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Meaghan
New User
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:20 pm Post subject: Care Packages |
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I have a teacher who is currently undergoing Chemo to fight cancer that he has had for 3 years. I had no idea until he told me today and it almost broke my heart. Our school/community has been going through a lot lately, after another teacher died of a heart attack earlier this week. I just want to let him know that we're all there for him, and I wanted to get together a care package for him to have while he's at home taking care of himself and getting better.
For those of you who have couragously fought cancer, are doing so now, or have stood beside someone who has undergone this horrible ordeal, could I ask your advice?
What are some simple things you think I could buy for him? Anything you thought was helpful to you when you were going through your struggles? |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3459
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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Goodness, Meaghan, that is a very nice thing for you to do for your teacher. It is also a very hard question to answer because each of us is so different.
The best gifts tend to be something from the heart, something that says: "We are thinking about you." Maybe get together with your school friends and make a big, gigantic card for him and pass it around your school so that a lot of people can sign it. Then take it to him. I think I would like that. But that is just one idea. You might think of something he would like better.
Tell him that he has people all over the world (literally) thinking about and praying for him.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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ksplat
Moderator
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 471
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject: Care packages |
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Hi Meaghan
What a thoughtful person you are! You must have a great sense of community at your school with such thoughful people in it.
My suggestion is cooking meals, nothing elaborate maybe some hearty soups or casseroles (which are easy to heat up in microwave or saucepan). If he's a single man I would be making them into 1-2 serve portions so they can be frozen & your teacher can use them as needed. Another suggestion is someone to offer (or you could take turns) running errands for this person. Groceries, mail, even a phone call from time to time to see if therr are any odd jobs that can be done around the house. I'm thinking lawns, rubbish runs, the possibilites are endless really. Just offering a phone contact for him if he runs out of anything & can't get to the supermarket.
God bless you for reaching out to this person & we are here for you if you need to talk or "blow off steam" at any time.
Cheers, Aussie Angie.
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Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227
"Without Faith We Have Nothing" |
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dragonmom4
Experienced user
Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 82
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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hi meaghan, i'm so sorry your dear teacher is going through this. i've been in remission for 9 months and i have gone to a website that i think everyone should visit; where i have bought items for myself and others to either spread awareness or make someones day. i reccomend you check it out. www. choosehope.com the prices are very reasonable and the money goes to research. i love that site and every type of cancer anyone could be fighting through is on that sight. so even the "sensitive" types of cancers are not ignored i.e. cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer ( of course ), testicular cancer; the works. if you know which kind your teacher has there is a button to click on that says Types of Cancer and then you just pick it out of the list then go to products and gifts for that type or just go to new products and gifts and it gives you categories to choose from. well always in my heart, have a nice evening, Kat
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My Story : http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7371
~~ survivor fighter; been shot, stabbed, 3rd degree burns, head rammed into window, molestation, rape, and Cervical Cancer twice, been in remission over 9 mnths through level 3 malignance...~~~
AND I'M STILL KICKING!!!! |
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dragonmom4
Experienced user
Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 82
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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oh and by the way, i forgot to mention since he's going through chemo right now certain foods disagree with his stomache so go online and look up cooking for cancer or something like that, can't remember the link. i know it helped me. take care and you and your teacher and friends are in my heart and prayers, Kat
_________________
My Story : http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7371
~~ survivor fighter; been shot, stabbed, 3rd degree burns, head rammed into window, molestation, rape, and Cervical Cancer twice, been in remission over 9 mnths through level 3 malignance...~~~
AND I'M STILL KICKING!!!! |
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In
Site Admin
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 1314
Location: AUSTRALIA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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Hi Meaghan
What a sweet and thoughtful idea.
I agree with Jim(brainman) on the card. I know when i was in hospital for a long time laying flat, that the cards and photos kept me positive and got me through the tough patches. I got a funny/stupid  movie made from friends. Maybe a movie for him, with class mates and teaches saying best wishes etc. (maybe a skit, or jokes).
Food can be a issue, as everyone have certain taste and also different allergies and nauesation with food, while on treatments. But i would ask. Even make a menu of sorts so he can chose some meals. (it would be a sad waste if the meals got thrown out).
The jobs and errands another fantastic idea.
Keep up the idea- it's a great one.
_________________
Thinking of you Inica
*Administrator*
~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~
My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731
 9 Lives and still kicking |
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Meaghan
New User
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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thank you so much for you ideas and thoughts! i really appreciate it
-Meaghan |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3459
Location: Tennessee
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LostMyFriend
Regular
Joined: 13 Nov 2007
Posts: 11
Location: Saint Louis, MO
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| Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:18 am Post subject: Try a video gift! |
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I really like the idea posted earlier of a video card. I know our school has an extensive video area and kids are always making the darnest things. They could do skits or reviews of things happening at school. They could interview staff or have groups of kids send well-wishes. I know I would like watching it over and over and it would be small enough to keep, unlike a giant card.
Good luck and thanks for thinking of him! |
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Meaghan
New User
Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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| I work at an ice cream place and my teacher really likes ice cream, so we got him a gallon and a half of ice cream to have when he's not doing chemo. We also got him a huge card and everyone signed it. It wasn't much, but I know he appreciated it. |
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dragonmom4
Experienced user
Joined: 01 Oct 2007
Posts: 82
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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sounds great meaghan. may his wishes be granted and God bless you my dear..
_________________
My Story : http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7371
~~ survivor fighter; been shot, stabbed, 3rd degree burns, head rammed into window, molestation, rape, and Cervical Cancer twice, been in remission over 9 mnths through level 3 malignance...~~~
AND I'M STILL KICKING!!!! |
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winterswolf
New User
Joined: 09 Sep 2006
Posts: 7
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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I honestly wouldn't select food items because appetites often changes during chemo. Even formerly favorite foods can seem repulsive. Plus, he may have some dietary restrictions. Home visits are kind of doubtful - the immune system is often very weak while in treatment and even minor viruses can become serious.
Here are some very useful and inexpensive alternatives:
Reading material for those long chemo sessions. Paperbacks and puzzles are good choices.
Hypoallergenic, scent-free lotion, lip balm, soap, powder.
A lightweight blanket (chemo rooms are freezing).
A warm hat.
Cards and letters from his students.
A scheduler.
A pack of respirator masks.
A weekly phone call to keep him in the loop with what's happening at school and to let him know everybody misses, wishes him well, and looks forward to his return.
_________________
Initially diagnosed Stage IIIb cervical cancer 6/06.
First remission: 11/06
Cancer returned: 5/07
Second Remission: 12/07
Cancers faced/fought so far: Endometrial, uterine, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, abdominal lymph nodes, abdomen, liver. |
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simplyklb
Senior User
Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 146
Location: Near Kansas City MO
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| Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Care Packages |
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I know that I am late in replying but just happened to come across this thread. People love to know that others are thinking of them. If you have a co-worker, student, or teacher who is battling cancer. Pass around a card for people to sign. The person receiving it will appreciate it more than you could ever imagine. It just shows that you care.
Kristi |
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