What do you give a loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer?

When a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer it is important to shower them with love and support.  We also want to help in any way we can. Giving a cancer gift that enlightens, comforts and provides peace of mind can brighten their day. We have searched for many recovery gifts to carry that would fulfill this need and have found some that go well beyond the traditional get well gift of flowers and can actually help speed recovery and lift spirits.

Books that explain the recovery and healing process

Books can encourage you, make you laugh and offer valuable information in a time of need. Crazy Sexy Cancer is a great gift. In this book,  cancer patients and survivors share tips that helped them get through the difficult times during thier battle with cancer.  Author Kris Carr, a cancer survivor, will make you laugh as she shares tips to survive the journey with cancer.  

Calming music proven to help speed recovery

Soothing music can reduce the stress associated with an illness such as cancer. The Healing Journey is a CD filled with relaxing sounds that can bring a peace of mind to your loved one with cancer. The musician, Tami Brigss, played her music along the bedside of patients in the hospital and found it to help speed the recovery process.

Fashion and function can be the best recovery gifts--in the form of a Healing Threads hospital gown 

The Healing Threads garments make wonderful gifts for cancer patients. One of our customers called the garment their emotional protection. Wearing a garment that keeps your modesty while undergoing medical treaments is important. Having to wear a johnnie can make you look and feel sick; who wouldn't want to wear a hospital gown that looks stylish and is functional? The Healing Threads patient gowns provide pockets for drainage bags so you don't have to feel uncomfortable in public. 

Skin care products specially designed for cancer patients

We also found a skin care line that is made for cancer patients. The lotion, face wash and body wash is made for the most sensitive skin. When you have chemo or radiation the skin because extremely sensitive. Lindi Skin care will sooth and protect  their skin.

So, if you are looking for cancer gifts, Original Healing Threads has a variety of uplifting and thoughtful gift ideas. Our staff will wrap them in love using the beautiful gift packaging available on our gift page.

Share your ideas! What are some gifts you found to be uplifting during a loved ones journey with cancer?

Break-Away Pants are a prefect fit for recovery from knee or leg injuries.

Dressing is not easy especially while under going a surgical procedure. There is a way to dress comfortable, look stylish and be ready to go to Physical Therapy or any medical recovery setting. Original Healing Threads Break-Away Pants fit your recovery needs!

What Makes The Pants Unique?

Break-Away pants make it easy to dress around leg casts, bandages, boots and braces.  The hook and loop closures on the outside of each leg open and close to the  upper thigh. The material is made of soft micro fiber that is stain resistant. They are extremely comfortable to wear and provide easy access for medical professionals and caregivers. The leg can be examined while retaining patient dignity.

My very good friend Claire died last Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. On Sept. 24, 2008 she told me she was full of cancer. Before that date no one knew she was so sick. She had tumors in her pancreas, liver, and lung. No one knew what the primary site was. She did not want a biopsy to determine the primary. She did not want a PET scan to see if it had gone into her bones. She did not want an appointment with a top-rated oncologist of any kind at any medical establishment, top-rated or otherwise. Her desire was to live her last days having fun and laughing. When she told me that I knew she had no idea what she was in for, that the debilitation of her body would not allow her to have fun and laugh until it was “time”.

She did consent to go with me to get a second opinion. It was October 17, 2008, a week before she breathed her last. The second opinion confirmed what she already knew; the tumors were aggressive and inoperable. They wanted to do the biopsy and the PET scan and make an appt with a DFCI doc. She said no to it all. I took her home, gave her a hug, told her I loved her and that she could call me whenever she needed to. I spoke to her Saturday morning and Monday morning, each time ending the conversation with, “I love you” and she would say the same. I received an e-mail from her family on Thursday morning telling me that she was much worse and if I wanted to visit with her I should come right over. Of course I wanted to see her and I did go right over. I was able to spend about 80 minutes with her. She was pretty much comatose, but every once in awhile she would open her eyes and stare right at me. Each time I would stare back at her and say something funny, and I would laugh for us both.

She died the next morning, Friday, October 24, 2008 @ 9:00 AM. She died the way she wanted to, with her sons and husband at her side. The fast progression of the disease was unbelievable. None of us who knew her so well can believe she is gone.

Claire is a much loved person who touched many lives. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind, gentle, soft-spoken woman who loved to laugh and have a good time. We will also remember her as a wonderful business woman who ran a successful business for 30 years.  She carried her philosophy of life into her business, donating time, money, expertise, mentorship to many people of all ages.

Claire may be gone physically, but she will leave on in my heart and mind forever.

Have You Gone Through A Similar Experience?

I have now had the experience of losing someone I loved dearly. My sister Claire died after a 3 year battle with cancer. Now my friend Claire has died in a very short time. I wonder which way I would prefer to leave the planet? Slowly or quickly? Do you have an opinion or a similar experience? I would love to hear it.