Hospital discharge gift bags?

TessaMe

Hi all.

I really liked that travel kit with the lotion, toothpaste, soap and kleenex they give you during your hospital stay. So that gave me a thought because as soon as i got my feet back under me i had an overwhelming desire to hit up my nearest drugstore makeup dept, that good old retail therapy.

But I ran into a problem, I did not have an extra 25 bucks to induldge. (my anniversary just so happened to coincide so that's what my DB let me do :-) And my sister bought me some fun stuff too.

I wanted a new body mist, an anklet, new eyeshadow shade, cute little hand held mirror, hair bands and blush, etc, etc.

I'm a makeup girl, I'm not much into manicures and I was thinking that if my one girlfriend got the retail therapy urge after a breast surgergy she would want a cute manicure kit. 

So wouldn't it be a good idea to get some of these sorts of gift bags to give out to low income gals coming out of surgery? Have them pick out a choice, a check a box like "MAKEUP" "MANICURE" or whatnot, so they something to look forward to.

I have never done a fund raiser and I think it would not take alot of money, maybe get a drug store to get on board...maybe there is already something like this.

Any ideas or info would be greatly appreciated.

Hugs

Tessa

leggo

This is just my opinion, but after having the surgery, make-up is probably the furthest thing from anyone's mind. Not that's it's not a nice thought, but you'd probably have to be careful who you're presenting it to and when. I know when that chick from "Look Good, Feel Good" showed up (too soon), I wanted to punch her square in the face. JMHO.

dlb823

Tessa, I think it's wonderful that you would like to do something to ease what others are going through, and I think it would be a nice little diversion, just as a card or flowers or other gift showing up was on days I was feeling particularly low.  I guess my first question is, how would you decide who is low income?  And if that's even possible, how would you give a gift a low income patient without appearing to skip or omit others?  Afterall, women from all backgrounds meet and talk at support groups, chemo infusion rooms, and rads waiting rooms.

I can also appreciate gracie's comments -- maybe expecting the gift to lift everyone's spirits isn't realistic.  I signed up for and attended a Look Good, Feel Better class that I thought was great.  But it was my choice to go, at a time (well after surgery -- in fact, during chemo) that felt right to me.  I probably would have reacted entirely differently if someone had shown up shortly after I'd had surgery when I didn't even want to see or be seen by family.

Just a couple of random thoughts... but I do think you have an idea worth brainstorming.    Deanna

leggo

Tessa, forget what I said....listen to Deanna. She is so kind and so very smart. I just tend to get pissy when talking about cancer. It is a very nice thing to want to help others in the same situation and if it makes you feel good....do it.

Deanna, can I just say, out of all the women on this board, your posts are always the ones I look forward to the most. (I want to be like you when I grow up) Always kind, always informative and never a cross word to anyone. You're a very special lady.

TessaMe

Thanks All.

@gracie1

No worry. Yes, I can see how the subtext of the gift bag would imply "hey you look bad here is someting to make it better for us". But maybe crossword puzzels, book marks, cards, art supplies or a healthy snack. Just tucked into your going home hospital bag.

@dlb823

Well, what about Mediaid patients...or ya...well, i can see it would be complex  So yes, I'll keep storming my foggy brain.

leggo

Snacks and the like would be a good idea! Everyone I know has to supplement that wonderful hospital food. If my family woudn't have brought me food, I honestly would have starved. Other stuff to pass the time, like you mentioned, is also a pretty good idea. Just promise me, you won't put it in a flowery PINK bag, o.k.? A couple of years ago, I was on Herceptin and the nurse brought me this info booklet and survey to fill out regarding the medication from the pharma company. It looked very costly...all bound in pink brocade...I couldn't bring myself to touch it. I know it sounds nuts,  but I think the whole pink thing is grating on everyone's last nerve these days.

TessaMe

 check, no pink!

Butterflylady2012

Tessa, I think a general gift bag idea is a great idea.  Even if a magazine, snacks as said above....fun idea!  When I had my first surgery last May I got a breast corset, instructions for pain meds and all that not so fun stuff.  A cute little bag with uplifiting items would be something non-cancer related and maybe bring a little smile.  For months I did not wear makeup and even now, I am very careful about the kind I wear without parabens and all of those things, all natural products and only on occasion.  Keep up the positive energy to help your BC sisters feel a little better for a moment!  

Butterflylady (Sharon)

sbelizabeth

I'm posting here for three reasons.

1.  I'm having my DIEP recon in April and I'm hoping someone sends me a goodie bag like this!

2.  I can't sleep and I'm cruising around the boards trying to wear myself out.

3.  I would really like to not see ***Racing for Boobies*** every time I scroll down the boards.  It just irks me.

Thank you, and good night.