Tuesday, March 3, 2015

CHEMO BASKET

The person nearest and dearest to me (besides my immediate family, as in hubby and kids & their families) is in the middle of a big health fight and I am 757 miles away from her which has resulted in feelings of helplessness and frustration in not doing my part to support her & just wanting to be with her.  We visited her in hospital early on but to go to her now would just add to the burden (who wants to deal with company when you are dealing with everything else???). Old Ben Franklin said it best..."Guests like fish begin to smell after three days." I for one do not want to be thought of as stinky fish!
A couple of years ago another dear one was fighting the good fight (prayers answered, she WON!) and I wanted to do something other than flowers or a card so I made her a smaller version of my "Chemo Basket" (I hope and pray I don't have to do more of these). So I did some research on items that might be useful, did my shopping, made my labels and put together the basket. This basket was well received and I was given permission by the recipient to do this post.
Here is the label for the outside of the basket - feel free to copy and use if you have a need.
Here are the labels/tags for the individual items.  Once again please feel free to copy and use.  I will put a link to the "Keep Calm" free font (for personal use only is it free) and a list and where to find the other items. These items were just printed out on cardstock in my inkjet printer.
I found a tall narrow basket and then added the tags/labels to the items after putting some of them in little cellophane bags and tying them with narrow gingham ribbon.  The cream recommended for radiation site was printed out on a label so as to stick to the top of the jar. Everything else in the basket with the exception of the basket itself, the socks and the blanket were ordered off of Amazon.  This was purposely done so that if she wanted more it would be as easy as a couple of clicks to replinish. I will note that the Aveda Lip Saver (highly recommended) was the only item NOT on Amazon Prime and when I ordered it did not come within my time-frame so I bought locally.  It is easy to find at hair salons that carry this brand.

One item that I did not put into the bag that would be nice is a sippy type water bottle as I know she has these.  If any of you dear readers have suggestions on items that would have been great to be included please add a comment or send an email.  She has a Kindle so reading items were not necessary and I was focusing in on items that I though would be helpful to her well being.
All set and ready for cellophane and a ribbon....
Ready to go into a box and to the mail.

Resources

Cellophane roll, craft & hobby stores and online
Cellophane bags, craft & hobby stores and online
Wide gingham ribbon, Costco
Narrow ribbon, Hobby Lobby
Basket, Marshall's
Ralph Lauren blanket, Marshall's
Spa socks, Marshall's
Aquaphor cream for radiation,Aquaphor Healing Ointment Dry, Cracked and Irritated Skin Protectant, 14 oz Jar
PSI bands for nausea,Psi Bands - Nausea Relief Acupressure Wrist Band Drug Free Cherry Blossom - 2 Band(s)
Pre-tied chemo head scarf, Black White Abstract Leaf Foliage Printed Pre Tied Fitted Bandana Tichel Chemo Stretchy Head Scarf SH321
CeraVe unscented lotion, CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, 12 oz.
Keep Calm Font (free, click on yellow) Link 
By Stephanie Lynn


Thank you for stopping by.



 

7 comments:

  1. BLESS YOUR SISTER AND HER RECOVERY IS QUICK AND AS LITTLE PAIN IN THESE TRYING TIMES.
    MAY YOUR HEART BE LESS BURDENED AS I'M SURE SHE KNOWS YOUR PRAYERS ARE WITH HER,
    AS ARE OURS.

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    1. Thank you so much Anonymous - she is in good hands and the prayers are so helpful, thank you so much. j.

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  2. You are a saint!! I know this will aide in your hurting heart too!! Love you!!

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    1. No saint here but you are right, this helped me too. Love you. j.

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  3. I'm amazed at this basket!
    How very thougthful of you. It's wise not to burden this person with visits but giving something made with all your love and for they feeling better...
    I'm sure this person will recover, and soon I hope.
    Bye!

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    1. Susana - what a beautiful name you have! Thank you for your comment and such kind words. I thought long and hard about doing this post but after I asked my sister and she said OK I decided to do the post. This seemed to be a good solution to let me feel like I could do something to comfort her other than calls, cards, etc. She was very happy with the basket and has already been using some of the products.My hope is that it might help others who sadly find themselves in the position I am in right now. Thank you so much for stopping by. jj

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