Leicester_H Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hi DH was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer (I won't bore you with the details here). He will soon start 7.5 weeks of radiotherapy - treatment is every week day with weekends off to recover. One of the main side effects is expected to be tiredness. Its his birthday soon, so I'd like to get some things to cheer him up and keep him 'occupied'. Money 'no object' (within reason !) but he has 'everything' already. I have selected a book already, so don't want any more books - any ideas ? Thanks, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 What about a tablet and a subscription to his favourite daily newspaper? My iPad keeps me occupied usually when I am supposed to occupied with more useful persuits Best wishes for a successful treatment x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 When one of our collegues is ill, we buy a magazine (can be just about anything) and we make it go round the other collegues together with a stack of post-its. Everyone can write one or more post-its and stick it in with the stories. We make funny comments on the photo's, stories and such. Reference to co-workers, stories, events and such. It can be really funny and entertaining! I have to say, that writing the post-its is alsmost as much fun as reading them. But the iPad idea is great too. I can spend whole days on mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Sorry to hear it Leicester-H. Sending best wishes. Another vote here for an ipad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Sorry to hear that too . How about subscribing to some podcasts for him? I listen to Answer Me This, Richard Bacon's daily show and the Friday Night Comedy Show - all free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Podcasts are great, they would take no effort to lie back and listen to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Sorry to hear that - hope all goes well with the treatment. How about ear plugs Seriously, if your OH is tired and wanting to get some serious rest (which is so important to re charge the batteries anyway,) then noise can be very offputting and it can be especially hard to sleep during the day. Earplugs blot out the noise, prevent loud 'wake up calls' and really do help Other than that - jigsaw puzzles and one of those roll up mats to keep it all flat/tidy etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Just wanted to say sorry to hear about the diagnosis. I love the magazine idea, cat-tails! My vote would be for an ipad, too - he could do all of the above on it (including jigsaws!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Best wishes. You can download audiobooks for your phone or tablet. I think you have to subscribe but I think Audible is a good one. Three things we've given to MIL which were very much appreciated were, headphones (earplugs hurt her ears) for listening to devices and blocking out noises around her, a V-shaped pillow and a small personal air-conditioning unit. The last can be held or propped up on the cabinet. MIL moistens hers with rosewater and lavender oil which helps counteract that hospital smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 So sorry to hear about this Leicester_H - very positive Omlet vibes for a speedy recovery!!! Tablet is a FAB idea, along with the free download of the Kindle app!! What about a fish tank? Doesn't have to be huge, but I'd go for a few small tropical fish, very entertaining to watch and don't need much looking after (but you can tinker a little bit when you're feeling up to it!!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I have to say, when I was having radiotherapy the worst part was the waiting times....for a week straight I went in within half an hour but the last week was a four hour wait everyday.....that was the hardest.....what I couldn't have done without was my iPod and earphones....I had a selection of music downloaded and had a few games on there too. I didn't want anyone with me during my appointments so the iPod was a god send and I really didn't want to be hearing everyone else's tales of woe.....they love swapping stories in the waiting area!!!! I really wasn't that tired at the weekend....I worked in the mornings and had my treatment in the afternoons but made sure I didn't work on the Saturday.....I would say, see how it goes....you may find he just wants to carry on as normal....and good luck with everything.. high five to the NHS too....I speak as I find and I can't fault the treatment my family or I have received.....here we go.....I'm gonna get lynched now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I too would vote for an iPad. I love mine, and this is despite me saying I'd never use one! I'm on it all the time now. Not always a good thing Bit it does help if you suddenly want to look something up and you don't have to get up and go to a pc etc, so if he is feeling a little tired after treatment, it would really help. Podcasts are a heat idea. I do t listen to them currently but am about to listen to one called Welcome To Nightvale which my daughter loves and has had some great reviews on The guardian website. All the best to your OH for his treatment, and to you as I imagine this might be quite hard for you too x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I just wanted to pass on my best wishes too, H, it can be a very tough time indeed. I also think the tablet is a fantastic idea, perhaps a mini iPad or similar as its smaller and lighter. Whichever you choose will let your OH do/read/listen to whatever he is interested in when he feels up to it, and just sleep when he doesn't feel up to engaging. When my father had radiotherapy and then chemo for prostate cancer he lost most of his interest in food as it all tasted strange and metallic (I think that was the chemo rather than the radio, but I can't quite remember). When my cousin had radiotherapy she also carried on working, when she could, but after a session she would come home and just fall asleep. I also wanted to say that you must make time and indulgence for yourself, its very hard on the carer as well as the patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Also sending best wishes to you both.Another thing to consider for you both is massage.My brother in law had cancer treatment and it was offered as part of the service to both him and my sister.He initially felt it was too 'girly' for him.But after seeing the positive effect it had on my sister gave it a go.He loved it and felt very relaxed and rejuvenated and went every week.Also to go with ear plugs an eye mask is good.The fluorescent lights can be very harsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Sorry to hear your news. An iPad sounds like a good suggestion and I also thought about massage. When Dad was having chemo he'd spend hours on his iPod touch (now been replaced with an iPad) but after weeks of everyone telling him he looked ill, his consultant said to get 5 minutes on a sun bed. He did it and people coming round suddenly said how much better he looked with his colour back (they didn't know about the tan)... strange suggestion but apparently it worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi Thanks all. He already has a tablet and an iPod (I think!) - I did say he has everything! - but he/we both like listening to plays so some content would be useful (perhaps some Paul Temple mysteries - anyone else a fan?). Maybe some subscriptions as well. The ear plugs / eye shield is also a good idea. Also like the massage & sun bed ideas. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickendoodle Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 There are some fabulous jigsaw puzzles out there. I buy them from www.jigsawpuzzlesdirect.co.uk. Maybe a few jigsaws and a puzzle board (either flat or roll up) ? Don't know how old your OH is or what his interests are but there are DVD box sets of war films, hammer horror, ealing comedies, spaghetti westerns.... Or you could set him to work on a project, like organising old photographs and getting them printed into an album or on a DVD Or buy him a subscription to Ancestry so that he can start tracing his family tree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Sorry to be a bit off topic, but Chatty Chicken, thanks for the link. I LOVE doing puzzles, & get bored of the usual 'kittens in a basket' themes I am really fussy about which ones I do now - I like the Ravensburger ones a lot, but I think I have done all of the ones by them that I like. I can envisage many hours trawling this site though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Love all the ideas - I had radio for 3 weeks straight - I drove 65 miles each day to get there and 65 miles back - I was there every morning by 9am and back at my desk at work before 11am most days - I drove myself and worked throught it - I did not feel tired with it and remained positive - I put my mp3 player on to walk the length of the hospital and the car park and played my music in the car = I just wanted to remain normal and it was good. Good luck to your OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 There is also a puzzle app for on your iPad. It works really well and lets you make puzzles from your own pictures! https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/jigsaw-puzzle/id495583717?mt=8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I was sorry to read that your OH is poorly and wanted to send my best wishes to you both. I don't have many ideas apart from maybe a Sudoku puzzle book ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 sorry your OH is poorly sending positive thoughts, prayers, etc from here too. what about a subscription for netflix? cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Oooh Netflix! Another of my little addictions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Firstly - I send my hugs to you both. xx Present ideas? Hmm Could he get into Astronomy? A telescope maybe? Or is he into watching the birds? A bird table/ dove cote & a few doves? Model kits / model railway? The 3D jigsaws are good fun! I like the idea of a small fish tank - or perhaps a budgie or small parrot? Now those truly are entertaining! I know, as my parents have an African Grey & she is very very funny! It all depends what he is into really. Some men like painting water colours, doing tapestry, pyrography & wood turning. Others like gadgetry like electronic building kits etc. Would he like to learn a musical instrument maybe? I hope I have given you some pause for thought ideas. Best wishes... Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
