So here's a timely question ... What presents would you recommend as being particularly great gift ideas for someone who has multiple myeloma?
Thanks in advance!
R.
Forums
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
Great question. As we approach the first holiday season since my husband's diagnosis, I have been carefully observing Matty and other patients that we have met during his treatment. Matty will have his autologous stem cell transplant next week, followed by weeks of marathon 7 day a week hospital visits.
Keeping in mind that these suggestions are probably more geared for multiple myeloma patients undergoing treatment, versus those that are in remission, I would suggest:
Keeping in mind that these suggestions are probably more geared for multiple myeloma patients undergoing treatment, versus those that are in remission, I would suggest:
- Fleece throw (regular or electric) - one that can fit easily into a bag or backpack. Great for treatment day.
- In-chair heat/massage unit - this has provided Matty quite a bit of relief from bone and muscle aches, and it can be carried from home to treatment
- Subscription to Netflix - Netflix can now be streamed to laptops, iPhones, etc. so that patients can watch movies during treatment hours.
- Nice lunch kit/thermos - meals on the go are a must for those under treatment, and a nice insulated meal kit is a great gift.
- Nice rolling case/backpack - can hold everything needed for treatment - medications, masks, sanitizer, throw, hat, lunch sack, laptop, etc.
- As always, gift cards for gas and/or groceries are always needed/welcome, especially in small denominations ($5 and $10) for the patient to give to others as thank you's for helping with transportation, etc.
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ritamartin
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
Thanks, Rita. Those are great gift ideas!
One thing that I've been trying to figure out is what sort of gift would be good for someone who has peripheral neuropathy, particularly PN in the hands. That's got me stumped.
Best of luck to you and your husband.
R.
One thing that I've been trying to figure out is what sort of gift would be good for someone who has peripheral neuropathy, particularly PN in the hands. That's got me stumped.
Best of luck to you and your husband.
R.
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
Go over to their house and set up their holiday decorations for them. And more important, don't forget to come back and help them take them down! Ask if you can take them to do their holiday shopping or if you can do some of their shopping for them! Help with holiday baking/cooking. Another idea: a gift certificate for a massage/spa day.
I had two really bad holiday seasons while dealing with active myeloma, and the thought of Christmas activities was exhausting and depressing. My children were still in middle school and I was stuck in the hospital until Christmas Eve one year, and using a walker the other year. Couldn't have gotten through it without help from friends/family. But now, no worries, all is great!
I had two really bad holiday seasons while dealing with active myeloma, and the thought of Christmas activities was exhausting and depressing. My children were still in middle school and I was stuck in the hospital until Christmas Eve one year, and using a walker the other year. Couldn't have gotten through it without help from friends/family. But now, no worries, all is great!
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lyndaclark - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2005
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
Another thing my sister-in-law did for me (the steroids had affected my fine motor skills and I had neuropathy due to thalidomide) was wrap all my presents and address my Christmas cards for me, God bless her!!
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lyndaclark - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2005
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
A great gift for someone who is going in for transplant and is a book lover. Get an eReader so that they don't have to carry bags of books to the hospital with them. They also will be able to have books of different types at their finger tips for reading depending on their mood, etc.
For the person who is having a hard time with their multiple myeloma, prepared meals and probably the enjoyment of your company while dining on one of those meals.
A gift certificate for a good massage, Myofascial Release treatment, facial, or any other pampering type service.
For me, the joy of being alive and well at the moment are the gifts that I am going to enjoy this year Thanksgiving was a very emotional time for me this year because I had so much to be thankful for and so many people to thank for the love that they sent my way.
Nancy
For the person who is having a hard time with their multiple myeloma, prepared meals and probably the enjoyment of your company while dining on one of those meals.
A gift certificate for a good massage, Myofascial Release treatment, facial, or any other pampering type service.
For me, the joy of being alive and well at the moment are the gifts that I am going to enjoy this year Thanksgiving was a very emotional time for me this year because I had so much to be thankful for and so many people to thank for the love that they sent my way.
Nancy
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
Hello everyone,
Thank you all for being such a great resource for myeloma patients and their families. It is so inspiring to see all the support given to one another in the battle against this disease.
My mother (50s, previously healthy) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last Summer. After multiple rounds of Revlimid, Velcade and dexamethasone, she will be undergoing a stem cell transplant shortly after Christmas. I know it will be a challenging time (to say the least!), but we are hoping and praying that things will go well.
For those of you who have undergone a stem cell transplant or had a loved one go through such an ordeal, do you have any suggestions for a gift or gifts that might make the inpatient experience just a little easier to endure?
Thank you all so much for your time. It is much appreciated.
Thank you all for being such a great resource for myeloma patients and their families. It is so inspiring to see all the support given to one another in the battle against this disease.
My mother (50s, previously healthy) was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last Summer. After multiple rounds of Revlimid, Velcade and dexamethasone, she will be undergoing a stem cell transplant shortly after Christmas. I know it will be a challenging time (to say the least!), but we are hoping and praying that things will go well.
For those of you who have undergone a stem cell transplant or had a loved one go through such an ordeal, do you have any suggestions for a gift or gifts that might make the inpatient experience just a little easier to endure?
Thank you all so much for your time. It is much appreciated.
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pocketsquare - Who do you know with myeloma?: Family member
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Spring 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 50
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
For someone going into a stem cell transplant, I'd recommend an iPod and one of the docking stations or small sets of speakers that allow you to use it without earphones. Having my music available was a great help when I was in for my transplant.
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Mike F - Name: Mike F
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
Hi pocketsquare,
I second what Mike F said about the iPod. Being able to listen to your own music is a joy when you're stuck in the hospital for an extended period. I kind of liked listening through my earbuds, though, because it helped me get into my own little world.
I also like two of the earlier suggestions in this thread - the eReader (or iPad) and the Netflix subscription. Both are good for helping to pass the time.
Another kind of thing that comes to my mind is items to keep extremities warm. So a stocking cap, light gloves, and/or nice warm slippers (with a good grippy bottom to prevent slips) may sound like stupid things for a hospital stay, but my (chemo-caused) bald head, hands, and feet were significantly colder than the rest of me.
Also, check out Nancy Shamana's great column from last year with suggestions for presents for myeloma patients ("Northern Lights: Stocking Stuffers," The Myeloma Beacon, Dec 10, 2015). Although she wrote that with all patients in mind, I think many of the suggestions would also be relevant for someone going into the hospital for a stem cell transplant.
Finally, you might search for threads about stem cell transplant preparations or read some of the 1st person journals that folks have written about their transplants in order to get other ideas about what people have found to be handy during their transplant stays. (See this post pinned at the top of the "Treatments & Side Effects" section of the forum for a quick link to most transplant-related threads, as well as other useful links.)
Best wishes to your mother and to you. Please check in to let us know how things go for her.
Mike
I second what Mike F said about the iPod. Being able to listen to your own music is a joy when you're stuck in the hospital for an extended period. I kind of liked listening through my earbuds, though, because it helped me get into my own little world.
I also like two of the earlier suggestions in this thread - the eReader (or iPad) and the Netflix subscription. Both are good for helping to pass the time.
Another kind of thing that comes to my mind is items to keep extremities warm. So a stocking cap, light gloves, and/or nice warm slippers (with a good grippy bottom to prevent slips) may sound like stupid things for a hospital stay, but my (chemo-caused) bald head, hands, and feet were significantly colder than the rest of me.
Also, check out Nancy Shamana's great column from last year with suggestions for presents for myeloma patients ("Northern Lights: Stocking Stuffers," The Myeloma Beacon, Dec 10, 2015). Although she wrote that with all patients in mind, I think many of the suggestions would also be relevant for someone going into the hospital for a stem cell transplant.
Finally, you might search for threads about stem cell transplant preparations or read some of the 1st person journals that folks have written about their transplants in order to get other ideas about what people have found to be handy during their transplant stays. (See this post pinned at the top of the "Treatments & Side Effects" section of the forum for a quick link to most transplant-related threads, as well as other useful links.)
Best wishes to your mother and to you. Please check in to let us know how things go for her.
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Best holiday presents for multiple myeloma patients
My favorite present the Christmas after my transplant was a really nice pair of moccasins. The kind that have lambswool inside and suede on the outside with a rubber sole. My feet hurt most of the time from peripheral neuropathy, and yet they always felt cold. Normal shoes were not comfy, but I wore those moccasins everyday around my house, and for the odd trip out in the car (rubber sole). Not cheap but I wore them until they fell apart.
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lys2012 - Name: Alyssa
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2010, Toronto, Canada
- Age at diagnosis: 32
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