I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial cancer last year and loved ones instinctively consoled and asked me what I need. Financial help? Yes of course. However, not everyone has the capacity to help you financially. I really did not know what I needed at that time, but I am super blessed to have loved ones who shared more than their material things and time with me. So, if a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, here are a few practical gifts for cancer patients.
During therapy sessions and throughout the treatment, a cancer patient will be bringing and/or use one or all these items.
It’s inevitable that cancer patients will lose their hair during chemotherapy. Your friend might not need this on her first chemotherapy session, but she will certainly need this on her second one. A soft cotton type beanie to cover her head will be useful daily even when she is just in the house. Check out www.chemobeanies.com.
Face Mask.
Before COVID 19, only immunocompromised patients like cancer patients are wearing masks. A mask might be a trivial thing, but it will be greatly appreciated considering that your friend will need to use mask every day to avoid catching viral diseases.
Water bottle. Give a 1-liter water bottle that can be carried all day long. Cancer patients need to hydrate themselves all the time. Your water bottle gift will be used even after therapy.
Alcohol, wipes, and tissues. These are must bring items for cancer patients. One should sanitize their environment all the time. Cancer patients will need these items more than ever.
Fresh fruits and vegetables. A cancer patient friend will need fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Water will eventually taste bland so making smoothies and juices from fresh fruits and vegetables will be part of their daily routine. My recommendation are guyabano / soursop, kale, petchay, carrots, pineapple, cucumber, dragon fruit, papaya, sayote/chayote, banana, frozen berries, and coconut juice. Make sure to ask about their inventory so the fruits and vegetables will not be wasted.
Nuts, seeds, unsweetened dried fruits. Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, sunflower seeds and the like are good for cancer patients. These can be included in their smoothies and nuts can be packed for snacks.
Coloring books and colored pencils or inspirational books. Cancer patients will have a lot of time in their hand. Coloring books and reading will fill up their time and keep them motivated. Pick something that is easy to color and to read because cancer patients will easily get tired.
Rechargeable thermal bag. Muscle sores and leg cramps are just a few of the inconveniences that a cancer patient will experience. A rechargeable thermal bag will relieve the patient of such pain.
If you would rather give something that will not require shopping, volunteer to help your cancer friend by cooking them a healthy viand, cleaning their house, taking care of their pet, accompanying them in their appointments, or organizing fund raising for their treatment. A cancer patient maybe embarrassed to ask you to give and do these things for them, but they will certainly need it.