Any Suggestions?

One of my many sisters-in-law is going through chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. I have volunteered to sit with her during her next treatment which happens to fall on her birthday. I could use some ideas both for things to help make her comfortable during the treatment and birthday gift items. Ideas so far are...

relaxation/meditation cd's loaded into an MP3 player
water bottle
insulated mug
ginger tea
peppermint tea
ginger candies
lip balm
hand cream
warm socks
cookies
jello
tissues
crossword/word search book
journal (cover altered by me of course )
stuffed animal

I love listening to books or movies I already have read/seen when I am not feeling great. Its comforting to me and I don't care if I zone out. For me that is things like Harry Potter audio books or a favorite movie of mine.

An eye mask? Like the ones with beads in them (or you can make them with lentils?).

Maybe a pretty book or magazine to flip thru (I find I can't concentrate as well when I am not feeling great but a magazine is nice to look at)

that's really sweet of you to stay with her, Cindy...
what a great list! maybe add a tote she can keep all of it in?

I know when my dad went through chemo he was super nauseous so anything food related or that had a strong smell was out.

Its super sweet of you to sit with her and hugs to her for having to go through this at all let alone on her birthday!

Mara wrote:I know when my dad went through chemo he was super nauseous so anything food related or that had a strong smell was out.

Its super sweet of you to sit with her and hugs to her for having to go through this at all let alone on her birthday!

What about stuff to help with the nausea? That's why I was thinking ginger and peppermint.

I love the idea of peppermint stuff! I get nausea frequently and even just smelling peppermint often makes me feel better.

warm blankie. they'll have some at chemo, but it is nice to have your own. and socks too. take your shoes off and have pretty sockies.

If you are going to be driving her to treatment, put a pillow, paper towels and an urp container (just in case) in your car!

When my son was going through chemo, any lotions with strong scents made him nauseous so watch the hand cream scents!

also, depending on the chemo they use, hard candies help with the metal mouth taste that chemo patients often experience.

I haven't had any experience with this so I don't have any suggestions but I wanted to say what a kind thing for you to do for your SIL. to both of you as I'm sure it won't be an easy day.

another thought since the treatment is on her birthday is to make her one of those cute little cupcake wrapper with those nice warm fuzzy socks!

ceekay wrote:another thought since the treatment is on her birthday is to make her one of those cute little cupcake wrapper with those nice warm fuzzy socks!

I don't know what you mean. Link please?

Chickie showed them to us on Scrap Freak. Her mom made them for all the retreat gals.

wait...I think it was on Chickie's blog.

I looked for a bit on the freak and on her blog. I can't find it. But it is there, somewhere. Hopefully someone can help.

cupcake socks?

It was Kim Arbmommy who made those, and croppincarla, iirc

And Cherie, I think!

ceekay wrote:another thought since the treatment is on her birthday is to make her one of those cute little cupcake wrapper with those nice warm fuzzy socks!

Oh, I just sent Chickie's mom some links for these today! Let me go get them.

Can't find the actual cupcake link but here are some other ones that are cute.

Ice Cream
https://2img.net/h/i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj292/greeniebeanie1/012-2.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj292/greeniebeanie1/007-5.jpg

and Margaritas
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GR11wEe802Y/S-s8GxnvXZI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/ioKbN1ybhN4/s400/006.JPG

socks for cupcakes?
or socks made out of cupcakes. mmmmm

Kim explained the cupcake thing. She said to roll up the socks, put them in a cupcake paper, then pull up the center to make a rounded top like a cupcake.

It's very much like the ice cream one I posted. Just with a paper wrapper all the way around (which I have a template for if you want me to email it to you) and a red pom pom on top.

monica wrote:It's very much like the ice cream one I posted. Just with a paper wrapper all the way around (which I have a template for if you want me to email it to you) and a red pom pom on top.

Yes! Please do!

Okay. I guess I missed page two of this thread yesterday. I just might have to do the Margarita one instead of a cupcake!

oooh I like the margarita idea much better!