Help me help my family

April 21, 2011 5:48 PM

A family member has just found out their very aggressive cancer has returned after what was thought to be a successful surgery. My family member and their partner have been advised to think in terms of management as opposed to cure.

I live in a different country, and feel completely helpless. What can I do to offer even a small measure of comfort? I'm looking for gifts, gestures, ideas that aren't maudlin or syrupy in tone... more along the lines of "F U, cancer". The family member in question is a rabid tennis fan, and loves pugs, tea, and fitness.

posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

If you're in the United States, postcards to Canada are $.75, Mexico $.79, and everywhere else $.98. Get something related to their hobbies, and send them awesome stuff. If they like pugs, write a speech bubble next to a pug and write 'F U CANCER' or something else snarky and/or amusing on it. (Don't drop an actual F-bomb, some places may frown on that.)

I can't speak to the costs of mailing from other countries, but I imagine the same principle would apply.
posted by Heretical at 6:19 PM on April 21, 2011

Can you cross-stitch?
posted by chrisamiller at 7:18 PM on April 21, 2011 [2 favorites]

How about a Pug plush toy to cuddle? When a family friend's cancer returned we got her a stuffed doggy toy to keep her company during her treatments.  Her family told us she loved that doggy very much and it was a comfort to her.  

I'm sorry to hear about your friend and I wish you and them peace. 
posted by dorkydancer at 7:48 PM on April 21, 2011

Dangit! I meant to say family not friend.
posted by dorkydancer at 7:49 PM on April 21, 2011

Indie illustrator Gemma Correll creates really sweet, hilarious representations of pugs: pins, mugs, tshirts and cards, etc. They would certainly bring a smile to any pug lover, especially if you combine the pug mug with a penchant for drinking tea. Her own store is on vacation at present, but here are a few stockists that sell her work:

http://www.hannahzakari.co.uk/gemma_correll
http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Artist=Gemma+Correll
http://shop.littleotsu.com/search?q=gemma+correll

I am so sorry to hear about your relative's illness, also.
Best of wishes to you.
posted by noella at 8:08 PM on April 21, 2011

Pug presents: Sheldon Comics has a pug anthology.
posted by endless_forms at 7:35 AM on April 22, 2011