The Best Gifts I've Received During Chemotherapy (So Far)

Having cancer sucks. And chemotherapy isn't much more fun, even though it's designed to help you. I've had over eight months of biweekly chemo treatments, with no end in sight. The bright spot in all of this is the amazing amount of love and support that has been poured out to my family and me. In addition to the always-welcome casseroles, chocolate, prayers, rides, errands, and everything else that looms large in the face of a chronic illness, I've been the recipient of some especially remarkable gifts, which are listed in no particular order.

1--A soft, tiny child's toothbrush and bubblegum toothpaste (complete with cartoon princesses on the label). Exactly the right thing for my chemo-sore mouth.

2--Towels and washcloths. It's recommended that chemo patients bathe or shower daily to avoid infections, and use fresh linen each time. Having spare towels means that we don't have to always race to do enough laundry to keep up.

3--A photo album (in progress) with photos of my family and me from the last 30-ish years. It's wonderfully comforting, and a source of amusement, especially the 1980's shot that makes me look exactly like Kurt in "Glee."

4--A bottle of holy water from the shrine at Lourdes, France. Even though I'm not Catholic, having this little splash of hope on my mantelpiece is consistently cheering.

5--Having a cheerful card with $100 arrive the day I learned that my favorite band, The Proclaimers, was coming to town that weekend. The money covered tickets, drinks, and even a signed CD. I went with friends who had all listened to the remarkable "Sunshine on Leigth" album with me. This was one of the best nights of my life, and the memory is sweeter because only days afterwards, I learned my cancer is incurable.

6--A beautiful silver cross, blessed by Pope Benedict XVI.

7--An iPod, which has seen far more action than I'd ever expect. It goes to chemotherapy with me, where I play games while waiting for the infusions to begin. During infusions I listen to a relaxation/healing tape designed for chemotherapy. When I'm feeling poorly, I can lay down and listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or a meditation recording. I've even got a recording designed to help me sleep, which is worth the iPod's weight in gold on those restless nights (it's thought that perhaps a third of cancer patients have insomnia). Oh, and there's music, too.

8--Cleaning wipes in attractive containers. They live on my bathroom counter, so it's easy go grab one and do a little sanitizing to make sure I avoid infection, which can delay cancer treatments.

9--A truly amazing bakery birthday cake, tracked down somehow for my daughter who can't tolerate gluten, dairy, or soy. Decadent, delicious, and delivered anonymously on her big night, it was a huge treat for a worried girl who had never had a bakery birthday cake.

10--A subscription to Netflix. OK, I got that one for myself. And don't regret it in the slightest. When you're exhausted, achy, and generally hating life, there's nothing like an on-demand TV show or movie to distract you from pain and self-pity. Being able to go online to get almost any DVD in print is good, too.Will any of these gifts cure cancer? Of course not, although a cure for my cancer would be the best gift of all. Until then, there is much comfort, practicality and love in these and all the gifts-tangible and intangible that remind me that no matter how tough it gets, I'll never be left alone.

Important disclaimer: I have absolutely no connection whatsoever to any of the products, people, or shows mentioned here. I'm just a pink-ribbon gal surviving as best I can, with major help from family and friends; not corporate sponsorship.