What's a good gift to give my sister-in-law, who is undergoing chemo?

Question

I'd love to get her something special. If you've been through chemo, what was helpful or useful? I live 8 hours away so helping her with meals, chores, etc. is difficult. I've sent some nice meals through a catalog but now I learn she's not eating much. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

What a sweet person you are! I would suggest phone calls and notes showing your support. Scarves along with instructions for unique ways to tie them. I remember when I lost my hair, I got tired of wearing the plain old bandanna really fast. Food and scented lotions and bath products may be a bit tricky though. I would suggest some unscented lotions. The very best gift that I received was all the notes, cards and phone calls from friends and family.

Chemo is a very difficult road and I wish her the very best. Give her a hug from me, and one for you too!

Answer 2

Call Willner Chemist at 1800 633-1106 and order her the best vitamins you can get, (no preservatives or added fillers) a variety, C, all the B's, MAGNESIUM (lots OF IT in powder form by Ecological Formulas called Tri Salts) she should take at least a teaspoon full like 6 times a day), Authored by Musicology, E, A, D with Calcium, Mineral complex supplement, etc... just tell the lady what she is going through and she can help you pick out what she needs. This place is really reasonable for vitamins, much less expensive than what you can get at a NC type store.
NOW!!!! You may think this is a stupid idea...BUT it is the best gift you can give her short of an IV nutrient bag, which most places don't give to people. The chemo does kill the bad, but it also kills the good so she needs to take like three times the amount of vitamins, accept A, to help her body deal with the chemo. Tell her you are sending her a cocktail! She can put them all in a blender with some smoothie drink and she will feel MUCH better. Also ask the Chemist what she could take naturally for nausea and get that too. Seriously, this is the best present you can give her at a time like this and then call her and have cocktails over the phone!! I will pray for her. God Bless!

Answer 3

When my aunt was having her bouts of chemo, she was chilled all the time, and she also was tired. She wanted only
soup most of the time and toast. She had a lap robe, and I
know they have electric ones for keeping you warmer than
hers did. My aunt also liked candy. Especially the gift boxes
she sometimes would get.
So thinking along those lines, I'd recommend you buy her
an electric lap robe, and a nice box of wrapped chocolates to
make her feel special. She deserves a treat and will appre-
ciate one, I'm sure. If it weren't for my having eaten the food
they serve from Meals On Wheels, I would recommend them.
But the food is terrible and they ask that you pay them. So I
think eating simple foods for awhile that can be zapped in
the micro, would be the way for her to go. I doubt she'll have an appetite for several days anyway. And she will be the best
judge on what she can keep down anyway. Rest and eating
lightly will probably be her desire for several days. So if she
has a robe to keep her warmer and a special treat waiting
when she feels like a sweet treat, that will make her smile
and definately give her a morale a boost. Knowing that you
cared enough to think of her, will be so uplifting. And I'm sure
she'll let you know as soon as she feels better. If someone
can come in and stay with her to help heat what food she
desires, that would be a plus. I was available to help my aunt,
but she didn't want my assistance. She was a tough old lady,
and never let me hear one complaint.

Answer 4

I think loads of bath lotions, body creams and perfume would be nice. She needs to feel feminine and unfortunately at this time that's the last thing she feels. I know she needs scarves and love but feminine things are important. Also humour needs to come into her life so send her a kissogram (on a good day, not the day after chemo) telling her how wonderful she is, how important she is to your family and how much she's loved. I wish her all the luck in the world.

Answer 5

I agree with Maw-Maw - sweatsuits are a great choice. When my mom was going through chemo (she was almost 70 at the time), she was perpetually cold, and these were perfect for wearing to doctor's appointments. Have you considered getting her a pair of UGG boots? They're not just for the kids -- the sherpa lining is extremely soft and extremely warm. They also have a nice sturdy rubber sole, so they aren't as slippery on bare floors as slippers.

Answer 6

A cozy comforter and some peaceful relaxation CDs would be nice but the greatest gift you can give is the gift of your time because "you" are more important than anything that money could buy. You might also consider sending a few encouraging notes and cards reminding her how special she is to you and how much you truly love her. God bless you for your kindness and compassion towards your sister-in-law.
I wish you and your family the very best!

Answer 7

Oh my, I walked through this with my Grandmother and my Mother! My heart breaks when I hear of anyone going through this battle.

I was told to make potato soup as the chemo leaves a metallic taste in the mouth. I made this and they were able to eat the soup and keep it down, as well.

Stay in touch! Keep her up to date with your activities and LIFE! Let her experience the outside world, through you!

I bought my Mom, some soft footies which helped to keep her feet warm but, did not allow for swelling either. Both, used robes, over thier clothing, when they were feeling chilled.

I hope I have helped, somewhat. However, there is another way to help as well. I do not know if you are a Christian but, I am. In as much, I pray you do not mind if I pray for her and for all this is touching. This is very much a family disease as it touches the closest members! She, is the one my heart goes out to, the most. I pray God helps her through each step in her battle!

Blessings,
Gail

Answer 8

Nope that's not right! What a ahh! Ok so you already have your daughter right? So you have the name. It would be silly of her to copy it, but silly on her part not yours. She will just look like a copy-cat, you will have the original name. If i were you, i'd confront her about this and say how you feel, say how you picked the name with meaning and a lot of thought and for her to "take" it as it were, you feel it's unfair to you and your daughter. Hope this helps and good luck :)

Answer 9

If your sis-in-law belongs to a church community in her home town, contact the Ladies' Ministry head there, and see if you can get them to volunteer to clean her house, sit with her, run her everyday errands, help pay bills, etc. Have a "hat party" for her..have all in your family decorate a pre-bought hat with things that will amuse her and bring back fond memories. Find out what she's tolerating food-wise (contact her physicians/registered dieticians etc.) and then phone a local restaurant close to her, or recruit those church ladies once more, and take her the things she CAN tolerate. since chilliness is usually rampant, along with very brittle nails, dry skin and itching/discomfort, send her a love gift of a nice basket, filled with truly moisterizing lip balms, hand creams, face/body lotions, foot care creams. tuck in a bottle of mildly scented lavender linen spray to help her relax in her bed at night. send her updates on all the family's goings-on, and make sure the entire family is communicating with HER. buy everyone in the family a disposable camera, have them fill it up with autumn family activities, school photos, special moments, but more than anything, familiar and loved faces smiling at her. find out what things she is able to do, and enjoys, while she's in chemo...it's a long process...and send her a needlepoint kit, a book, an MP3 or Ipod with soothing calming music on it. SPOIL HER SILLY and more than anything else, get your church and your faith community PRAYING FOR HER, for God alone is the GREAT PHYSICIAN. He knows every cell in her body; after all He created them all. He knows her needs, her fears, her physical comforts and discomforts. And although WE may not seem to see Him at work, I promise you, He will be.

Finally...if your sister in law does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, pray for the Lord to send witness her way through people, books, media, etc. Making sure that no matter WHEN God calls her home, she has a secure eternity sealed with HIM, is the greatest, eternal gift one can ever give another. (Send her a Bible with the whole family's birthdays, anniversaries, and photos of them all tucked into places in the Bible beside UNDERLINED OR HILITED Scripture verses that remind you of that person.

Answer 10

Food is the last thing she would want! Her skin will begin to seriously dry out - some nice lotion containing cocoa butter would be a good item for her! Also if the chemo is prolonged she will probably lose her hair - the scalp gets very dry! Again - lotion! And for when she has lost most of her hair (it does grow back again) it would be nice if you gave her some pretty and soft and attractive scarves (like bandannas) to wear on her head! Also very soft night gowns (tricot, nylon, soft pima cotton) all very good choices. Hope she is well very soon.