In April of this year I was diagnosed with cancer and my whole life changed forever.
In the beginning, I spent a week in hospital as they ran tests and confirmed my diagnosis. Throughout this week I was sent numerous beautiful bunches of flowers from friends and family as a way for them to let me know they were thinking of me.
Everything was overwhelming, including the outpouring of love, but I was also thankful for the gifts I was sent. It made me feel less alone during this very scary time.
After this initial hospital stay, I was then sent home for two weeks to undergo fertility preservation treatment before beginning a very intense chemotherapy protocol. I had three cycles of chemotherapy, with each cycle lasting 16 days.
For my first cycle I had to spend the whole cycle (and more) in hospital which meant I was in there for 21 days. During this time, I received a number of care packages from friends and family consisting of things to make my stay a little bit more comfortable and homely.
Watch: Gift wrapping- sans waste. Post continues below.
During my subsequent cycles, friends and family continued to send gifts my way and my family’s way. Whatever the gift, it always made me smile and made my day. To know that someone was thinking of me during this really difficult time, and had taken the time to think, choose and deliver a gift, was really special. It made me feel closer to people who I wasn’t necessarily able to see in person.
There were many gifts that upon receiving, both my family and I didn’t know would turn out to be very useful gifts. There were gifts that ended up becoming things that I reached for daily during my treatment and made the sh*t circumstance a little bit more comfortable.
So I’ve compiled a list of gifts I received and found useful, that I’d recommend you buy for someone you know who has cancer.
Disclaimer: If you are one of my friends or family and you don’t see a gift you got me on this list please don’t fret and think it wasn’t a good gift! In fact, every gift I’ve received has been great because it shows that I have people who love and care for me. Having said this I wanted to compile a list of gifts that went beyond flowers, chocolates, and candles (although those are great too and very much enjoyed!).
So here it is...
An insider's guide to the best gifts for a cancer patient, by a cancer patient:
1. Shawl.
When you’re in hospital receiving cancer treatment either as an inpatient or outpatient, you’re often hooked up to IVs 24/7. Being hooked up to an IV means you often can’t wear a jacket which is problematic as you get really cold! The solution that we found for me was wearing shawls which simply sit over your shoulders but provide great warmth. Here's one I was gifted: Aida Cape, $129.95 from French Connection.
2. Pyjamas.
As a cancer patient, you are going to spend a lot of time in hospital or in bed and I found that a nice pair of pyjamas can be a massive mood booster. I loved anything from Peter Alexander for that special but oh-so comfy sweet spot.
3. Fluffy socks with grips.
Another comfy but practical gift is a pair of warm and fluffy socks. Even better is if they have grips on the bottom for walking around the hospital ward. You can find some great options at Best & Less.
4. Oodie.
My sister bought me an Oodie when I was first diagnosed and I have used it daily – both at home and in the hospital.
It’s a great present and one that I will use even after I’ve finished with treatment. She bought me the Breakfast Buddies Oodie, but all of the Oodie prints are to die for!
5. Hospital/chemo blanket.
A hospital/chemo blanked is a must for every cancer patient.
I use my blanket on top of my bed when I’m in hospital to make the place feel more homely and bring some colour into the room and I also take my blanket with me when I go and get chemo as an outpatient. My blanket is from Castle and Things and is absolutely stunning. I receive so many compliments for it and it brings me a lot of joy.
6. Eye mask.
Another great gift I received was a silk eye mask. I’ve never been an eye mask wearer but when you’re sleeping in a hospital room there are a lot of things emitting light which obviously affects your quality of sleep. I’ve found using an eye mask improves my sleep by a long shot. Sheridan sells some beautiful silk eye masks.
7. Beanies/head scarf.
Not everyone will lose their hair when undergoing cancer treatment but many of us do, myself included. Beanies are a great gift to give someone undergoing cancer treatment if you know they will lose their hair. The key thing to keep in mind when gifting a beanie is the material as people undergoing cancer treatment have very sensitive skin. I would avoid wool and instead stick with soft non-irritating materials such as cotton and bamboo. I just bought this one from The Iconic which feels great on my bald head!
8. Toothpaste/mouthwash.
One of the side effects from many of the chemotherapy drugs is mucositis which results in a very sore, sensitive, ulcer filled mouth. I found that generic toothpaste was way too harsh on my sore and sensitive mouth. One of my friend’s dad gifted me this brand of toothpaste – Biotene – which was very gentle of my mouth and gums.
9. Puzzle books/colouring in/games.
There is only so much TV and endless scrolling on your phone that you can do before you get bored.
It was nice to have some alternative entertainment in the forms of puzzle books, colouring in, and easy card games I could play with my family such as Skipbo.
10. Tumbler.
I was encouraged to drink a lot of water during my treatment and early on my sister gifted me a tumbler to use both in hospital and at home. It made it really easy to drink a lot of water. I have one similar to this one by Frank Green.
11. Hand cream.
If you are undergoing chemotherapy, or have to spend a lot of time in hospital for treatment, your skin becomes very dry. It was really nice to be gifted some a hand cream to use both in hospital and at home. At the end of each day it was a little moment of self-care. I love this one by Lanolips.
On the one hand, I hope you never have to reference this list. But on the other hand, I hope that if you find yourself in need of some assistance with what to buy your loved one or friend who has just been diagnosed with cancer, I hope this guide is helpful.
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