After battling breast cancer for almost 5 years, a co-worker/friend was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and given a very short amount of time to live. Naturally we are all devistated. We are trying to gather ideas on what we can do for her to help keep her spirits up. Just thought I'd check here for some ideas. All she is "asking" for is our prayers, but we all wanted to come up with some creative ideas to help ease her pain, in addition to the prayers. We will probably be passing around an envelope where people can donate gift cards and such if they choose, so that she can go shopping or out to dinner, the movies, that kind of thing. Any other ideas are greatly appreciated!!
When my mom had cancer when we were kids, I remember people brining over meals for us so she didn't have to cook.
Money donations are extremely helpful to cover expenses that add up even with great insurance.
Daily cards, if you take turns just sending her an email or a card just to say your thinking of her. (Also to get something besides bills in the mail!)
I will pray for your co-worker and everyone close to her! Best wishes!
You may want to consider putting together a scrap book w/ pictures of her and her friends, family, pets, places/vacations, etc. that you have from all your years together. If you can get pics from her youngest days, add those too. Remember to include humor as well as precious moments. Think of how much fun it will be to relive those times. After all, who doesn't like to laugh at the 80's mall hair days??? In addition to providing you quality time with her now, it will provide her family with precious memories after she's gone.
Does she have a family? I think maybe the most important thing to do for her at this point is to make sure she has time to spend with the ones she loves. Offer to take on some of her "chores", like laundry, groceries, yard work, etc. I couldn't imagine being in her situation, but I would probably be happier spending my last days having quality time with my family than doing something mundane like folding a basket of clothes.
I will pray for her. What a wonderful thing for you to want to do.
Prepare meals for her that she can pop out of the freezer and put into the microwave ready to go. Keep her company at Doctor's appointments and/or chemotherapy (if she wants that) so that she does not need to drive herself. Help with chores so she can keep up her stength. Share with her those special moments with a small scrapbook of memories with her. If she has family, ask them for their memories too. Many people wait until someone is gone to share how much they meant to them - you have the opportunity to do it now while she can appreciate it. Let me know if you need ideas or help in getting it started. See my website at www.mycmsite.com/mindynemoff or write back with a personal message and phone # and we can talk more.
When my dad was dying, he loved receiving cards. When he died we had a whole laundry basket full. It was great for my mom to go through them to see how much he was loved and missed by his co-workers and friends. They also took the time to call and/or visit. Don't stay away because you think she needs her rest. Call before you visit and she'll let you know if she's up to it. Bring food for the family and for her. Freezer to oven food in portion sizes made mom's life so much easier. If someone is a fast knitter or crocheter, make a prayer shawl for her. not only will it be a physical sign of you love and prayers, it can keep her warm.
C. s
I was thinking it might be nice for a group of you to take her out for dinner and spend some time telling her how much you have appreciated her. If she's too sick to go out, you could take her dinner and flowers and do the same thing at her home or hospital room. It would be like a memorial service while she's still alive to hear what you have to say. I'm sure she would love to hear that her life has meant something to you and others.
