Hello Happypenguin, I've just finished chemo and used a cold cap. My neck & shoulders didn't get cold, just my scalp, and sometimes my legs felt cold too. An electric shoulder/neck warmer is a nice idea if that is something that your mum might like and use at home but from my experience it's not really practical for use on the chemo unit as the cold cap has pipes coming out of the back, plus your mum is likely to be connected to an IV unit and will need a towel round her shoulders to prevent any drips from the cold cap. The nurses can provide blankets but maybe a small soft throw that your mum could take with her to use if needed would be useful?

What I did find helpful in taking my mind off the cold cap was boiled sweets & hot drinks so maybe something like a nice hot drink holder or flask, and a selection of your mum's favourite sweets would be a useful gift? I did like reading a good book when having chemo but I personally steer clear of cancer books (the last thing I want to read about when having chemo!) so can't recommend one for your mum - I'm sure others will be along who can though.   

In terms of shampoo & conditioner, if using a cold cap these should be sulphates/parabens free. I used Faith in Nature products but there are other ranges available in chemists and healthfood shops. A soft fabric headband is useful to keep the cold away from your forehead and ears when using the cold cap. Lip balm and hand cream are useful but as chemo can be harsh for the skin I avoided things that are strongly frangranced and stuck with gentle brands such as Aveeno. 

Hope that helps x

Thank you very much for response. Lots to work on there. Completely agree about the book, wouldn't be for her to read while at hospital, more if and when she had questions after. Will look at some reviews.

Glad you said about the towel around head for drips and the pipes. Will look at a button push down flask as that would be great. Sweets will be nice and I love the idea of the headband too. I just bought some Aveeno bits today. Thank you very much for these great ideas. XxHP

My wife has found an electric throw over blanket is great for when she gets cold. Those are around £60 though.

Chemo is really boring. Magazines, puzzle books, books, ipad and headphones, easy knitting/embroidery, thick scarf (put round or over), hot water bottle (I always wantthis when I come home), small boxes of cereal/nice snacks/drinks, comfy socks once home, neck pillow, v pillow, candles (once home lots of creature comforts)

....anything to keep your head warm at the mo. Lots of hats are draughty!! Nice soft thin beanie, I agree with another post about lip balm, Natural products ...shampoo shower gel etc

Thank you. I have ordered an electric lap warmer/neck and shoulder warmer so will see how that goes. I am definitely going to look into the blankets though too. 

I was thinking a nice magazine subscription for next year. Socks are sorted, need to sort the ipad out as she will need bits downloaded. I can't imagine she will understand how to get on WiFi or hot-spot. Going to look into the headphones too, something that is comfortable that hooks on to her ears. She doesn't like the ones that go in ears and can't have anything on the cap. I had better start writing this all down. Neck pillow too, brilliant.

Thanks so much for these ideas. Exactly why I posted and really chuffed to have responses. X HP x

Was googling these last night on Etsy. I think she is going to have to have a little look too. Many thanks xx HP xx

You remind me of me, so this is not meant as a slight whatsoever. Or how i was at the beginning. A mile a minute.

Aye, because I was you, I get totally get what you're doing and why you're doing it. So you feel you're doing something, anything. From my experience, being full of these great ideas and bombarding her with all these gifts might have the opposite effect to what you're hoping they achieve. My wife began to get irritated with me doing this. Hell, i began to irritate myself.

Before you go getting her that magazine sub, I would maybe wait until she has had her first chemo. The ipod may be enough, more than enough. Do you know if she'd actually use it? I bought my wife something similar and it's still in the box.  She gets sore heads with the cold cap and chemo, so music irritates her no end during chemo and for around 5 days afterwards. She just prefers her phone.

She also found the first chemo to be different from the others because a nurse had to sit with her for a large portion of it in case she took a reaction. Her other chemos she was chatting to others.  However, this will be dependent on each day.

The only things my wife uses is her blanket, soothers (for her throat) and hats. She loves reading (uses a kindle) but has found it difficult to concentrate so has barely read. That's because of something called chemo brain. Again, though. There will be others who are fine with their concentration. But you won't know this at the moment.

Just don't want you to go wasting money because it may be needed for other things.  Like travel etc. Cancer is an expensive thing to live through and sometimes the most practical things are the most simple things in life.

This made me smile. I haven't a clue how she is going to be and I am thinking I will keep it simple with the 'entertaining' side for the hospital eg got her a crossword book. I feel if I bring too much technology into it she will get overwhelmed, she doesn't do electronics well. Also aware that some of the gifts can be pricey, but I am a thrifty chick!! The lap warming pad is off market place on Facebook (used once apparently) and I have got a few other small bits ready (handcream, thermos, crocheted headband). I get a magazine monthly so will save them for her.

As for the rest I think we shall get through the first treatment and see what she says. I would rather she had something she finds useful and don't want her to feel overwhelmed by gifts, she will have enough things going on already. Lovely advice and much appreciated Profbaw