospitals have this- then maybe a sims game?

Good luck and really just being there for mom and dad will be a huge help. Offer to be a driver for other children they may have so their lives are not turned completely upside down. I was a taxi for several weeks and I loved letting the siblings continue to be kids.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

RichnKatHolly my oldest child is technically disabled and we have spent far too much time at hospitals with him when he was younger (he's 25 now). You learn what works! )

Did you have a bad time this summer?

Oh, so sorry to hear that but now I know why you have such fabulous ideas.

My son just needed a second operation to correct a congenital skull defect and was back to his old self within a month, so nothing like what you have gone through, but he really had a hard time doing the week in the hospital. The first operation he had he was 9 months old and it wasn't too bad because he just slept.

I hope your son is doing much better now - ie. not spending so much time in the hospital. It's the pits.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

For a magazine suggestion my tweens like J-14.
I'm not sure I'd send hair scrunchies, it may upset her if her hair falls out.
If she's going to be inpatient for awhile posters for her room.
A cute rolling backpack or small suitcase and hanging toiletry kit.
A couple of craft kits from Micheals.
A joke book and maybe some other books if you know what she likes to read.
A board game

For her parents:

GCs to fast food places (hospital cafeteria food can get old)
Lotion and antibacterial hand gel
chapstick
crossword puzzle books, magazines
roll of quarters for vending machines
package of pens and a notebook
if you're one to order alot of free samples I'd include some of the trial sizes of toiletries, that way they can keep a small bag packed even when they're at home ready to go.
a deck of cards
A throw blanket that would travel well

 

[xanman]

Get her some beads and findings to make earrings and bracelets, either seperately or kits. They won't take up much room, and she can give the finished projects to the friends she will make while there. It will keep her occupied and help the time to go faster.

 

[Nie0214]

Probably not food for the child, the parents will need snacks I'm sure. My 23 year old friend just went through Chemo and some smells and foods really made him nauseous, I imagine it may be the same for a child.

Sudoko books, word-searches, maybe a portable DVD player, MP3 player.

 

[bradyloganmom]

For a magazine suggestion my tweens like J-14.
I'm not sure I'd send hair scrunchies, it may upset her if her hair falls out.
If she's going to be inpatient for awhile posters for her room.
A cute rolling backpack or small suitcase and hanging toiletry kit.
A couple of craft kits from Micheals.
A joke book and maybe some other books if you know what she likes to read.
A board game

For her parents:

GCs to fast food places (hospital cafeteria food can get old)
Lotion and antibacterial hand gel
chapstick
crossword puzzle books, magazines
roll of quarters for vending machines
package of pens and a notebook
if you're one to order alot of free samples I'd include some of the trial sizes of toiletries, that way they can keep a small bag packed even when they're at home ready to go.
a deck of cards
A throw blanket that would travel well

As a veteran of several LONG hospital stays when DS (now 13) was younger these are all great ideas-----especially the quarters and notebook with pens for parents. Some other ideas for parents include:
---phone cards (in case hospital doesn't have access to a free phone)
---disposable camera---yes their child is ill in hospital but there may be some moments they wish they could record
---CDs of tranquil, relaxing music
---snacks, gum, etc. both pre-packaged and fresh fruit

 

[prncess674]

Target always has lots of small non electronic travel games: connect four, etc.

Also trivia card games such as Scattergories. You don't have to play with the board just use it as a tool to pass time.

Learning card tools like Brain Quest are fun.

 

[mskayjay]

Oh, so sorry to hear that but now I know why you have such fabulous ideas.

My son just needed a second operation to correct a congenital skull defect and was back to his old self within a month, so nothing like what you have gone through, but he really had a hard time doing the week in the hospital. The first operation he had he was 9 months old and it wasn't too bad because he just slept.

I hope your son is doing much better now - ie. not spending so much time in the hospital. It's the pits.

Matt was 2 1/2 when they finally diagnosed him. They said I was a nervous mother and it was my fault that he was sick all the time????? Right..... He had an obstruction and by the time they found it....his left kidney has 46% function and the right one has 3% function (not 30%....3%.....). You'd never know it to look at him. Does really well and someday may need a transplant but so far, he's been very very blessed.

Glad to hear your wee one is okay. How scary! On his skull? Wow what they can do nowadays is just remarkable isn't it?

 

[Jen_in_NH]

We just spent a week in the hospital with my son. There were quite a few tween - teen age kids there. Most everyone had an Ipod or some kind of MP3, so maybe a card for some new music? Some newer movies would always work - the peds unit had lots of little kid movies, Disney stuff, but very little older kid movies. If you know what she reads, some new books are always cool. A fleece blanket is always good, as are some new jammies.

For mom and dad - some snacks that don't come pre-packaged, either some cards or crossword puzzle type books. If they and their child are OK with it, someone to stay with their child while they run out to eat some real food somewhere. Our cousin came to spend some time with Christopher one evening so we could go out and eat something that wasn't from the hospital cafeteria. He was asleep while they were there, and was pretty stable then, so it was great to get out for an hour or two and see that the world keeps going even though yours may have stopped.