Chemotherapy care packages? What to include

[Anonymous]

If anyone out there has been through chemo with a loved one and has suggestions on what makes life easier/better for the patient and their caregivers can you share suggestions? TIA

[Anonymous]

ginger ale, crossword puzzles, a comfortable throw blanket and/or robe, prescription called Zofran which is an anti-nausea, hats and scarves, saltine crackers, plenty of reading material (trashy magazines), a photo album, a bookmark with a positive quote, cozy slippers, an iPod or MP3 player..try googling chemo kit, there's a ton of other ideas.

[Anonymous]

I had chemo last winter. PP above has great suggestions - here's more

warm fuzzy socks, good lotions (but not strongly scented) for hands and feet, Biotin toothpaste/mouthwash/gum, ginger chews (can get at Whole Foods), warm hats (you can never have enough hats in the winter) - google "chemo hats" and get some sleeping caps, senna tea (if constipated), bringing dinner for the family, calling when you're going to the store/pharmacy & seeing if they need anything

The best thing I had to get me through the infusions though was an iPad with lots of mindless games.

[Anonymous]

I had chemo last year--most important was an iPod, and a gaming device. I didn't feel much like reading--after a while chemo brain kicked in so I couldn't do crossword puzzles or anything that required much cognition. Jolly ranchers are good to relieve a metallic taste in the mouth.

The best thing my friends did was chip in to hire a cleaning service to come every other week for three months. They also made up a rotation system to bring us meals. I couldn't eat much, but he needed to eat. They also came by and walked our dog regularly. You might volunteer to drive your friend to the chemo apptointments. There was one day per cycle where I felt the worst, and like I was going to die, so my friend came over and teleworked from our house, as my husband had to go to work. I will never forget how much everyone helped us--it means the world to me.

[Anonymous]

If you can go in with several other people, an iPad would be perfect.

[Anonymous]

I had a friend who's husband went through chemo...the thing she always asked for was food that she just had to pop in the oven. The thing is though, her husband had special dieting concersns/issues that changed throughout the treatment. One time she asked for high fat/high carb food, like super cheesey mac and cheese. Another time he wasn't really hungry but needed all the nutrition he could get, so something like low fat, loaded-with-high-power-veggies-and-whole-grains soup was on the menu.

Also, if there are kids involved, age appropriate snacks were also requested - like cereal "cookies" they could grab on the go for breakfast.

Also, whenever I dropped food off, I asked if there was anything they needed from the store...Usully she said no, but sometimes an order of fresh fruit or for a big pack of tp was placed.

If you're not into cooking, but have some time, general offers of running errands would probably be appreciated. Anything to save the family time would be great.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget about the spouse/caretaker. If the patient is unable to eat/has a specialized diet, chances are that the spouse/caretaker is going without real meals most of the time.

Rides to and from treatment once or twice a week - this will relieve a huge burden from the spouse/caretaker.

[Anonymous]

I sent Queasy Pops, cozy socks, magazines and non-petroleum lip balm to my dad when he was having a hard time with chemo. The whole family wrote cheer up notes.

I also offered to buy him an Elvis wig, but not everyone is going to find that funny.