A few of my favorite things, Cancer Care Bags
I don’t know about you but I love getting mail. When I was first diagnosed, it was like Christmas every day. People were continually sending cards of encouragement (I’ve kept everyone) or gifts. At first, it was a little overwhelming because I was in-between places and hated that I didn't have a space of my own to appreciate all these items properly. I also received a lot of things I didn't end up needing, using or having space for that I donated to my Cancer Center for someone who could put the items to good use (you only need so many blankets and pairs of fuzzy socks.) But even after opening my 12th pair of fuzzy socks, I was just as excited and grateful as the first pair. I loved just having something to open and knowing someone cared enough to take the time to send something!
I recently received a cancer care bag, and it had a small devotional in it I loved, and it got me thinking about what I would put in our bags. So I started to reach out to a few of my favorite brands, and the bags started coming together once they began donating items or gave me a bulk discount out of appreciation for our cause. So here are the items I included and why. A few things I wanted to add that I thought would be a little weird that I didn’t is a squatty potty, butt wipes, and lube (for your nose) so you can find those items on our Amazon Shop Page. Along with Chemo Prep Items, Gifts for Friends/Family Recently Diagnosed, My Favorite Beauty Products, and everything that’s in our Cancer Care Bags that’s on Amazon. Also, be sure to use Amazon Smile and add Bloom Foundation Gives as your non-profit.
These are a few of my favorite things:
The Bag: Shop Forward 4 Things Cancer Edition Tote
Someone sent me one of these bags! I love everything about the brand, the foundation it supports, and aspire to be a foundation as giving as Shop Forward one day. It all started with reaching out to them first, asking if I could get a discount on bulk order or if they would be interested in donating a few. They responded with the kindest email saying they would like to donate them, and it warmed my heart so much it was off to the races for me to get it filled up in time to give them out on my birthday! THANK YOU, Shop Forward and Espwa. It all started with your generosity!
Oh, my goodness. If you've never experienced the luxury of this brand, you have to get yourself at least a pair of socks. I received one of these blankets as a gift, and it changed my life. SO SOFT, so comforting and just really the only blanket you'll need. I have the adult Cozy-Chic, and while I wish we could afford 10 of those, I was able to get a discount of the cute starfish baby blankets made out of the same material for cheaper, they’re not as bulky to carry to chemo and the perfect lap size. My favorite item in the bag tbh. Warning: all of your nurses and everyone will want to touch your blanket, you will want them too because it's so soft… you've been warned germaphobes.
I discovered this amazing brand from a friend about two years ago. I went through a journal, then found the app, and it is now a daily practice. Daily gratitude is a must, and this journal is an easy way to make it a habit. Plus, they donated ten journals, and it made me love them even more. THANK YOU! Here’s a link to order your own (https://www.intelligentchange.com/?rfsn=1464794.271054)
A MUST READ, I repeat MUST READ! This changed my whole mindset on my cancer and gave me so much hope. I credit it to how well I’m doing right now.
A part of my morning routine with my daily devotional, meditation, and five-minute journal, that just always knows what to say and when to say it.
Recently I was just craving gummies for some reason and came across these at Target and saw the only 3g of sugar, but when I saw the fiber content, I was so pumped. I struggle with constipation, and these became my best friends. Plus, they just happen to be so tasty! A good snack that helps combat chemo side effects and low in sugar, perfect for cancer patients.
KOIA Free Coupon
Chemo, treatment, surgeries all the things it can be hard to eat if you're lucky even to have an appetite or taste. I discovered this brand of plant protein drinks and instantly became hooked. 18g of protein 190 calories and like 3g of sugar. Plus, they make delicious flavors, a dairy-free coffee, some have MCT oil. I try to have one a day to get some extra calories and protein in. Plus, the company has sent so many free coupons that I am grateful to share in hopes you can ditch a nasty protein drink you're forcing down with weird ingredients. THANK YOU!
Cancer Pants
It’s surprisingly hard to find metal-free clothes and very frustrating when you don't have them. That was my first break down with cancer. When I had to do weeks full of scans and had nothing to wear that was cute, comfy, and had no metal on them or in them. All of my comfies were Lululemon and made out of fabrics with metal in them, so I couldn’t wear them unless I wanted my pants to catch on fire! Then they make you wear the gown with no pants and your butt just hanging out and legs cold against the table. Thus our Scholarship Director, California based born to tie-dye wizard, and I got to work on finding some cancer approved pants and turned them into something FUN to wear to your scans to keep you cute, warm, and comfy!
A reminder to choose love over fear in all you do. I designed these for our first T-shirt fundraiser, a reminder that is at our foundations’ core.
Love Over Fear Hats
It’s just hair. Choose love and enjoy this new look! But if you want to cover up or block the sun here’s a hat to do just that in.
Hangover Helmets (aka cancer helmets)
These amazing helmets are a friends company who kindly donated multiple helmets to me and were my saving grace after brain radiation, during hot flashes and anytime I have a headache. If anyone ever asks me what chemo is like my worst chemo days are like how most people feel on January 1, you’re worst hangover. These helmets help with chemo/radiation side effects and alcohol-induced hangovers! THANK YOU!
Plantable Sunshine Cards
I got the idea for these from a gift my real estate team gave to our clients for spring. You plant the sunshine and as you grow through cancer you watch your plant grow with you!
Your Boobiful Keychain
Just a daily reminder, you’re boobiful!
Being of Power
While Radical Hope is a must cancer read, if you have cancer or not this book is by my yoga instructor and founder of Baptiste Yoga, Baron Baptiste, but you don’t have to be a yogi to relate to this read. It helped me start a practice of embracing a new authenticity which I stepped into more once diagnosed with cancer but this gave me the platform. Also generously donated, THANK YOU!
Clean Products from Dr. Bronners/Native Deodorant/SuperGoop Sunscreen
I encourage you to make the transition to products with no chemicals. These are a few products I started using once diagnosed. I also use clean makeup products, Sephora sells some great brands like Milk, The Drunk Elephant, for the eyebrows and a few others. Your skin is an organ and soaks up whatever you put on it. Eliminating toxins and chemicals from your daily products is a must, in my opinion. Especially deodorant! If you change one product please make that it. Detoxing from a deodorant can take time and be smelly but it is SO worth it. I tried multiple clean deodorants and this brand Native is my favorite if I even wear it. My body has gotten so used to not needing deodorant I really don’t use it much anymore and only smell when I’m stressed. But there is so much bad stuff in deodorants that can cause things like breast cancer to occur. Knowing what you’re putting on your body, just as important as what you put in it. Just google your current deodorant ingredients. I dare ya!