Need ideas for Easter basket

[Catholic90]

I need ideas, but for a different kind of basket. A dear friend has been told her cancer has returned. Several years ago, she underwent surgery and chemo for breast cancer. For 5 years she was cancer free. After the cancer went into remission, one of her adult children was killed in an accident, and then her husband left her. Now she has just been told the cancer has returned. She will have surgery next week and will be hospitalized on Easter Sunday.

We want to take her an Easter basket on Sunday morning, and I need ideas for things to put in it that will lift her spirits, ease her pain, occupy her time, and offer her comfort.

She was a Catholic youth minister for 20+ years, so she has many, many prayer books, Bibles, rosaries, and all the “typical” items one would give. Any other suggestions? What comfort items would you suggest? Newer (ie a year or less old) inspirational reading? Lotions? Other items?

 

[whatevergirl]

I’m sorry to hear that, Catholic…and her husband left her also?

She will be in my prayers.

I would put something together with the following:

• nice stationery or a pretty journal for her to keep daily reflections and thoughts
• calming teas
• lotions would be great–maybe aromatherapy type
• Catholic reflections book
• tea biscuits to have with her tea
• a small plant
• cd of her fave music or calming music of some type

 

[Arlene]

How about CD’s of the Rosary being recited, the Divine Mercy Chaplet being recited, or Christian/Catholic music. Maybe a CD of Gregorian Chant.

 

[funnyyetsavvy]

How about a small statue of her favorite/patron saint, aromatherapy candles, scented bath beads, pretty head scarf, neck pillow, clip on reading light, gift cert to fave dining place or spa,

and

PEEPS…(sorry, but to me the arrival of the PEEPS = spring:bounce

 

[MissMichal]

This is an awesome idea…I hope she gets some comfort from it. These are suggestions from my experience as a CNA on an oncology floor and in hospice.

Do be aware that with certain types of cancer treatment, the patient becomes immunocompromised and there will be certain things she can’t have in her room. Plants and flowers are at the top of this list because they can carry infectious fungi (it seems weird, but fungal infections are no fun at all). Severely immunocompromised patients aren’t even allowed to have uncooked fruits or vegetables for this reason. For the Easter basket, it’s probably better not to include any plants or anything edible. That way you can check with her nurses as to what is allowed. Tea, though, I think will be fine, as long as it’s not medicinal herbs. Some chemo patients get great comfort from ginger, lemon, peppermint and chamomile tea because they help calm upset stomachs. Instead of flowers, try other visuals to brighten up the room, like statues, holy cards, or brightly colored Easter clings (y’know, the plastic things you put on windows…)

Also be aware that several chemo patients are made quite ill by scented products. If you can find some unscented soap, shampoo or body wash, it will be a great help because sometimes even the hospital products have enough fragrance to make them nauseous. She also will absolutely not be allowed to have candles because there are lots of flammable things (including pure oxygen) in a hospital environment.

Another thing that might be helpful is a cardigan, bedjacket or bathrobe. Hospital gowns are ugly and they seem to fall off in the darndest places at the most inconvenient times, but a cancer patient will have lots of IV lines, etc., and so it’s tough to wear regular PJs. A bedjacket will help her feel pretty without being too inconvenient.

I love the idea about chants and rosary CDs. If you can, it might be nice to load up an MP3 player with these things, and maybe an audio Bible, some soothing nature sounds, or audio books. These are great because sometimes patients are too tired to read. Along this line, playing music or reading aloud when you visit your friend is a great gift.

Good luck and God bless,
-S-

 

[TracyJ]

I need ideas, but for a different kind of basket. A dear friend has been told her cancer has returned. Several years ago, she underwent surgery and chemo for breast cancer. For 5 years she was cancer free. After the cancer went into remission, one of her adult children was killed in an accident, and then her husband left her. Now she has just been told the cancer has returned. She will have surgery next week and will be hospitalized on Easter Sunday.

We want to take her an Easter basket on Sunday morning, and I need ideas for things to put in it that will lift her spirits, ease her pain, occupy her time, and offer her comfort.

She was a Catholic youth minister for 20+ years, so she has many, many prayer books, Bibles, rosaries, and all the “typical” items one would give. Any other suggestions? What comfort items would you suggest? Newer (ie a year or less old) inspirational reading? Lotions? Other items?

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Normally, lotion is given by the hospital.
Jelly Belly jellybeans
A fountain pen, you can get them online
A pretty, girly notebook
A Karen Valentine book