Whether a parent is ill or not, never leave one "I love you" unsaid or one hug unhugged. When my parents died all the "I love you's" had been said, all the hugs hugged, and anything else that could have been done for them had been. They knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were loved beyond reason. If you do that for your mother, there's no greater gift for either of you. It will help in her recovery too. Love and laughter are some of the best cancer fighters. A few hundred miles isn't a bad trip to make once a month or so. Call her often and laugh. Read Ditter's jokes to her, let her know you care, send her a new nightie, or make her a tote bag to take to the chemo sessions. I've gone through these with two of my friends and they need a tote to take a small snack, book, magazine, blanket or other such things in. If she looses her hair make her some chemo caps. Not all chemo causes hair loss.