When your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, it’s understandable that you want to give them a little gift to lift their spirits and help them through the process and let them know that you are thinking of them. Susan Rafte, a breast cancer survivor and volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, says: “There’s so much going on in a patient’s world that it’s nice to let them know you’re thinking of them”. Undergoing chemotherapy treatment or Radiation can be a very difficult time for a patient. A patient undergoing these treatments may experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue, bruising, depression, sleeping problem, dry skin, swelling… as an adverse side effect. So knowing all these, how can you show your support for your loved one? how can you make their life a little bit easier? Here are our top 10 gift ideas to help ease the side effects during and after radiation.

Gift Ideas for Patients Going Through Chemo and Radiation

1- Chemo Port Pillow

To avoid repeated needle sticks during chemotherapy, many patients have a port, a catheter through which drugs are delivered. The port is usually installed in the chest, beneath the skin and near the shoulder. Placement of the port can make wearing a seat belt uncomfortable, a port pillow protects the port site from becoming irritated by a seatbelt when riding in the car and relieves this discomfort.

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2- Back Scratcher

For patients who are unable to raise their arms, Back scratcher comes in handy when they feel itching in some parts of their body especially if it’s that annoying part of the back that they can never reach. This Double-Sided “Cactus Scratcher” can easily scratch those hard to reach spots and relieve stress. According to most customers, this back scratcher is sturdier than most back scratchers and doesn’t have that flimsy feeling.

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3- Water Bottle

Hydration is extremely important during chemotherapy. A good BPA-free water bottle that’s easy to open and keeps liquids cold or hot for extended periods may be particularly useful. You can support the fighter in your life with something they will use throughout their treatment.

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4- Radiation Gift Basket

This set includes products to help repair skin damage from radiation therapy and products that will calm, soothe, and moisturize skin. It also contains some snacks to help boost energy that is so often lost with radiation treatment.

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5- Radiation Relief Lotion

During radiation therapy, the skin may become pink or tanned, some people may develop a rash or blisters in the area where they are getting radiation therapy. Skin moisturizers can help to minimize any skin reaction and will help skin recover more quickly from treatment.

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6- Fleece Blanket

Patients often say they get cold during chemo so it helps to cuddle up with a blanket. “Towards the end of my treatment, when the cold cap feels even colder because you inevitably have less hair, electric blankets are invaluable,” Montego a cancer survivor says.

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7- Wireless Headphone

Wireless headphones are portable to carry anywhere and help avoid the hassles of dealing with cords. A nice pair of Wireless headphones would allow the patient to listen to music or watch tv without disturbing others.

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8- Sleep Mask

Getting a good rest is the goal of most patients in the hospital. The very nature of a hospital can make sleep especially challenging, sometimes chemo treatment is long and the patient just needs to take a nap. Sleep masks may help the patient nap during treatment or allow him/her to sleep through the night, where light may interfere with the quality and quantity of sleep. These washable masks made from naturally moisturizing silk will bring total darkness to your patient for perfect sleep.

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9- Crossword Puzzle

Activity levels decrease during active cancer treatment and cause fatigue and boredness. Give the gift of crossword puzzles as a means to keep your patient entertain while stuck in the hospital. Mind games or puzzles help patients to be distracted and pass time.

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10- Chemo Hat

Many chemotherapy patients look for ways to cover their heads after losing hair during treatment. Chemo hats give them the chance to hide their loss of hair and also help keep their scalps protected from the weather and keep their head warm.

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