Gifts for the Cancer Patient

The countdown is on! December holidays are only weeks away, and the shopping frenzy has begun for most of us. Given that 1 in 2 American men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes it is not a stretch to assume that most of you have a friend or loved-one who is currently in treatment for cancer.

Before you start making your gift list, ask a few questions. Cancer patients can suffer from a number of strange and complex side-effects, depending on their diagnosis and treatment choices. Rather than try to cover all the possibilities for all the different types of cancer and treatments, we'll just suggest that you talk to your friend or loved-one's caregivers or family and in addition to asking about their favorite colors, you should ask the following questions:

Is the patient able to eat and swallow normally? A gift of fruit or baked goods would be a wonderful idea for many cancer patients, but those who are having trouble eating and swallowing because of radiation or surgery would probably not enjoy it as much as others. A good alternative would be gift certificates for a favorite frozen yogurt or ice cream shop. Not only are they easier to ingest, they also provide calories which many with eating challenges need in order to maintain their weight.

Is the patient experiencing any aversions to certain scents and smells? Some patients develop aversions to particular odors during treatment, making it hard to wear cologne and scented lotions or to have scented candles burning. Along the same lines, if you are thinking of making a meal or baking for the patient, it might be better to do so somewhere other than their own home.

How is the patient's cognitive ability? An assortment of books and puzzles are welcomed by many people who spend a lot of time in bed during an illness, but some cancer patients suffer from cognitive challenges due to radiation and even from chemotherapy treatments. These issues can turn things that were enjoyed before their treatment into new sources of frustration. CDs, iTunes gift cards or favorite movies on DVD may be a better choice.

For many cancer patients, what they really need is time and energy. The following ideas will provide one or the other - or both! - and certainly be meaningful for both of you. (Some even involve not making a purchase!)

Help them prepare for the holidays. Offer to help your friend address holiday cards, wrap gifts, run errands, or clean and prepare their home for holiday guests. Remember the hint we gave about odor-tolerance, and ask if there are certain cleaners that are better to use than others. Don't think you have to do it all yourself. You might be able to enlist your church's youth group or a local scout troop to help with some yard clean up, or to stop by and sing carols one evening.

Of course, some of us may have more money than time, so if you don't have the time to spend cleaning or running errands yourself, look for a local business that provides the services instead. Schedule a local company to come in and clean for your friend (maybe while you take them to a movie?) or order a holiday meal or some yummy desserts from a local caterer. Don't forget, little things can mean a lot: A drive through local neighborhoods to find holiday light displays could be a real treat for the patient who isn't able to get out in public often due to their treatments.

Provide a relaxing respite from their treatments. Studies have found that regular focus on relaxation techniques can be beneficial for cancer patients and survivors (and probably all of the rest of us!). Providing a gift certificate for a therapeutic massage, or some free Yoga classes might be exactly what your loved-one needs. Be sure to ask before you buy to see if the facility provides any classes specifically for people dealing with illness. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, there are massage therapists available to patients at Highlands Oncology Clinics in Fayetteville and Rogers.

Finally, if you are looking for a way to benefit many cancer patients this holiday season, consider making a memorial or honorarium gift. Memorials are a wonderful way to remember someone special while giving to others who need assistance during their time of need. Honorariums can be noted so that your loved-one receives a note stating that you gave a gift in their honor. More information on giving to Hope Cancer Resources is located on our website or by calling us at 479-361-5847.