Fuzzy socks. A rice cooker. All-natural lavender-scented body lotion. What do these things have in common? These are all gifts that people gave me during my chemotherapy treatment. In addition to these things I also received books about cancer-related topics, a tea sampler & mug, inspirational jewelry, handmade quilts and a T-shirt signed by the entire nursing and support staff of the hospital floor where I worked.
These chemo gifts were important to me. Each time someone sent me a gift I felt a connectedness to the giver and to the “outside world,” which was a welcome escape from the cancer world that I was living in. Chemotherapy lasts for a long time and after the flurry of activity associated with your initial diagnosis is over, the months can drag on and sometimes friends and even family members drift away. Sometimes, you can feel forgotten. People are busy with their own lives so when I received a gift, I appreciated the time that that person took to remember me, to think of what I might need and to choose, assemble or make the gift.
You might be thinking, what is the best gift for someone who is having chemo? Obviously, peoples’ taste varies, but there are many things that can bring comfort to someone undergoing chemotherapy.
Here are a few ideas:
Fuzzy socks (yes, really!)
Soft blanket or wrap, pillow
Hat, cap, beanie or head scarf (for someone with hair loss)
Body lotion and lip balm, preferably unscented or natural scent and paraben-free
Tea sampler
Ginger candies or other hard candies (for nausea control)
Cooked meals (homemade or take out)
Snacks and goodies, such as a cake or cookies (holiday treats anyone?)
Audio book subscription (sometimes reading is too taxing on the eyes and mind)
Music download subscription or gift card
Massage gift card
Movie ticket gift card (entertainment is a great gift and can be enjoyed with others!)
Restaurant gift card
It’s important to note that a pedicure or manicure is not a good idea for someone having chemotherapy due to the risk of infection. The same infection precaution is true for food. All meals and baked goods should be completely cooked to avoid risk of infection. To be safe, it’s best not to include any raw foods in what you bring to a person on chemotherapy.
In addition to the general comfort and pampering gifts listed about, a gift tailored to the needs and wants of your loved one will always be welcome. While a rice cooker probably doesn’t top the list of what most people want during chemo, it was an awesome gift for me because I was on a mission eat more whole grains. I wanted to learn how to cook tasty brown rice and the rice cooker was just the right gadget to help me do this! If your loved one going through chemotherapy has a passion, a specific need or a “bucket list” dream, this is your opportunity to give the perfect chemo gift.
What chemo gift is just right for your loved one?