What is the appropriate card or gift for someone starting Chemo?
Question:
Answers:
For a card, I'd recommend the "Thinking of You" type.
As to a gift, I'd recommend something cheery that will make them think of you when they look at it...like a pretty suncatcher for their window.
Of course, plants are always nice, but go for a living plant that will last a long time versus flowers. You can ask a nursery to add cut flowers to a green plant for the best of both worlds.
If it's a woman and you are CERTAIN she is going to lose her hair from the chemo, another option would be to get her some pretty bonnets or scarves...but again only if you have been told that she is certain to lose her hair and she already knows this to be true.
Other Answers:
Hallmark does make encouragement cards and so does American Greetings.....God Bless.
something they love! my grandma was on chemo and died and we got her things she loved and she did feel better. i think if you visit him and make him feel better he will go better through chemo. without us visiting and getting her wonderful things i think she would have died sooner since chemo is very hard on a person.
Whatever you write will be more meaningful than any pre-printed, Hallmark sentiment.
A thinking of you card would be nice.... just a friendly little note telling them you are thinking of them would probably make their day =)
Best of Luck
CANT WAIT TIL YOU ARE YOUR SUNSHINNY SELF.....WITH YOU IN THOUGHT......
I don't work with patients, but I'd think a "thinking of you" card taped to a candy bar would be thoughtful. If you don't want to place pity, get one of the humorous cards or the cute kind with puppies or kittens.
Thinking of you with a sweet blue nosed bear or forever friends on the front and write your own words of encouragement or trying looking through some of the blue mountain cards as they contain nice verses but i feel a thinking of you card is most appropriate.Clinton cards is where i buy all mine.
http://www.chemocare.com/whatis/
First, don't treat them like they are ill and fragile. Let them know that you are thinking and praying for them. Tell them that you are available, if needed. Just being there is beyond words. When my mother was fighting cancer the most important thing to her was not being a burden on the family. Friends will feel the same way. And, if you are not sure what to say or do, talk to them. They will most likely appreciate your honesty. Try your hardest to make them feel "normal".
People need love and reassurance more than ever at this time-a card is nice, but visiting (only after you have cleared it witrh caregiver that is is a "good day") is better
People need to know they are not abandoned-cards are good, but face to face "I care" short visits are better
You just said it... words of encouragement is what they need. Anything that will keep their spirits up. You didn't say if they were male or female, but a small plant would be nice or offer to do something around the house that you know might be difficult for them now. My best friend is battling breast cancer right now. Humor truly is the best medicine. We blame everything on her chemo......if her shoes don't match her outfit it's the chemo's fault. (Never mind that it was a problem before chemo)
Just remind the individual that their life is not over that attitude plays a huge role in recovery.
Because my friend is on a new form of chemo she has not lost her hair, none of it, and I keep telling her we need to shave her head anyway and she needs a Dolly Parton wig.
hi donna k,
i faced a similar predicament when a buddy was diagnose with cancer & had to undergo radiology. i was at a loss then too... i didnt know what to do, what to say...
in the end , i didnt do much & be myself, i just volunteer to drive him to hospital whenever he had a session. later he told me how much he appreciate it, so i guess, u just need to be urself :o)
My buddy had since recovered & i sincerly hope that ur neighbour will too :o)
Cheers :o)
A few years ago, my friend's daughter had cancer and went through chemotherapy to follow up her operation. (My friend and her family live 1,400 miles from me.)
When her daughter cut off her thinning hair, I buzzed my head and sent a picture of it to my friend.
You could give a get well card, you could shave your head, you could drop over with a favorite dish and share it with your neighbor, and talk about fun things over dinner. You could just drop over and ask how your neighbor is holding up.
You already know some of these things about being a good neighbor. Just pick something and go for it.
No matter what you choose, your neighbor will likely at least think that it's nice that you were thoughtful.
Good luck.
i think a funny get well card. i use to work on the cancer floor at the hospital and i would have to read their cards sometimes to them. they would always fill better after a funny card. it but a smile on their face. as far as gifts small stuffed animals they can take with them to the treatment and hold afterwards is common after chemo i have noticed they get much relief from holding and caring for small stuffed animals it helps them take their mind off things. and no matter how old they are i have seen them with small stuffed animals.
Beware of live plants and flowers. Some chemotherapy drugs cause the person's immune system to weaken so they cannot have live plants or fresh fruits because of the danger of infection. Strange I know. Cheery/funny cards, stuffed animals, puzzle books - like Sudoku or crosswords - in large print, might be appropriate. If this is a person with family out of state and they are in the hospital/clinic for treatment a long distance phone card might be greatly appreciated.
when my daughter started chemo she got alot of cards from friends etc with thinking abt u on them people didnt know what to say to her and she didnt want pity from people she was so brave and fought with every bit of energy she could hope ur friend gets well soon and beats the dreaded disease good luck
Let her know you are thinking about her, maybe visit, that would be better. Or cook something to take to her. On Chemo cooking is really difficult, the smell alone can make you sick. Ask if she needs any help. Stay humorous, nothing beats a good laugh.
I am going though Chemo right now and people at work do their best to keep me laughing. One also bought pink ribbon pins and a lot of them are wearing them for support. I think that is great.
If you neighbor has a sense of humor, it will help cheer her/him to send them something that will make them laugh. My sister sent the most hilarous card. "Since you have been such a good patient, I asked the doctor to throw in a couple of implants". Inside the card were two balloons! She also sent me a t-shirt "With a Body Like This, Who Needs Hair" I wore it to work when my hair came out from chemo.
Other suggestions would be to offer to pick up grocerys for your neighbor or do a couple of loads of laundry or mop a floor for them. Anything that would make their days a little easier. It will get a little more difficult as chemo progresses so if you are able to help with anything, don't wait to be asked.
Just send a card or note of encouragement. Just a little "cheer up" card or thinking of you.
I got a few cards about illness, but they weren't too bad. My faves with just the little ones that said encouraging words.
Something to think about is getting a soft and fuzzy blanket. Every time I did chemo I got really really cold.
Something with some humor and that you are "there" if they need it.
Jewells
30 months and still here
I got my daughter a Healing Angel beany bear, she hugged it tight every night and when she felt ill believing it would make her better (which it did). When her friend she met in hospital got very ill after bone marrow transplant, my daughter wanted to get her something similar and we got a guardian Angel beany bear for her. My daughters friend has passed away but we know that her guardian angel is taking great care of her.
My daughter while having her treatment got so many books and dvd's, she got long stitch, bead and ring making kits. Your neighbor probably isn't 7 but i think anything to try and take her mind off things or something sentimental like a guardian angel. Good luck to your neighbor and yourself.
anything they like will do but words of encouragement are the best cos they need our support try to spend more time with them chat with them so that they will cheer up and wont be sad/lonely staying happy will make them recover sooner
I am living with cancer and when I was first diagnosed and really sick, a friend gave me one of those warm, realllllly soft, fuzzy blankets and of all things a teddy bear. She wrote just a little note about getting back on my feet and I'll tell you I loved all of it. I use the blanket all of the time and Mr. Bear is next to the bed. It brings a smile to my face and I think of her every time I use the blanket.
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