Seeking Gift Ideas for Friend Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

A friend of mine appreciated a little gift basket I made for her that consisted of small but conforting things, like tea bags, lotion, fine soap, a soft towel, foot soak, photographs, and little things like that. I also put a really fine bar of chocolate in there, a small treat. I hope your friend's surgery goes well and she makes a full recovery. <3

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Our church does prayer quilts (lap size). One of the ladies in our church choir, was given a prayer quilt and she said that she loved it, since she could take it with her to the hospital for chemo or sitting at home watching tv. It took care of her while she was having chills. So it doesn't have to be a prayer quilt, but a lap size quilt, might be nice.

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Hi D.,

I had a double mastectomy two years ago. Some of my favorite things were small pillows a church provided to use under my arms. If you are crafty you could make them. I also was given a pouch to carry my drains. Simple two pieces of fabric sewn together with long ribbon to tie around my neck. Call her and go by, even if just to sit. Food is great, especially if it can be frozen. Gift cards to restaruants. Weekly uplifting cards. Go with her to doctor appointments. I just saw a zipper front sports bra at Academy. She will not be able to lift her arms so a zipper front bra (no underwire) is ideal. Also go by your local American Caner Society office. Ask for the 'Reach to Recovery' information.

The best gift is being a good friend.

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I would suggest a nice Custom SPA gift basket. I have made them before for just this cause. I put slippers, bathrobe, 2 pc pajamas with button front for ease of on/off, some gourmet Teas and cup, Gift card for some movies or services she needs, a Candle, some lotion, shampoo and conditioner.. in custom personalized bottles, her favorite novel and custom stationary... some beautiful things to make her feel special and beautiful!

Hope that gives you an idea...
A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com

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besides books, you may try some crafts, or get her some sketch book and materials, and encourage her to do some art, and say for fun, don't say I can't draw a straight line etc. as art isn't a straight line, just a suggestion, but this could get her mind of of things if she could take up this or a hobby. Some upbeat music, not irritating, ha, but they say cheerful music is very healing.

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You have already gotten some great ideas... both my mom and Aunt had breast cancer...
Patients can get cold while having their treatments, a shawl or small blanket to take with her to treatments to help keep her warm is nice. If you knit or crochet, they are pretty easy to make and their are a lot of free patterns on line (try the Lion Brand Web site).
If you don't know how to knit or crochet, a small fleece blanket or shawl is easy to make. you can buy the fleece at fabric stores and some Wal-marts, just cut a rectangle to size allowing for fringe and cut a fringe along the edge then tie a knot in each fringe. (like making the no sew blankets)The fleece won't ravel at all... and remember when making your fringe that the part that will be against her back when sitting will e uncomfortable if there is fringe there.
If your friend enjoys coffee or tea, adding some flavored coffees or tea may also be nice.
Mostly, your time and love will be the best gifts you can give to her.

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My mom had her surgery this week. Ditto to the button front shirts, as someone suggested. My mom had to go get button front pjs at the last minute, because she forgot about clothes for sleeping. Also, my mom has really enjoyed books and lectures on tape/cd because she's too tired to read or too sick from chemo to focus on the words. But she's bored and the books on tape have been fun for her. I got her some funny lectures about having kids and stuff like that. I'm not sure how close you are with your friend, but she'll probably have a "drain" after surgery for a time period and she may not be comfy with you visiting her while it's in.
Best of luck to her.

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I would get stuff that she can enjoy while she's recovering from the mastectomy... Maybe some magazines or books, a box of chocolates, a couple of new movies... And I'm sure if you felt like offering to help with the house work she'd really appreciate that. Maybe make a meal she can freeze and just pop in the microwave or oven when she's ready to eat it. I know that these things are big hits after I've had a baby, and I can only imagine how much more help and support she's going to need over the next several weeks. Hugs to you, and she'll be in my prayers.

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You are so kind to do this. I am a 7 year survivor and had a double mastectomy. If she is going through chemo, nice scarves and hats for her head are appreciated.

The best thing my friends did for me was provide meals for weeks. I had a 1 year old at that time and really didn't have the energy to make any meals. I also received lots of magazines and great books.

I hope this helps. And God bless your friend - and you, too!

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From my experience, I could not have made it without my friends, since I have no family here. I wasn't hungry but appreciated meals for my family. The gift of time is very appreciated. Many people offered to help "in any way" but some showed up saying I have 2 hours free, what can I do for you?, go to the store, throw in some laundry. I had a good friend who was a nurse. She came and helped with drains (you come home with them post surgery). As a non medical person I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing. Chick flicks, a good book, socks, soft loose fitting lounging wear, anything you would get for any surgical patient. If your friend is having chemo she will need scarfs and hats, which she won't want to spend $ on. Most ladies I've met can't concentrate on projects, or crafts, reading. or any of the things we think we would do if we had some time off, while going thru chemo.
You might offer to take her to a breast cancer support group.
Most of the major hospitals have them. Mine meets at Medical Center of Plano, 3rd Monday of each month 7 pm. It's a wonderful group, very informative and fun. Like a special club
you never pictured yourself being a part of. It was the little things for me. My husband made me pudding, a mum was left on my porch, a friend gave me a pedicure. All the best to you and your friend!

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Either hire someone to clean her house for her, or clean it for her, bring her meals, or go get some frozen meals that she can keep in her freezer and use when she needs.

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We had a Hat & Scarf Party for one of our friends. Many people brought Gift cards to Wig It. Someone even brought a regae wig with dreadlocks which she wore to one of her chemo treatments.
An organizer so she can keep all her papers and medical claims seperate yet together.
We also started a Sunshine basket where everyone brought something little....cards..or anyhing inspirational or funny or feel good things so when she went to chemo or radiation or was ever feeling down she could open something.

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Lotions and body washes. Anything to make her feel special. I would also donate to the Susan G. Komen in her name. I recently lost a very dear co worker to breast cancer, and we did this for her. We also set up a team and made shirts with her name on them for the 3 day walk.

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I found that I liked to be reminded of things other than my cancer when I was going through it. My kids were still in elementary school, so that was pretty easy to be diverted by them, but a 50 yr old won't have that. I think uplifting movies would be a great thing. Don't get too fixated on the hospital part of things. I really only needed the PJ's for a couple of days. Instead, maybe you could get her a new pair of sneakers so you could go for short walks. Exercise was a great way to get my energy up. Also, Epsom Salts in the tub (once her incision heals) was fantastic for pulling toxins out of the body, plus it's cheap. Focus on her other interests instead of keeping her stuck in the "cancer victim/survivor" mode. Mostly, just keep in touch with her and share opinions about the rest of the world. When you deal with any serious illness, the world seems to shrink, and it's nice to have others remind you that you have a lot of life left. I can tell you are a great friend, and she's lucky to have you!

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When my mom's best friend had cancer surgery, the thing she appreciated the most was the cleaning service my mom arranged to clean her house for a couple months after surgery. She said it was so nice not to have to worry about cleaning dishes, floors, & clothes while recuperating. If you can't pay for someone to go in to clean, maybe you could arrange with some other friends to take turns helping out around her house.

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A friend of mine was 32 years old when she had her mastectomy. I got her a pair of those fuzzy socks, and I got me a pair. And I switched one of each. That way we each had one of each pair, and we matched. Kinda corny, but it was something personal. Plus it was practical and not expensive.

Write her a card telling her what she means to you and how strong of a woman she is. Remind her she is still a wonderful and beautiful women. She's not really interested in gifts right now I would bet, but surviving. Being her friend and being there for her is a biggie. Another thing I did right before her surgery, I took her picture. (with her permission of course) It will be a remind later of where she was, and where she is then. Again, another personal touch.

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If you aren't already, cook dinner for her and her family. Don't offer unwanted advice medically or otherwise. Be an ear and be a friend. Take a great chick flick and share it with her when she is home recuperating.

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I was 50 also when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a big surprise birthday party on the weekend and surgery on Monday, March 20, 1996. I am a 12 year survivor!
I got a lot of cards, flowers, gifts etc. Some of the most helpful things were:
Meals brought in, casseroles, etc. because you don't feel much like cooking but you need to eat low fat and nutritious.
A visitor would bring lunch by and stay and eat with me.
Offer to go with her to chemo and read, have fun,watch a movie.
Pray for her and her family, esp. a spouse if she is married, because they have a very hard time watching a loved one go through this.
I loved good music, Christian and classical so a new Cd might be nice.
Take for a drive, buy her a pretty scarf, she will go bald and make up helps put color, bold earrings, and scarves are fun.
Laughter is one of the best medicines and I received great books by Barbara Johnson, Patsy Clairmont, etc.
Someone mowed our lawn, did dishes, went grocery shopping, laundry, cleaned house, changed the sheets, swept off the front porch and walkway.
My insurance provided 2 bras, a wig and prosthesis and pays for these every 2 years. I am very lucky to have all the support I do.
You sound like a good friend and remember, this is temporary and she will get well.
V. B.

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My thoughts are with you and your friend. The house cleaning and food, especially if there is family to be fed, are great. If she needs radiation and or chemo an offer to drive her and sit with her would probably be appreciated.
Distraction level is pretty high so a calendar (filled in if possible) of things that need doing, doctor appointments, school events, etc. One of the little things that made me crazy was not being able to wash my hair! You could either come over and do it for her or take her to a beauty shop every few days. Best of luck!

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colorful head wraps... or you could get your/her friends to have their heads shaved in support of her upcoming chemo treatments...