Need help to cheer up a sick friend!

Wafaa79

Hello everyone,
I have a friend who has been fighting cancer for quite a few years now. She finds herself once again in the hospital with multiple issues and is quite weak.
She is German and lives in Bavaria.
I’d like to send her a “feel good” package and I am running out of ideas. I have sent her in the past books / DVDs, candle, stuff to decorate her room.
Sending food treats is not possible as she has a very limited diet due to her health problems.
Any ideas?
Please note that she speaks fluent English and can therefore read / watch movies in English too.
She is a very positive and brave person and I'd like to encourage her to keep it that way.
I’m looking for things that don’t take much room and that can be sent by post
Thanks in advance.
PS: She is 32

ABajaninCork

What a kind and thoughtful friend you are! Good friends are so hard to find...

I dunno though. Is she crafty (likes knitting/crochet/sewing)? If she is, maybe a kit she could make herself to occupy her? Candles are a great idea and do so much to lift the mood. A coffee table book showing Irish life and Irish scenery always looks nice.

Perhaps if you could tell us what her interests are, maybe we could help further. Sending best wishes to you and your friend!

lavinia hathaway

Hi Wafaa,
Sorry to hear about your friend and what she's going through. I send a lot of things abroad to my own friends so a few ideas would be a local newspaper so she can see what your area is like , some cd's, some squeeze balls for moments of utter rage and maybe some crystals or those angels. I know some people don't like them but they seem to bring some comfort to people. Most importantly, whatever you put in it, it's from you and that will mean everything.
Good luck and best wishes to your friend.

Wafaa79

Thanks for your answer!
Well she is not very crafty but I guess she could always start with something simple, at least whilst she cannot move around so much. She enjoys reading too. She likes reading / watching historical dramas (ie: "The Help", "To kill a mockingbird", etc) but is not into fantasy or sentimental stuff.

She studied economics and worked in that field for a few years till she got sick again. Since she has been off work, she has tutored kids and has been helping out a single dad with 4 kids when her health allows it. She really enjoys it and is looking to make a career out of it when she gets the chance.
So maybe there is something to look into in that field?

Sorry for any typo or awkward English, I'm French

Thanks

ABajaninCork

A boxed set of something like The Six Wives of Henry VIII (David Starkey) would make a great present.

lavinia hathaway

If she can't move around much at the moment, maybe a nice journal for her to write in or puzzle books. Also if she has kids visiting her, some jigsaws or sketch books. I know the kids here love the painting by numbers pictures. I have to say they can be quite therapeutic.

ABajaninCork

I've just thought of something else, OP. Would it be possible to get a Netflix or Amazon Prime sub for her for a month? Your friend can then watch what she wants, when she wants...

Wafaa79

That's a nice idea. Unfortunately, she doesn't have Internet at the clinic (which is where she is staying mainly lately).
I think the suggestions of something crafty and simple and the puzzle books are very good. It would be something new and won't request too much strengh.
Thanks a lot to you all!

Merkin

If she likes history and likes reading there's a great author by the name of Alison Weir who has written a gazillion historical books. They are usually biographical but written in a very engaging and light way, her style is very intimate and conversational and hugely entertaining. I love Tudor history so have got most of her books based around that time, if your friend is interested in this type of thing then The Six Wives of Henry VIII is a nice general one.

You sound lovely by the way I did this for a friend recently too and they appreciated it so much, it's lovely to receive a parcel, especially when it contains carefully thought out goodies!

Wafaa79

Thanks a lot!
I don't know this author and I will look her up.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII was also recommended by a previous poster. Must be a good one
Thanks

Obliq

Wafaa, that's a lovely thought and I know you'll cheer your friend up no end. My aunt is just recovering from a 6 month round of treatment, and one of her best friends (in another city) is still sending a funny/quirky card every week, with just one of his witty thoughts-for-the-day inside. She so looks forward to them.

One thing....does your friend have a kindle? My aunt found that really useful, as at one point even holding up a heavy book was a bit much for her. She would also only need to be online to download books, for a short period of time only, so might be a nice way to send her books too....

Wafaa79

Obliq wrote: »

One thing....does your friend have a kindle? My aunt found that really useful, as at one point even holding up a heavy book was a bit much for her. She would also only need to be online to download books, for a short period of time only, so might be a nice way to send her books too....

She doesn't have a kindle and I really like this idea, I could even upload books she'd like for her before sending on. Thanks for the suggestion.

Obliq

Wafaa79 wrote: »

She doesn't have a kindle and I really like this idea, I could even upload books she'd like for her before sending on. Thanks for the suggestion.

Excellent! My aunt loves her kindle. Never puts it down!

strandroad

Obliq wrote: »

Excellent! My aunt loves her kindle. Never puts it down!

+1 for the kindle, they are really handy. And it's a "growing gift" as she can get more books later. I believe you can gift them remotely to her kindle too...

Pat Mustard

You could send her a portable hard drive with films, 'boxed sets', music, and possibly photos on it. She or somebody else should be able to transfer those onto a laptop and/or phone/ipod and work away from there.

Maybe she needs a set of headphones.

A book light can be handy for people who like to read when the lights are out.

DoctorBoo

Have you thought about audio books? I find they are a really good way of "reading" when you aren't up to it (ie your eyes are sore, you're too tired to sit up). It can also be very relaxing listening to the reading on headphones.
Another idea would be to download podcasts from the radio to an mp3 player. There's a wide variety of documentaries, talks and shows on different topics available on just the RTE website.

CathyMoran

I was the same age as your friend when I was having chemo - I loved a particular show and my then husband to be (we married 2 weeks post chemo) and brother got me a portable DVD player and a box set of a series I liked. I really was not up to much though and the thing that kept me going was more doing something on the good days in between. I do not know if this helps much but I do know that her knowing that you are there for her means a lot.

Wafaa79

mhge wrote: »

+1 for the kindle, they are really handy. And it's a "growing gift" as she can get more books later. I believe you can gift them remotely to her kindle too...

I agree. I'mm addicted to my kindle too. I take it with me everywhere.

Wafaa79

DoctorBoo wrote: »

Have you thought about audio books? I find they are a really good way of "reading" when you aren't up to it (ie your eyes are sore, you're too tired to sit up). It can also be very relaxing listening to the reading on headphones.
Another idea would be to download podcasts from the radio to an mp3 player. There's a wide variety of documentaries, talks and shows on different topics available on just the RTE website.

This is also a great idea. Plus an mp3 player really doesn't take much room.
Thanks!

_Whimsical_

I read a lovely book recently she would probably like. It's called The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. It's similar to The Help, very easy read, a real page turner and while it's a novel it's heavily influenced by historical events and the real letters of the main character.
I have been quite sick lately and I found this book was one of the few that kept my attention and gave me a good burst of excitement everytime I took it up, even if I only had the energy for little reading.

Audiobooks are fantastic too when you're sick, I second that suggestion.

I wonder if you could give her a voucher for a 3g wireless hotspot dongle so she might have wireless internet with her if she has a laptop or phone/ipod. They're usually not too expensive while there's a monthly subscription it's not usually too expensive.

Maura74

I would make a donation to cancer research in her name, this will help others with cancer as well.

ABajaninCork

Maura74 wrote: »

I would make a donation to cancer research in her name, this will help others with cancer as well.

It will, but how is that going to cheer the lady up?

ABajaninCork

Merkin wrote: »

If she likes history and likes reading there's a great author by the name of Alison Weir who has written a gazillion historical books. They are usually biographical but written in a very engaging and light way, her style is very intimate and conversational and hugely entertaining. I love Tudor history so have got most of her books based around that time, if your friend is interested in this type of thing then The Six Wives of Henry VIII is a nice general one.

You sound lovely by the way I did this for a friend recently too and they appreciated it so much, it's lovely to receive a parcel, especially when it contains carefully thought out goodies!

I second Alison Weir. I've got a copy of her biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Brilliant book!

cactusgal

+1 to the Kindle, I absolutely love mine!! What about a box set of a silly comedy like Father Ted? Or, if she likes animals, I wonder if there is an organization in her area where volunteers bring cats and dogs in to visit sick people - obviously, you'd have to be an animal lover to appreciate it