“How can I help?” is likely the first question on the minds of family and friends of a person who is diagnosed with cancer. They all want to make the situation better, but they don’t know how to go about it.
While you may not change the diagnosis of your loved one, there are steps you can take to ensure the treatment process is bearable, especially if chemotherapy is involved. Yes, cancer treatments tend to be long, tiring and downright uncomfortable. Sending or visiting with cancer care packages will show your care, understanding, support and empathy on a higher level.
Cancer Care Package Content Ideas
Every patient’s treatment journey is unique. However, there are several shared experiences they all undergo. Below is a list of what you should include in a care package to boost your loved one’s spirit and comfort.
As you go back and forth on what to include in a care package, you should take the liberty of consulting with your loved one’s doctor to ensure the items included in the package are safe to consume and use. Consider these six ideas to start.
1. Socks and Warm Blankets
Hospitals and clinics that conduct chemotherapy are usually cold and chilly. As such, warm socks and blankets go a long way in ensuring the patient is warm and comfortable. Additionally, the blankets will provide a feeling of safety.
2. Lip Balm and Moisturizers
During cancer treatment, painful and dry lips and skin are a common side effect of the drugs administered. Gentle lip balms and skin moisturizers help relieve the pain associated with dry skin, rashes and sores. When putting together cancer care packages, you should avoid products with strong scents, as they could be nauseating or irritating to patients.
3. Salon Gift Cards and Headwear
Most cancer patients undergoing treatment lose their hair, which often leads to both emotional and physical discomfort. The best way of showing a cancer patient you care is to give them a salon gift card, so they can have a wig fitted or receive several beauty treatments. Headscarves are thoughtful gifts, too. They provide security and warmth for patients who are losing their hair. For men, a warm beanie works just as well.
4. Water and Snacks
These two items can serve numerous purposes. Snacks like fruit and candy help pass the time during chemotherapy treatments. They can also help in counteract metal mouth and dry mouth, which are common side effects of cancer treatments.
Dryness often leads to headaches. As such, it’s important for patients to drink lots of water and other fluids like herbal and decaffeinated teas, which also work to provide comfort and relief.
5. Entertainment
Cancer treatments are grueling and long. Having a good movie, TV show or book will help pass the time. Before throwing any of these items into the package, you should learn what the patient prefers best. Consider e-books, a video subscription, streaming service, crosswords or a magazine.
6. Inspiration
Individuals battling cancer need to stay positive — it’s essential for their physical health. Inspirational quotes, books or just a thoughtful note will go a long way to lift a patient’s spirit and build strength.
Contact Dr. Mark Fraiman to Learn More About How Care Packages Help Cancer Patients
There’s no doubt cancer can prove to be a scary experience, and no one should go through it alone. Care packages help cancer patients by increasing their comfort and perhaps even putting a smile on their face.
Get in touch with our office and book an appointment with Dr. Mark Fraiman to learn more about cancer care packages. Understandably, this is a difficult time for both you and your loved one. Dr. Mark Fraiman will help you put things into perspective and improve the treatment process for everyone.
To learn more about other procedures offered, such as liver resections, Whipple procedures, and pancreatic cancer surgery, call 410-427-2024 to reach Dr. Fraiman.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Fraiman on May 11, 2018.
