https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:17:22 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-help-out-of-town-friend-going-thru-scary-medical-situation#post-2036694 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:01:21 +0000 78h2o 2036694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my friend had cancer and lived across the country from me, I sent A LOT of care packages, cards, emails, texts, etc. She said sometimes they arrived on days that she was really struggling and they helped. </p> <p>We used a website called Lotsa Helping Hands to schedule local friends to drop off meals, clean, etc. Even if you aren't local, you could maybe take a night and have groceries or take out delivered. </p> <p>One friend arranged for an accupuncturist to come to the house to help with nausea relief. We sent gift cards for spa treatments, made her CDs, made her scrapbooks with nice messages/inspirational quotes and pics of her and all her loved ones. Another friend took her on a short cruise once she was medically stable to celebrate the end of chemo. Another friend planned a one night getaway for her and her boyfriend at a nice hotel in her town.</p> <p>At one point, I organized an effort to get other federal employees to donate their paid leave to her leave account. My husband works for a different branch of the fed government, but he was able to circulate her information at work. So maybe something like or a fundraiser if they could use assistance? My friend did not want donations of money (just leave), but other people might want/need it. I'd just check first.</p> <p>I am sorry you and your friend are going through this. I hope she has a good outcome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-help-out-of-town-friend-going-thru-scary-medical-situation#post-2036673 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:47:40 +0000 Mae 2036673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>maybe go together and get a couple sessions of maid service? or I like the gift cards idea. definitely to places that will deliver/you can get take-out from. Also just text her a lot. Not just the week it happens or the next week, but regularly and ongoing and without expectation of response. My brother spent a few months in the hospital several different times and I think it was hard for him that after the initial surgeries people sort of got on with their lives and stopped checking in so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-help-out-of-town-friend-going-thru-scary-medical-situation#post-2036631 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:22:59 +0000 babynumber1 2036631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gift cards for resteraunts would be awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-help-out-of-town-friend-going-thru-scary-medical-situation#post-2036491 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:11:05 +0000 BeachMama 2036491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of my very best friends is having surgery next week to remove a brain tumor she recently was diagnosed with. She has a husband and a 1.5 year old daughter. Her mother and MIL are going to be staying w them to help out over the next month or so. My group of friends would really like to help out in any way we can, but we live in CA and she lives in Ohio. If I lived close by I'd drop off meals, clean, babysit, etc but obviously I can't do any of that from here. Other than sending care packages, I'm at a loss for something that would really help them out. Any ideas?? </p>