post-treatment party to thank friends/family - ideas??

diago2ca1

I'm just getting ready for my second of four chemo (TC) treatments next week (to be followed by radiation and Tamoxifen)...and have been thinking about what I can do to thank all my friends and family for helping me out through all of this.  I've got an idea to have a "I'm Back" themed party (referring to my hair!) once treatments are done and my hair has started coming in.

I guess what I'm looking for is some ideas for the party...invites, food, drink and perhaps a small token of my appreciation to give to everyone.  This is also a way to keep my mind occupied while going through the rest of my treatments...something to work towards.

Any ideas??

DianaT

We had a good ole Texas style BBQ.  Unfortunately, I thought my adrenaline would get me thru my last treatment and I scheduled it too close to my last treatment which left me being unable to walk.  I had some friends come, my family, my nurse showed up with her grandbaby, another lady that finished chemo before me.  Other than the physical pain I was in, we had a wonderful time.  At one point my husband tried to thank everyone for coming and supporting us, and I started to cry, he started to cry and then my amazing nurse said a few words that left everyone else in tears.  I really would have like to have video taped it, but didn't want a camera around me.  My kids made home made banners and hung them all over the house.

Renrel

I just picked up a kids book on chemo and cancer where the kids talked about what their family did.  When mom's hair started falling out they had a hair cut party.  The whole family had their hair cut with all their friends and family watching.  When Chemo was over they had a hair back party and everyone was required to wear a hat or wig, except the BC warrior who was celebrating not needing to wear one. 

muttnut

We had an "All Done!" party after I finished chemo and radiation.  It was in early Oct., and the weather was nice, so we started on the porch with cocktails and hors d'oevres, then ate inside.  We just grilled some pork tenderloin.  I had a half sheet cake made at Sams that was chocolate with white frosting, with a few pink flowers, the breast cancer ribbon, and the words "All Done!" on it.  We all had a good time, and it was pretty low key.  A lot of people brought gifts, which I hadn't anticipated.  One couple donated to the Breast Center at the local hospital.  I thought that was a great idea. 

Leah_S

How about a Thanksgiving dinner? That's what this is all about.

Leah

rferraris

We had a party once chemo & radiation were done.  We had it the weekend after my first follow-up appointment following treatment.  I'll share the poem we made for the invitations...

Chemo is over,

Radiation is done,

Now it is time we have some fun!

92 of our closest family, friends and care-givers came.  It was a blast!  My best friends all chipped in and bought me a new flat iron for my new hair!  I couldn't use it yet but used it on my son's bangs!!!

playwriter

we had a pool party with little snacks and stuff.

chiquita

 I am crying...you all have so much love around, I only have my husband to thank...he is the only one who took the time to help me...my daughter lives next door to us and she goes 2 months without coming over or calling, my son lives at home but only do his laundry or food.

I feel like my daughter do not care, she is pregnant with her second baby, and I was doing all the babysitting until November when I got sick...since November I only so her 3 times, and one was we took her out for dinner on her birth day ( I regret doing that because her did not want to go on to the restaurant we had pick and diceded she was going to another one and also requested the restaurant for a privet room with decorations...that cost us a lot...and I am not working and my husband is on a pension...)

I think I just going to go to take a bubble bath and cry...

tabby

Guess this really isn't a "treatment's over" thing, but I'm having a PINK party.  It's occuring as soon as I wake up from having the girls removed on May 7.  I've asked this of my family so that we can all celebrate as the masectomies are my way of killing cancer and celebrating life.  I know that the masectomies may or may not end the cancer and there may have to be other treatments, but I'd rather have something positive to think about rather than what I've lost.  Besides, already throughout this short experience I have met people I would have never met and spiritually "seen" things with "new eyes".  Oh, this pink party is just that everyone wear something pink and we will have pink balloons, maybe even pink cupcakes, who knows?  Just something that's helping me get through--hope it helps give everyone some ideas.  Congratulations on reaching an end!!

EWB

what a lovely idea!

Jane_M

I was diagnosed a week before my birthday last year.  During chemo, I decided that come this August, I was having a 45th birthday/no more cancer this year party.  My daughter is supposedly arranging it.  I still have trouble giving up control, but I guess I shouldn't have to plan my own birthday party.