13 Great Gifts Ideas for the Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patient
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What can I get them that will help?
It’s shocking to hear a close friend tell you they have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is “What can I get for my friend who’s about to start treatment?” There are so many great ideas, but we’ve got some favorites to share with you!
1. Essential oils
First up: Essential oils! We’re not going to sit here and tell you that essential oils can cure cancer, but we will urge you to use them as a natural, affordable, and effective way to manage some of the side effects your friend is likely to encounter. Our favorites include lavender for calming, peppermint for digestive upset, headaches, and focus, and frankincense for its anti-inflammatory and immune support benefits. We love Revive or DoTerra brand oils.
Here are links to some of the essential oils we love: Revive Lavender, Revive Peppermint, Revive Frankincense, DoTerra Lavender, DoTerra Peppermint, DoTerra Frankincense. Oh, and we can’t forget DoTerra’s Deep Blue for aches and pains and joint discomfort! Check out this glowing review.
“This is my life-saving product! I don’t understand why or how this works, all I know is that it has made a life-changing difference in my case. I was in pain everywhere in my body. Had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis/fibromyalgia/CFS/migraines. This puts all of those problems to rest!”
Tea Tree oil (Melaluca) is a must have for women going through chemotherapy. Chemo will often cause the fingernails and toenails to blacken and turn green or black. Rubbing a tiny little bit of tea tree oil on them each day really helps to prevent that from happening. DoTerra and Revive brands are great for that too.
2. Shower lanyards
Shower Lanyards, you know - the kind that were cool for keychains in the early 2000s, are great to hold up those pesky post-surgical drains in the shower. For those who’ve had a mastectomy, some lumpectomies, or reconstruction, dealing with the post-surgical drains is no fun. Drain tubes can be clipped on with simple safety pins. This simple item makes hands-free showering a breeze.
You can check out our video tutorial on how to clear JP Drains here. Shower lanyards are a great addition to any get well gift you may be putting together for a newly diagnosed friend. This one is the type we use in our care bags. These come in with 100 per pack, but at those prices - grab a pack, give a few to those in need and you can donate the rest to us 😊.
3. Tea bags, mints, and candies
Tea Bags, Mints & Hard Candies are always nice to soothe tummies and ease dry mouth caused by treatment. Calming teas and peppermint teas are great. And peppermint, ginger, or lemon hard candies always seem to be well received.
4. Lip balms
Lip Balm, preferably ones that give some serious moisture and healing, because treatment for breast cancer seems to make everything dry! We love Nivea Moisture and Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning. Aquaphor is also fantastic.
Aquaphor ointment is an all-around winner. It is fantastic on dry skin patches, lips and radiated skin. It is also wonderful to put on incision sites once the skin has healed and the surgical tapes have been removed.
5. Moisturizers
Moisturize, preferably ones not laden with cancer-causing chemicals. We love the variety of different moisturizers BeautyCounter has to offer. Other favorites include Dr. C. Tuna’s Calendula Balm and Aveeno Skin Repair cream.
6. Tumblers
A water tumbler with a straw, or reusable straws are a great addition to any gift. You may be picking up that treatment for cancer causes serious dryness issues! Water is the #1 solution, but drinking it is not easy for everyone. We’ve found that drinking through a straw makes you drink more each time you take a sip.
Check out any of these tumblers for a little inspiration. And, these amazing glass straws are fabulous and made locally (in Southport, NC) by a wonderful family. Oh, and they are customizable! Seriously cool!
7. Nonslip socks
Fuzzy slipper socks, the ones with the non-slip treads are always a nice touch. Nothing says nurturing like some cozy socks to keep those tootsies warm! Whether it’s the cold treatment rooms, or just a case of the chills, we think everyone needs some cozy fuzzy socks.
8. Gentle body soaps
Gentle body soap is important. Many soaps have ingredients that can irritate dry or radiated skin. Cetaphil’s Gentle Cleansing Bar is another option. You can also try out the Lavender Goats Milk Soap Bar with Oats - Gentle Exfoliating Bath Soap. And, you can’t go wrong with any of the artisanal goat milk soaps by Clary Hollow, another hand-crafted wonder from a local SE North Carolina business we love.
9. Journaling materials
A journal and pen are must haves. At GBTP, we know practicing gratitude can make a huge difference in someone’s outlook. We hope everyone chooses to do some gratitude journaling and reaps the benefits of the gratitude attitude!
If you are looking for a gift journal, we think these journals are a great option.
Even if your friend isn’t interested in gratitude journaling, it will be nice to have a pretty journal to keep notes in along the way. There is just so much to keep track of at all those appointments during treatment.
10. Tissues
Because weepy eyes happen when you are diagnosed with breast cancer. Keep a few extras around because spontaneous weeping in caregivers and friends is totally a thing too!
11. Back scratchers
A back scratcher is a must-have item post-surgery, and even during and after radiation when burnt skin may feel tight and affect range of motion. We love the telescoping kind, like these ones.
12. Loose clothing
Clothing that is loose and soft and either zips or buttons up the front, and pants that are stretchy and can be easily pulled up are also helpful.
13. A custom quilt
A custom quilt is a wonderful way to wrap a friend or family member in love as they navigate the challenging times that follow a breast cancer diagnosis. With Quiltlove, customers can write or draw messages of love and support on individual quilt squares, which the company digitally prints on white cotton fabric and sews into personalized quilts. We love Quiltlove quilts because they are designed to be given as group gifts, making them both affordable and an incredibly meaningful way to bring an entire support network together. In addition, their quilts are backed with high-quality sherpa, making them extra snuggly -- ideal for cold hospital rooms.
Bonus: For every 10 quilts purchased, Quiltlove donates 1 to a child facing a serious medical condition at the George Mark Children’s House.
Have you come up with other ideas? Make sure to tell us about them on our social media, handles down below.