A Soft Gentle Gift For Her Sore Body
Since bruising and swelling is common after mastectomy surgery, a comforting gift idea for her is a Super Soft Borrego Plush Throw Blanket perhaps with a good pillow. Shes healing from a traumatic surgery, and needs all the comfort and pampering she can get.
After a mastectomy oncologists recommend icepacks to decrease discomfort and swelling particularly to the armpit after a lymph node dissection. A small pillow for her neck or armpit area may decrease discomfort and help her heal. This is one of those breast cancer gifts that shell love using after she recovers.
Read How to Sleep After Breast Cancer Surgery for ideas for gifts to help women recover after a single or double mastectomy.
Well Wishes For Breast Cancer Patients
Messages for Breast Cancer Patients: Receiving the news of a close friend, family or colleague getting diagnosed with breast cancer is a dreadful moment for everyone. There are few ways to directly assist cancer patients through their agonizing days of treatment and recovery, but a sweet, hopeful message for breast cancer patients may help them gain a positive outlook about their condition. Nonetheless, it can be hard to come up with the appropriate words to express your support to a person whos in constant pain and struggling with breast cancer. So, you can check the compilation below to find a sensible, positive note for a breast cancer fighter!
The Healing Gift Of Sleep After Mastectomy Surgery
Chanasyas 5-Piece Warm Hugs Positive Energy Healing Thoughts Comfort Caring Message Gift Pack includes a Throw Blanket, Neck Pillow, Eye Mask, Tote Bag, and Socks for women in the hospital and at home. Youll literally surround your breast cancer survivor with warmth, positive energy, healing thoughts, comfort and care with this gift.
An even more helpful gift of sleep is the Cushy Form Bed Wedge Pillow for patients recovery from surgery. This pillow isnt specifically designed to help breast cancer patients sleep after surgery. But, it improves body alignment and supports the upper back and shoulders. It eases back and neck pain which mastectomy patients will feel and assists eases breathing, snoring, GERD and acid reflux issues.
Mastectomy patients have tubes down their throats during the mastectomy surgery. This often causes a sore throat for a few days after surgery, so shell really appreciate throat lozenges to soothe her throat and magazines to read while recovering.
Items such as honey lozenges and dry shampoo may not seem like good gifts for mastectomy patients, but you have to remember how expensive those things can be. Pre and post surgery costs add up fast, which is why the practical breast cancer gifts are so helpful.
Also Check: Don Harrington Breast Cancer Center
Offer A Listening Ear
If youre wondering how to support someone with breast cancer, one of the most important things you can do is to offer a listening ear. The emotional trials that your loved one is going through are intense. Often, women who have a breast cancer diagnosis will internalize their fears and anxieties as a way to protect their family and friends. Let your loved one know that its okay to talk about how they feel, what they want, and the decisions theyre faced with. While advice is often asked for, sometimes just listening is one of the best things we can do to show our support.
Leave A Message After The Tone
People say, “Oh, I didnt know if I should call or bother you. I thought maybe you were sleeping,” but I want to be bothered, says Steele. And If I don’t want to talk, I’ll leave the machine on. In fact, if the phone keeps ringing but the patient is too tired to respond, I tell them to put a message on their machine, says social worker Maureen Broderick. “The patient or a family member could say, ‘Anne’s having her chemo right now, but she appreciates all of your good wishes. Please know that she can’t respond right now.'” If you’re a friend and you get that message, you can leave an answer saying, “I’m going to send you my email and would love to hear from you any time you have the energy,” Broderick says. “That way you’re keeping in touch and letting the breast cancer survivor respond on her own terms.”
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The Gift Of Easy Comfortable Travel From Hospital To Home
The Breast and Chest Buddy Seatbelt Cushion for Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Sites answers the how do I put on my seatbelt after a mastectomy? question. Its one of those breast cancer gifts youd never think of giving unless youve had surgery. This gift cushions and protects her chest area from the seatbelt.
A ride home after major breast cancer surgery can be unbearable, because the seatbelt often irritates stitches and tender areas. If shes traveling a long way, shell need to be as comfortable as possible. I needed one of these after my shoulder surgeries, which I wrote about in Prayers for Healing and Recovery After Surgery.
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Medically Reviewed by: Dr. BautistaUpdated on: November 12, 2019
Whether youre loved one was recently diagnosed, is undergoing treatment, or is on the road to recovery you might be wondering how to support someone with breast cancer.
Regardless of whether someone is pursuing a traditional or a natural treatment for breast cancer, the emotional and physical trials that come along with a diagnosis are widespread. However, because each patients reaction to their diagnosis may be different it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly how to help and what to do.
From writing a card to offering a listening ear, weve compiled 10 ways of how to support someone with breast cancer. However you choose to show your support, know that if it comes from the heart it will always help.
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A Womans Robe For Healing After A Single Or Double Mastectomy
The Surgical Recovery Robe with Internal Pockets for Post-Operative Drain Holder and Breast Cancer/Mastectomy Recovery isnt the most beautiful breast cancer gift on this list, but shell need at least one. Even the smallest movements after breast cancer surgery are painful loose, soft, comfortable clothing is the most comfortable gift you can give.
The robe pockets conceal and support post-operative fluid drains its stylishly designed for wear before, during and after a mastectomy or breast cancer surgery. This gift also looks and feels great with a cozy pair of leggings. Its scary to be diagnosed with breast cancer remember when they used to call it the C word? Its painful and terrifying to surgery. Put those both together, and youve got more fear and anxiety than any woman should have to face. The fact that you are searching for comforting gift ideas for someone who has cancer shows that you care. You want to be part of the healing process. When you give her your gift, tell her that.
The best idea may be to give her something practical and something inspirational . However, it depends on how shes dealing with the diagnosis and surgery. Ideas such as a water pitcher infused with fresh fruit or a juicer are good because they help her heal and because the whole family can use them.
An App For Guided Meditation
Monejo says her mother bought her a subscription to the guided meditation app Headspace, which she uses regularly. I’m definitely noticing the benefits of mindfulness, she says. It’s even got a cancer pack that I listen to daily as the founder went through the illness himself.
You can purchase a Headspace subscription for $12.99/month at Headspace.com.
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Acknowledge The Grieving Process
The diagnosis of breast cancer for a woman attacks her very femininity and many of the treatment options continue in this attack. It is normal to go through a grieving process related to the feeling of this loss of femininity. Be supportive by listening to her anger, fear, and uncertainty and dont be afraid to hug her and touch her.
Breast Cancer: Words Of Inspiration
“When we embrace uncertainty, it can be very liberating. If you can accept the uncertainty, it allows you to live life every day.”
Victor Gospodinoff
For many who are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, hearing from others who’ve been through one already can be a great source of comfort and support. Find inspiration and hope in these words of wisdom from breast cancer survivors, caregivers, researchers and doctors.
The American Cancer Society has events, programs and services to help people connect, and give each other the practical and emotional support they need.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is our signature event to honor breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about the disease, and help save lives. More than 270 events take place in local communities every year.
In our Reach to Recovery program, volunteers who are themselves breast cancer survivors provide education and emotional support to people facing a breast cancer diagnosis or treatment.
Share your cancer experiences with people who understand in one of our online communities.
For round-the-clock assistance, our National Cancer Information Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with Cancer Information Specialists ready to answer questions and help you find local resources Call 1-800-227-2345 or email us any time.
~ Mary, breast cancer survivor
~ Rita Gore, breast cancer survivor
~ Brenda, breast cancer survivorFrom What Helped Get Me Through
~ David, breast cancer survivor
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Health & Wellnessthe Secret Truth That Breast Cancer Taught Me About Being A Mom
Gerhard said that her own cancer diagnosis almost “gave the opportunity” to develop more confidence in herself.
” helped me let go of the inner critic, and I learned to have more confidence in my voice, my story, and not let my insecurities and fear run the show,” Gerhard said. “I thought I knew what I wanted out of life, and then I went through all that treatment, and I had to adjust and redefine my story and my identity, and now I’ve chosen to just live life on my own terms, whatever the future holds.”
Gerhard isn’t the only one who was able to grow during her breast cancer journey.
Research On Massage In People With Breast Cancer And Other Types Of Cancer
Studies have shown that massage seems to offer both physical and emotional benefits for women with breast cancer.
A 2003 study at the University of Minnesota compared the effects of massage healing touch with the caring presence of a doctor or nurse in 230 people who had cancer. In this study, researchers found that, while both healing touch and massage lowered anxiety and pain, massage also reduced the need for pain medicine.
In a 5-week study at the University of Miami in 2003, massage therapy and progressive muscle relaxation therapy were compared in 58 women with stage I and II breast cancer. Both groups reported feeling less anxious, and the massage group also reported feeling less depressed. The massage group also showed increased levels of a brain chemical called dopamine, which helps produce a feeling of well-being. In addition, for the massage group, there was an increase in protective white blood cells that help boost the immune system from the first to the last day of the study.
There is no evidence that massage can cause an existing cancer to spread.
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The Gift Of Being Invited And Included
Today I texted a friend who will soon be undergoing double mastectomy surgery, and asked if she wanted to walk with me and my dogs. I havent see her for over two months because of her chemotherapy treatments. After the mastectomy surgery, she will be encouraged to get up and out of bed to take small walks. A healing breast cancer gift idea for her or any woman healing from a mastectomy are regular, consistent text or email invitations for short walks. Walking can be restarted right after a double or single mastectomy, and she may need a friend to walk with.
For more tips on supporting a patient after breast cancer and mastectomy surgery, read How to Help a Friend Whose Mom Has Cancer.
Feeling A Little Uncertain About How To Respond When Your Best Friend Your Aunt Or A Colleague At Work Tells You She’s Been Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
by Patient Expert
“Oh, my mom had breast cancer. She died. What a horrible experience”
“I had a friend who did chemo, and it was the worst thing that ever happened to her”
And there you have it, folks, two of the WORST things you can say to a woman who’s just been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Feeling a little uncertain about how to respond when your best friend, your aunt, or a colleague at work tells you she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer? OK, hopefully you won’t blurt out variations on either of the two statements above. But sometimes things come out of your mouth before you can even think”
What do you say when you’re face to face with a newly diagnosed survivor – and what do you absolutely, positively leave unsaid? This handy guide may help you avoid one of those unhappy “WHY did I say that?!” situations.
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The Gift Of Feeling Clean Pampered And Beautiful
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk works well for patients who cant get their incisions wet after surgery. Since breast cancer patients arent able to shower until after the drain is out, they need something to keep them feeling fresh and clean. Dry shampoo with oat milk is gentle and soft.
Avenes Hypersensitive Skin Regimen Kit for Sensitive and Irritated Skin contains gentle, mild skin care products. After surgery, her skin will be tender and achey. This is one of those breast cancer gifts that will ease the pain, whether shes had a double mastectomy or just a simple procedure. These essential products are formulated to calm irritation and protect the skin barrier. Each kit contains extremely gentle cleanser lotion to gently clean without stripping the skin, avène thermal spring water to soothe and calm discomfort, and 100 percent sterile skin recovery cream to hydrate and rebalance.
Gift Card To Clothing Store
Your friends clothing size may have changed after going through cancer treatment. Purchase a gift card to the mall or their favorite clothing store to help them restock their wardrobe.
Even if their size didnt change, your friend might feel energized to try different styles after going through cancer treatment.
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Follow His Or Her Breast Cancer Page
A great way to help a breast cancer patient is to visit their page on a site like Mylifeline.org,Caringbridge.org, Lotsahelpinghands.com, or Carepages.com . Such sites let people build private or public communities where patient updates and schedules can be shared, says Broderick. People can ask for and get the kind of help they really want and need. Survivor Anne Steele, 51, Hermosa Beach, California, who had
chemo, a lumpectomy, and radiation, for example, liked having companions with her during chemo while Victoria Irwin, who spent her chemo time in solitary pursuits like reading, preferred to save friends’ graciousness for another time.
An Itunes Gift Card So They Can Download Freely
Chemo sessions can be long and, while theres often a TV available, that only goes so far, Dr. Saria says. He recommends getting a patient an iTunes gift card so they can pick out music, podcasts, or downloadable books to help them pass the time.
You can purchase a gift card for various amounts at itunes.com.
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Other Care Package Ideas To Consider
Besides purchasing a physical gift, you may consider checking on which streaming entertainment services your friend has available. Your friend may want to binge-watch some of their favorite shows while waiting for their radiation appointment or while healing at home.
More than anything else, make sure you are there for your friend emotionally. Fighting cancer is hard on the body, but your friend will experience new emotions. Be their sounding board. Let them share their thoughts and feelings with you without passing judgment.
If you’re looking for other ways to support a friend during cancer, read our lists on the best books on cancer and what not to say to a friend with cancer.
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Genuinely Helpful Gifts To Get Someone Going Through Chemotherapy
Cancer can be terrifying, exhausting, and isolatingand so can chemotherapy. So, if you have a loved one who is going through chemo, its understandable that youd want to do everything you can to help them through the process. While simply being there is crucial, you may be searching for other ways to help, from running their errands to buying them somethinganythingthat will make life easier right now.
When you’re going through this, the support and little gestures from your friends and family really do mean the world to you, Tatei Montejo, a London-based life coach who has ovarian cancer, tells SELF. Susan Rafte, a breast cancer survivor and volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center, agrees. Theres so much going on in a patients world that its nice to let them know youre thinking of them, she tells SELF.
Of course, everyone is different and you know your loved one best. That said, if youre looking for something practical, people who have been through chemo and those with work with chemo patients swear these are great options:
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