My daughter was recently diagnosed with rectal cancer...need ideas for birthday present....?

My daughter (who is only 35) is coming up on her 36th birthday soon. She was diagnosed with rectal cancer recently and begins her treatments only 4 days before her birthday. Does anyone have any suggestions for something "special" for this years birthday? I don't want to go "over the top" and draw unnecessary attention to that day... I know she doesn't want it to be any different than any other birthday that she's had... but since it IS different this year... and because she is experiencing something that possibly some of you out there have... does anyone have any suggestions for gifts that a cancer patient could use or would appreciate? Or anything else special??? She loves to garden, and other years I usually got her something related to that, or a gift certificate to a nursery... this year is different.

She tells me that while undergoing treatment she can take only bathes for 5 weeks... so I was thinking along the line of bath products... anyone have any other suggestions?

My friend told me that when she went through her treatment for this, that her hands and feet got so dry from the treatments that they were very painful and the skin would crack and peel. She said that her doctor suggested that she get a form of Dr. Scholl's foot cream and use it on her hands also. She said that it worked wonders when nothing else seemed to do the trick for her.
If your daughter seems to feel up to it, it might be nice to get her gift certificates for some spa sessions; the kind where they give you a pedicure which includes a foot and leg massage or a manicure which includes hand and arm massage. Having a facial is wonderfully relaxing too. If you can make yourself relax and just give over to it, it's so soothing to have someone with a good touch massaging your face, neck and shoulders. Just check the place out to make certain that they have a relaxing atmosphere and do good quality work.
You might also want to give her a Jamba Juice gift certificate (if they have that in your area). It's possible that the radiation treatments may make her throat sore, and this would give her a good selection of something tasty and nourishing to drink when eating might be a little difficult. She can also get wheat grass shots there, which I've heard is good to do right after a treatment.

I want to thank everyone who answered me. You all had great ideas. PJPeach... you are awesome and I loved your answer! I think I'll get both of us a gift certificate for a day spa and join her! Thank you so much!

Vickie Report It

If she does not already have one, a laptop computer may be a good gift for her. This way she can keep in touch with family and friends when she is in the clinic or hospital.

My son has a laptop and he always brings it to the hospital with him. He has also traveled with it when we've gone to different hospitals. I also use it quite a bit. Many hospitals now will allow free Internet access if you ask, so be sure and get a wireless laptop if this is something she might be interested in.

Good luck.

Pick a book on this list for her. They give hope.

"The Cure for All Cancers", ISBN 0963632825
"The Cure for All Advanced Cancers", ISBN 1890035165
"A Cancer Therapy", ISBN 0882681052
"Oxygen Therapies", ISBN 0962052701
"Hydrogen Peroxide--Medical Miracle", ISBN 1885236077
"The Natural Cure for Cancer--Germanium", ISBN 0533071410
"Killing Cancer", ISBN 0705000966
"Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You to Know About", ISBN 0975599518

i think give her apple laptop with feminine design....she must like it...