FabSwingers.com forum: Gifts for a man going through chemo

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I cannot provide practical help as I live far from my friend but I would like to put together a useful bag of bits and pieces for him.

His treatment is completely non surgical so no overnight hospital stays but will be at all day chemo sessions.

I'd really like it if men who have been through chemo can pass on what they would have found helpful at the time. PMs will be treated with upmost confidentiality.

So far I have ginger biscuits and ginger tea (for nausea), an adult swear word colouring book and pens (for some humour and something to do), a USB power bar (for keeping a charge in phone and tablet).

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

And I know this is a most unusual post for the forums but it is the biggest amount of men I can message in one go!

Nothing against ladies going through chemo. I think they are easier to buy for but u dont seem to get so much advice online about men and treatment.

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

When I was laid up last year in hospital my friend brought me a care package for my release.

It was a bag of all the things I love from Hop House 13 to books sweets and PlayStation games. Along with some nice aftershave.

It really cheered me up it was so thoughtful.

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By *asmeenTV/TS
over a year ago

STOKE ON TRENT

Nice aftershave xx or some good books x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"When I was laid up last year in hospital my friend brought me a care package for my release.

It was a bag of all the things I love from Hop House 13 to books sweets and PlayStation games. Along with some nice aftershave.

It really cheered me up it was so thoughtful. "

Sounds a very apt pressie x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Nice aftershave xx or some good books x"

Thank you

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By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

Lush shower gel?

Something that won't irritate

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By *asmeenTV/TS
over a year ago

STOKE ON TRENT

"Nice aftershave xx or some good books x

Thank you"
xxx

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

Address the symptoms (like with nausea)? I'm not too familiar I'm afraid.

Maybe audio books or similar, concentration might be thrown. Something to help with the fact that housework etc will be harder?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Address the symptoms (like with nausea)? I'm not too familiar I'm afraid.

Maybe audio books or similar, concentration might be thrown. Something to help with the fact that housework etc will be harder? "

Yes I'm looking for practical things that make life easier when going through chemo specifically rather than get well soon gifts. He has loads of family and friends round him for the care stuff fortunately.

Audio books are a good shout. Thank you

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Lush shower gel?

Something that won't irritate"

Thank you x

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By *wisted999Man
over a year ago

North Bucks

My friend always used to have a horrendous taste in her mouth going through chemo. So perhaps loads of tasty sweets etc

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Boiled sweets and audio books

And lots of smelly things somthing to make him feel good with no effort at all books are an effort audio isn’t at all

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"My friend always used to have a horrendous taste in her mouth going through chemo. So perhaps loads of tasty sweets etc "

Useful to know.... thank you xxx

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Boiled sweets and audio books

And lots of smelly things somthing to make him feel good with no effort at all books are an effort audio isn’t at all "

Thank you x

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By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

Recommend Aussie man reviews on YouTube

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By *ibblingnewtWoman
over a year ago

by the sea

Books if he is a reader

Coffee table books if he’s no I love beautiful photography

Little eats and naughty goodies

If it’s a fab member a filthy sex book

A fab kinkster a kinky book

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By *ibblingnewtWoman
over a year ago

by the sea

"Lush shower gel?

Something that won't irritate"

Yes lush everything works well

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By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

"Lush shower gel?

Something that won't irritate

Thank you x"

And the bonus is ..you get to go to lush lol

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

Perhaps a few man magazines that he can flick through.

I think it’s a lovely and thoughtful thing to do OP.

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By *harliebbwWoman
over a year ago

Birmingham

My nephew said the best thing he was given was a good old fashioned set of cards. Would play with other "inmates" he put it. And visitors or alone. That real tea as hospital is crap

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By *ea monkeyMan
over a year ago

Manchester (he/him)

I don't really have much to add to the things already mentioned; things to help address symptoms, discomfort, boredom and to help him feel normal and human again are all great ideas.

I will add that it's a lovely sentiment and very thoughtful OP.

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By *naswingdressWoman
over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"My nephew said the best thing he was given was a good old fashioned set of cards. Would play with other "inmates" he put it. And visitors or alone. That real tea as hospital is crap "

Oh god yes. I can't speak to cancer, but when I've been in hospital, I nearly wept when people brought me real coffee.

I also liked herbal teabags so I could have a non caffeinated hot drink in the evening.

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

When T was having his chemo I made sure he had hand cream, lip balm & suncream. Pineapple is good for mouth ulcers & he should go see his dentist for Colgate Duraphat toothpaste xx

J x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"When T was having his chemo I made sure he had hand cream, lip balm & suncream. Pineapple is good for mouth ulcers & he should go see his dentist for Colgate Duraphat toothpaste xx

J x"

Thank you so much...that's really useful to know xxx

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Perhaps a few man magazines that he can flick through.

I think it’s a lovely and thoughtful thing to do OP. "

I'll do that... thanks

I feel powerless being far away so I want to be able to do something for him

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Nothing to add, just love and best wishes x

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

"When T was having his chemo I made sure he had hand cream, lip balm & suncream. Pineapple is good for mouth ulcers & he should go see his dentist for Colgate Duraphat toothpaste xx

J x

Thank you so much...that's really useful to know xxx"

They will feel pretty rubbish & very tired a day or so after treatment for a few days. Their appetite will probably disappear too. Sometimes just being on the end of the phone especially FaceTime is all they need xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Nothing to add, just love and best wishes x

Thank you xx

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By *inkysexpotMan
over a year ago

leeds

You know him best OP so something that will make him smile and also something personal that will help him think of yourself too

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"You know him best OP so something that will make him smile and also something personal that will help him think of yourself too"

It's actually gifts to make treatment and time in treatment easier I'm really looking for. The stuff people dont think of until they have been through it or known someone with it.

For example I didnt know about the bad taste/sore mouth until someone mentioned it. Or how dry your skin can get.

I've had some great suggestions and ideas from here and via PM.

He starts treatment end of next week so gives me time to get bits together

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By *ibblingnewtWoman
over a year ago

by the sea

Think this is the loveliest post I’ve seen btw

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By *ickygirl41Woman
over a year ago

Glasgow

"Think this is the loveliest post I’ve seen btw

Ditto

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By *izzy.Woman
over a year ago

Stoke area

As an ex nurse, I agree with Gin Palace regards the hand cream, gentle moisturiser, lollipops , boiled sweets, mints. I found tictacs helpful when I had high dose steroids, that also affects taste. Pineapple chunks....you can put pineapple juice into ice cube trays to suck on.

Hand massage or foot massage is lovely if they have someone near who could do this, so some massage oils. Check what is safe to use during chemo.

Maybe wet wipes, tissues, audio books, a regular newsy handwritten letter by post is another idea. Something personal showing someone took time out for them is a winner.

Lovely idea that you are there to support them. Sending my best wishes to your friend and his family. Xx

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thank u all especially the lovely comments. I would move heaven and earth to help him if I could so doing this seems so futile but I hope it helps him along x

Thank you for all the practical ideas...posted and pmd. It really has helped me get my thoughts in order and get shopping. Felt so helpless when I posted x

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"As an ex nurse, I agree with Gin Palace regards the hand cream, gentle moisturiser, lollipops , boiled sweets, mints. I found tictacs helpful when I had high dose steroids, that also affects taste. Pineapple chunks....you can put pineapple juice into ice cube trays to suck on.

Hand massage or foot massage is lovely if they have someone near who could do this, so some massage oils. Check what is safe to use during chemo.

Maybe wet wipes, tissues, audio books, a regular newsy handwritten letter by post is another idea. Something personal showing someone took time out for them is a winner.

Lovely idea that you are there to support them. Sending my best wishes to your friend and his family. Xx

Thank you so so much for that xx

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By *ools and the brainCouple
over a year ago

couple, us we him her.

Find out if he has a favourite celebrity see if they have an autobiography out for reading.

Maybe something really silly like a book of card tricks to learn.

Nice sentiment op I'm sure he feels the love xx

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By *om and JennieCouple
over a year ago

Chams or Socials

"Find out if he has a favourite celebrity see if they have an autobiography out for reading.

Maybe something really silly like a book of card tricks to learn.

Nice sentiment op I'm sure he feels the love xx"

Just a thought - something i’ve just done for a friend’s 50th Birthday - I contacted her favourite

motorbike racers & asked if they would send a card to her or if I sent a card with an addressed & stamped envelope if they would write in it & post it on. 6 agreed & she loved it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

One of my friends is going through Chemo at the moment. I got him a sudoku book as he’s into that.

He also likes to see pretty photos, so I did an album of these which he enjoys looking though.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Some folks find the sessions of chemo make them feel cold inside and out - so a warm, fleecy soft cuddly blankie or light sweater would be handy as a 'cover-up'.

There's a cancer charity here in Cork that organise local crafty folks to make blankies for this reason. Something around 40 inches square is enough as a lap-blanket or a shrug.

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