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Cancer Care Package/Comfort Guide

Whether it’s for you, or a friend, there are items that can help you manage the cancer treatment experience (pre and post side effects) anytime of the year. These items are tried, tested and practical, and it’s the ideal time to take advantage of Black Friday deals.

I’m using the Four Cornerstones of Health (which give you the most value for your effort) to organize the naturopathic and patient-approved ideas:

• Diet
  Don’t we all have a range of chefs and foragers in our circles? We can all benefit from the immune and energy boost whole, fresh foods give us. Food is very personal, so if you know someone likes a harvest box of seasonal produce, sea salt caramels, or a peppermint hot chocolate, a holiday treat with a friend is extra special. For people in treatment, Grocery gift cards or HelloFresh (make at home) or Thistle (fresh to your door) allow personal choice and convenience. Your sous chefs may enjoy a new cookbook or kitchen item for baking their favorite seasonal deliciousness. A clear teapot with loose leaf tea. A spoonful of comfort sends loved ones soup!

• Exercise/Activity
  Gifting yourself a gym membership or indoor exercise equipment (if you’ll use it) will truly improve your health. For yourself or others, fitness gifts might include a FitBit (or other tracker, to watch patterns), workout clothes, a custom yoga mat, a home-made book of walking date coupons (Bloedel solstice walk or Arboretum solstice walk anyone?), or a family outing to ski, skate or snow play. A fun Aloha tote that has durable/water repellent fabric.

• Sleep
  Our body recovers and recharges while we sleep, so anything we can do to average 8 hours a night IS a gift! A recent study showed the value of eye masks for cognitive longevity, and there are calming lavender sprays and diffusing oils, along with soothing white noise or music, that can help you fall and stay asleep. A splurge might be high thread count sleep or a cooling pillow (or heating pad), or one of those adorable weighted “warmies”.or weighted stuffed animals.

• Stress Reduction
  Meditation apps/timers, yoga or tai chi classes can help with stress. Loose leaf tea can be relaxing (and delicious). A bath with epsom salt (so many scents) or a fun bath bomb can be soothing. As well as reading (a new book or magazine) with a seasonally scented candle. Pre-made care packages abound. Try something like a big hug, warm comfort or for the plant lover. Emily McDowell Studio has cancer and empathy-labeled items. You can count on Oh You’re So Tough Cancer to say the truth and make you laugh. And how dear would a Shutterfly photo collage fleece blanket ($30 on sale) be? And if you are worried about flu vs COVID symptoms, there’s a new combined test (just in time for the holidays).

• Side Effects
  You are not alone in experiencing side effects from cancer treatment. Hope these orducts bring relief and healing. Thanks to some of our professional friends who provided discounts!
  • Skin: Camwell makes the best products for cracked and dry skin. Our friends at Camwell say to use Doctor25 for a 25% discount. My favorite organic skin care is Eminence (they have holiday sets on sale).
  • Mouth: Xylamelts, ACT moisture gum, all-day spray and ThroatCalm are worth trying for moisture.
  • Eyes: A day/night combo of Lumify eye drops or Refresh Optive Advanced and Systane overnight gel and Good Molecules caffeine eye patches, will rejuvenate the driest of eyes.
  • Nausea: Aromatherapy inhalers or roll-ons, StomachSettle lozenges, SeaBand acupressure band, or NauseaCalm.
  • Intimacy: Women experience a lot of dryness, and menopause can mess with libido (see my summer blog about this topics for other product suggestions). Use the code LAURAJ10$ for a 10%discount from our friends at Wink!Wink! Boutique.
  • Aches and Pain: heating pad, massage mat, or ColPac ice packs and lidocaine patches. Many Theragun massagers are on sale, or try the R1 percussion option: heavenly relief! A fun patterned seat belt pillow can provide a lot of comfort. New research shows the value of VR for chronic pain: test out a headset!
  • For Appointments: a portable charger really comes in handy for car rides and time at a clinic/hospital. This one has a kick stand for hands-free watching. Reader’s Digest Laughter is the Best Medicine book will have you laughing out loud.

• Try these other gift guides for ideas…
  • BeWell’s 20 Thoughtful Gifts for those with a Chronic Illness
  • Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients: 14 survivors share their favorites
  • Balm Box offer treatment-specific care packages
  • Boxed By An Angel (curated cancer care packages)
  • 12 of the best gifts to include in a chemo care package
  • Stress Relief Gift Guide

And take a peek at the Holiday Gift Guide, too!

Happy Holidays!