gifts for women recovering

Do you live near her? Does she have children. The best gifts for me is when someone shows up to do something for me without my asking. You know, run the vaccuum, do the dishes, help with laundry or even do my grocery shopping (not pay for just run for it). The treatments are tiring and wear on you. You keep up with daily chores, work, children, etc. and it is just a bit much while on chemo!

If you don't live near her or that does not seem possible, then something personal for her only. Something she wouldn't spoil herself with. Nice bath salts, lotions, perfume....things that make you feel good as a woman that you don't like to waste the money on for yourself.

Hope this helps!

LuAnn

I am a caregiver to my sister who is going through chemo right now. Your question made me think about the things that made the biggest difference or offered the most help. Very soft things like fleece blankets, robes and socks. Also because of the loss of tastebeds combined with very sore throats, I learned from this site about cream cheese and milk shakes. Some days when she could eat this was all I could get her to eat. It made a world of difference. Forget books because concentration is hard. The only other thing I can tell you is the gift of your time. Either helping to keep her house together, babysitting or just sitting with her so she doesn't get lonely. She won't ask for these things things and like the cream cheese and milk shakes, she may not even think of them - but she will appreciate them.

I have a couple more suggestions:
- Chapstick for her chapped lips from the chemo
- Breathright nasal strips

Along with babysitting help(which is critical), meals and errand running, these were suggestions that came from my sister as the things that made the biggest difference to her as gifts.

I think I would add funny cards and emails to help her know that she is in your thought. Get friends to keep up with emails and to expect no replies because sometimes she just can't.

I have put together a small care package for my sister -- chap stick, waterless hand cleaner, and some lotion. Avoiding things perfumed as they don't always agree with her. I will add magazines and small hand craft projects over time. If she has any specific food cravings, cater to those if the food isn't on some sort of "banned" list.

All these are great ideas..I did get something recently and I do something like this myhself at times..This person had sent tons of postcards with her addresss on them already with postage on them, that is the greatest thing! That way someone doesnt have to write a lot and the psotage is there.

Also cute note cards with a book of stamps..stamps are really important as then they are their and maybe a little address book, not too big for all her friends if she has met along her journey their address if they should write, and she could put thier name in it...I did that with myhown address book as all my BC sisters are in one spot..andI remember LONG time ago when I was hospitalized, I told my dh to go home when he did and look up this one name, and call her to let her know where i was, and that was perfect as there are so many here that do wonder and worry "what happened to" or "have you seen so in so".

I found that their are these special pillows made with these little beads inside that really help you get comfy, weather under the arm, or just the corner of the main pillow and they are washable...Here is the name: SKWISH
they are great...from putting under my hip or arm or head, they are the perfect little pillow...

I also found out that well I like peppermint, and life savers came out with these big bags of bigger lifesavers individualy wrapped..and they take that nasty taste out of your mouth, plus made me drink more water so I didnt dehydrate which I usually do.

Ter