Co-worker recently diagnosed

sharkluver22

A fairly new friend at work was just recently diagnosed and is going through Chemo right now. I want to put together a "feel better" gift basket but I don't know what all I should include. I don't know her very well, but I've watched my grandfather go through chemo and i know it's not pleasant. What kinds of little things should I include? I've heard peppermint helps settle the stomach and green and white teas are supposed to be good in preventing breast cancer. What else would be helpful? She's been sick to her stomach and very tired. Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks
Rica

Valerie_R

One of the sweetest gifts I received from a co-worker was some beautiful silk scarves. I worked thru the first 2 months of dose dense chemo, whereupon I was so sick I had to go out on medical leave. I had bought a wig, but it was too uncomfortable.

My coworker, Laurie, brought me several of her favorite silk scarves and made suggestions as to which outfits they would go with. I was so touched by her kindness and I cherish these scarves.

Another coworker, Paula, would briefly stop by every morning just to say hello and ask how I was doing. She would re-tie my scarf for me because I swear she has a knack for it that I do not. These acts of kindness are also something I will never forget.

Another lovely gift was friends got together, a combination of the girls from my childhood, coworkers and recent friends, and got me a gift certificate for vegetarian meal delivery. I could pick and choose the meals I wanted, and they were delivered to my door. What a difference that made on my off weeks when I could eat!

Another dear friend, Ruth Anne, constantly sent me wonderful cards throughout treatment. Sometimes I would be so depressed and it would be raining and cold, and I'd feel so alone being at home, and I'd get a great card from Ruth Anne. She also just sent me a beautiful plant to mark the end of treatment: 2 lumpectomies, 4 months chemo, mastectomy and DIEP, and radiation.

There have been so many other acts of kindness - keeping in touch, sending funny emails, making that phone call - that I cannot name them all. Friends have sent books and flowers as well. Another friend sent a goodie bag of beauty treatments that I could use.

Rica, I hope this gives you some idea of what to do for your coworker. What a thoughtful woman you are - it is people like you who reach out that really make a difference when someone is going through treatment.

Bless you!

Valerie

Oh, and how could I forget! My sister sent me some very soft, lovely tee shirts and two oversized sweaters in beautiful colors to wear thru surgery and radiation. She also sent me a gift box containing a beautiful scarf, her favorite protein bars, all kinds of great lip gloss/conditioner (your lips get really dry during treatment), assorted teas and candles. The greatest gift was our father died during chemo, and my sister Leslie spent a week with me! And my godmother, June, who has sent me care packages of soft tshirts and sweat pants, has grocery shopped for me and has called and kept in touch throughout. She let me vent, but never let me stop fighting.

sharkluver22

Thank you very much! That does give me some great ideas! I've had everyone I know praying for her, but I wanted to give her something to help ease the pain somehow. I don't want to ask her too much about her treatment while shes at work, so I didn't have any idea as to what to get her! Thank you again Valerie and God Bless!!

Rica

Valerie_R

Rica,

As you can see, it is wonderful women all doing acts of kindness that helped to get me through. You cannot ease the pain, but don't underestimate the power of knowing that people care about you as you go thru treatment. Just Paula fluffing the beautiful scarf that Laurie gave me every morning could make my day!

As treatment progresses, everyone can't be in touch all of the time, and this is a long haul. To get those cards or calls later in treatment, after the initial crisis and flurry is over, is wonderful as well. I'm assuming that your coworker will go out on leave at some point, and that is when she might really feel isolated - that is also a really important time to keep in touch.

I will keep both of you in my thoughts!

Valerie R

NarberthMom

Two of my friends got me a gift certificate to NetFlix!

If you want to buy somethings for a basket, I would recommend: biotene toothpaste and mouthwash (great for preventing mouth sores), fancy italian sodas (they are less sweet than US soda and make a nice change from water), lemon drops and caramel drops (good for getting rid of metallic taste), nice dark chocolates (again, a good way to get rid of unpleasant tastes), fresh bread (makes for nicer toast), decaffeinated teas.

ramonajane

Hi Rica:

Does your coworker have a primary caregiver? A partner, spouse or other person?

You've gotten good ideas from these gals for helping her. I'll share that one of the most touching things skipper's (my partner's) coworkers did was made two care packages - one for each of us.

Mine had some nice bath things, a magazine, some treats, and a beautiful card reminding me to take care of myself while I was caring for her. I tear up just remembering it. It really helped me not feel so alone in the journey.

Caregiving can be a scary, isolating, and confusing experience. I felt so honored when people remembered that I was on the journey, too, just in a different way.

What a wonderful, thoughtful person you are to do this for your new friend. I wish you were my coworker!