My favorite Aunt has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be having a masectomy next week followed by radiation. She lives many states away from me so I am not able to be there for her, but I would like to send something - what would you like if you were her? I have never been close to anyone who has gone through this and I am at a loss as to how to support her other than cards and prayer. I was thinking maybe a pamper basket with items such as slippers and tea......Any ideas?
ETA: If I ask, she says "nothing". =) I must be inventive!
Cancer brings its own set of needs...especially radiation.
How about a basket with: Peppermint tea (for nausea), a soft throw blanket, slippers, Aquaphor unscented lotion (for the itchy radiation site), a pretty mug, a nice devotional, and maybe a counted cross stitch or embroidery project (if she does that sort of thing).
You're such a sweet neice. :-)
A friend of mine just had a masectomy last month. She said the best gifts were the gifts of chores. She said simply not having to thing about dinner eased her mind considerably. So I'd probably add some food gift cards to the basket.
My cousin has been battling Leukemia for the past few years. She says that it's helpful to have things to keep you hands and mind busy while waiting for doctors (or for her, the chemo treatments). So she suggests word searches, sudoku puzzles, embroidery kits, small jewelry making kits or even hand held games.
My cousin's other favorite, was a gag gift. She got a snuggi. But she said that has been a fantastic gift that she uses all the time. When she is cold, she says it's the perfect thing to cuddle up in...even better than a blanket.
Ask her what she needs. Groceries? You can shop online and have them delivered in many areas. I sent my friend a handmade hat. Send her a card. Call her and let her talk.
I did a google search for helping hands websites and found lotsahelpinghands.com. Put in your aunts zip code and it will provide a list of area resources. It could be from an individual who will cook and deliver food or someone willing to clean her house. When my friend battled cancer she loved having someone come clean her house.
I am recovering from a double mastectomy & reconstruction and would have loved help to clean the house. Everything hurts, bending over hurts etc etc. laundry is difficult because you can't reach into the machine So my suggestion is any kind of cleaning help and/or gift card from her favorite restaurant would be great.
