Facing a mastectomy is a significant step, and preparing for recovery is just as important. Whether you're planning for yourself or supporting a loved one, these essentials, gathered from my own experience with both a double mastectomy and an explant surgery, will make your or your loved one's post-op journey smoother and more comfortable.

Supporting a loved one through chemotherapy can be challenging, and finding the perfect gift to offer comfort and care can make a significant difference in their journey. At CaraKit, we understand the importance of thoughtful, meaningful gifts that provide both physical relief and emotional support. Here are the top 10 comfort gifts for someone undergoing chemotherapy, curated to bring a sense of warmth, love, and comfort during this tough time.

Going through chemotherapy is an intense and often exhausting experience. Finding the right comfort items can make a significant difference in helping patients feel more at ease and cared for during this challenging time. At CaraKit, we believe in providing thoughtful, meaningful products that bring both physical relief and emotional comfort. Here are some of our top recommendations for comfort items that can make a world of difference for chemotherapy patients.

I’d never been a “pink” sort of girl.  When I was little, my favorite color was yellow; it defines my disposition–sunny, optimistic and “it all happens for a reason.”  Until breast cancer.  

I was diagnosed at 44—a mom with 2 and 5 year old little boys–one month after COVID shut us all down.  I had a hard time finding the silver lining, especially when friends started sending me ALL THE PINK THINGS.  Pink socks, pink notebooks, pink mugs, pink blankets, pink candles.  There were breast cancer and pink ribbon gifts in every shade from bubble gum to fuschia.

I’m writing this from my chair at the chemo infusion center.  It’s not all sad—and that’s the story I want to share.  There are lots of us who need a tragedy to change. 

I found a lump in March of 2020, a month after the pandemic lock-down and 1 month after my “all clear” mammogram.  A giant tumor was hiding behind dense tissue.  It happens 20% of the time they said.  I wondered how that was ever an ok statistic?

"May we live into our truest calling as people who give and receive grace, forgiveness, and love.",  Emily P. Freeman

The thing about hardship—whether it’s a prolonged illness, a frightening diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, or any other kind of trial—is that it strips away our filters. We’re often running on empty, caught in survival mode, and just trying to make it through the day. Whether you're the one in the thick of it or walking alongside someone who is, those moments tend to surface our deepest patterns and coping mechanisms. As Brené Brown puts it, fear often sends us running back to our “old friends”—those ingrained habits we developed to protect ourselves. I can only speak for myself; mine aren’t pretty.

When a close family member is diagnosed with cancer, it can be devastating. Your loved one will go through so much during his or her treatment—but the truth is, so will you. Keeping your strength and spirits up will be critical in the battle ahead, so if you’re one of the soldiers in this fight, here are a few tools to help along the way.

I’m a gifter.  Like a plan-all-year, wrap for days, ship coast-to-coast, proud gift-giver for holidays, birthdays and everything in between.  But when my friend was diagnosed with cancer, I drew a blank.  What do you give someone going through the worst days of their life?  Flowers?  Food?  All of it seemed not quite right.  What could I give that would be practical and useful but also thoughtful and sympathetic?  How was I going to put together the equivalent of a cancer care-package without any knowledge or experience with what she’s going through? How could I help?