Holiday Gift Suggestions for Mesothelioma Patients

When it comes to buying gifts for friends and family, it can get kind of tricky. This is especially true if you are giving a gift to someone undergoing cancer treatment.

As one who has survived mesothelioma, I’ve been on the receiving end of some well-meaning gifts that just didn’t hit the mark. But I also know how difficult it is to find just the right present. You see something you think someone will like and imagine their ecstatic reaction, only for them to have barely an ounce of enthusiasm for your gift.

Finding the Right Gift Can Be Difficult

True story: Years and years ago, my husband and I would buy everyone in my family a Christmas gift – from my grandparents and four aunts to my mom and my three siblings. It would warm my heart when they would open their gifts and I could see the smiles on their faces. Well, one year it didn’t go so well for one particular person – my mom.

All throughout the year she talked about the new Jeff Foxworthy book of jokes. Every time we saw her she had to tell us a joke from the book that her coworker shared with her. So, when Christmas came around, it was a no-brainer when it came to getting her gift.

I searched high and low for that book. I wrapped it up nicely and placed a shiny bow on top. When it came time to give out presents I handed all my aunts their Victoria’s Secret bags with smell goods and then handed my mom her gift.

She looked at me kind of puzzled, not knowing what was wrapped in that small, square shape. She opened it and the look on her face said it all. My aunts were all smelling their perfumes and my mom said, “A book?!” I really didn’t know how to respond but to remind her how often she mentioned that book.

My family still talks about that day, even though now they see it as a joke. It was funny because she thought I bought her some perfume, too!

It’s the Thought that Counts, Right?

“It’s the thought that counts” is something I say all the time. Sometimes we get our hearts set on the gifts instead of the thought behind them. It’s the mere fact that someone thought enough to get you a gift that should be enough.

When you’re thinking of giving someone who is battling mesothelioma a gift, think more about how it will promote self-care. Choose something that will put a smile on their face.

During my journey with peritoneal mesothelioma, I got a lot of gifts – some that I liked and some that I didn’t like. One gift I received I still have almost 15 years later. It’s a Willow Tree Angel of Healing sculpted hand-painted figure. For me it was the thought behind it and the meaning behind the gift. Every time I looked at that angel I spoke my healing.

On the other hand, a not-so-good gift I received were some bad-smelling candles. I like candles, but the scent made me sick to my stomach.  When you’re going through treatment your senses and body are very sensitive to a lot of things.

Think Before You Buy

Here are some things you should consider before giving a gift to someone who is going through cancer treatment.

It can feel challenging to take all aspects of cancer and treatment into account when gift giving, but keeping in mind some basic guidelines can help. Could it irritate someone’s skin? Is there a scent that may not appeal to them? Does it require them to be somewhere they may not be able to go if they’re trying to isolate while immunocompromised? If the answer is yes, finding something more neutral and that they can enjoy at home might bring them more comfort.

10 Gift Suggestions

Now that I have explained what to avoid, here’s a list of great presents to give to a cancer patient. The key is to think about what could bring someone undergoing treatment for cancer som comfort, such as comfortable items like warm socks.

I’m sure there are hundreds more things that would make the good gift list. There’s so much going on in a cancer patient’s world that just letting them know you’re thinking of them will make a world of difference!