What can I send to a person entering chemo again?

[yardwork]

My cousin battled breast cancer last year, and a few days ago she learned that she now has both blood and bone cancers. She lives far away, and I don't have many details. She's entered chemo again, with blood transfusions. My aunt says "they're taking her immune system to zero."

I want to send my cousin a care package but I'm not sure what would be of most comfort. I doubt she's hungry. Would hand lotions be welcome? Are there other items that might bring comfort? Thank you for any advice.

[emulatorloo]

1. Just a couple things come to mind. My wife appreciated these things

Hand sanitizer for when her immune system gets low. Bath and Bodyworks has nice ones.

Head coverings like these if she loses her hair. This is a good company.

https://www.headcovers.com/scarves

Good Ginger snaps for nausea from chemo.

Tea if she is a tea drinker.

I have never used this company, but you might be able to get ideas from the stuff they include in their cancer care packages so you could make your own personal one just for her.

https://www.justdontsendflowers.com/gifts-for-cancer-patients/

[elleng]

2. Nice suggestions.

Stouffers has good ginger snaps (imo.)

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

9. Also, on Etsy, a number of sellers offer nice hand-made head-coverings.

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=head%20coverings%20cancer

I noticed they also sell them under the description, "Jewish head covering" and of course, "chemo caps."

A gift certificate for whichever source you choose would be nice. Not only can the person choose their favorite style, looking through the options might be a diversion, at least for some, like me, who are really into design and don't mind spending hours looking at various versions of items.

[mahina]

3. Thanks for this question. Queasy drops look great.

[TNNurse]

4. Head coverings are great...need soft and light.

Make sure she has masks...
Does she like to listen to recorded books??? Discs or a subscription to a service (we do Audible).

When I got chemo, I lost the ability to taste salt, but could taste sweet. I did not want to eat since I had awful diarrhea...painful cramps. One of the things that kept me alive were Frosties from Wendy's. You might suggest that they check if ice cream or milkshakes would help. Of course, others have had the opposite block.

Also, when my white count got really low, I had unbelievable night sweats, the fluid will literally drip off my arms and legs and soak my nightgown and sheets. So you might want to warn your aunt to have pads for the bed and soft gowns. It frightened me because no one warned me, but it is not uncommon.

I will try to think of others.

Just make sure they know to keep her contact with others minimal....no immune system is scary.

[alfredo]

10. All I could handle was mashed potatoes and gravy. Milk shakes are good if you can handle cold drinks

Get a couple 1 liter triangle graduated containers The hospital might give you one. Great for barfing.

[japple]

5. Cooling pads for head and body

https://coolcaretechnologies.com/products/cool-flash-pad I recently bought a cooling pad for pets from Aldi. It does seem to help, but I think I need another one for my head. I'm thinking of ordering the one from this company.

Vermont Country Store has button cookies in many flavors. I'm sure they are all delicious, but the gingers might help some with nausea.
https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/orton-brothers-cookie-buttons-2-boxes/product/H5118

Lip balm or chapstick.

Aloe vera gel. I had to use it all the time during radiation. She might not need it, but I liked using the Dye Free After Sun Aloe Vera gel from Walgreens.

[Staph]

6. Different kinds of chemo cause different reactions.

But in my first round, the staff recommended lotion with lanolin. Many lotions contain alcohol, and that makes your chemo-dried skin even drier.

[alfredo]

11. Aquaphor mostly vaseline, but it very good.

[yardwork]

7. Thank you so much for these suggestions!

I'm sorry for my silence. My cousin is having a difficult time and can't receive cards or gifts now, but I want you all to know how much it meant to me that you responded so quickly. I'll put your suggestions in motion as soon as I can.

[PennyC]

8. Just in case

Let me recommend HairKittyKitty.com as a great place to buy wigs. I've been buying from them since 2016, when I had my own treatment. They're extremely helpful and their prices (they make all the hair products on the site themselves) can't be beat.