usvi-on-line
help with menu for person undergoing chemotherapy
help with menu for person undergoing chemotherapy
You all are so helpful and supportive, I am hoping you ca help me with this--as many of you know, my husband's dad passed away in mid march--we found out a week ago that his mom (who has NEVER been sick in the 20 years i have know her) has lung cancer--we found out on saturday that it is stage 4 (It has metastasized to the ribs) and barring a miracle, is not curable. She will be starting chemo in two weeks and i hpe that can add some quality time for her--my brother in law (who is up in toronto where she is) has been the main support person--We will be travelling up there in a few weeks and i wanted to take some of the pressure off of him and make some freezable meals that would be appealing and healthy options for someone undergoing chemo. My FIL was a great cook --so my MIL has been spoiled! But I would like to try to provide her with some easy options and give my brother in law a bit of respite as well--any and all recipe sugggestions would be greatly appreciated--just as long as it freezes well--thanks again forum family!
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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GraysonDave
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:41 am
- Location: Georgia
Chemo patients need protein, so meat, fish, and eggs are good.
Some fruits and veggies are verboten. The immune system will be weakened by the chemo so things like lettuce and broccoli that can't be easily washed are out. Strawberries are the worst because of the little tiny pits that can hold unhealthy stuff. Chemo can cause mouth sores so highly acidic citrus fruit might not be good.
The chemo will change the patient's sense of taste so it's not an easy question. I suggest stuff like chicken and rice soup and maybe some banana bread. Best of luck.
Some fruits and veggies are verboten. The immune system will be weakened by the chemo so things like lettuce and broccoli that can't be easily washed are out. Strawberries are the worst because of the little tiny pits that can hold unhealthy stuff. Chemo can cause mouth sores so highly acidic citrus fruit might not be good.
The chemo will change the patient's sense of taste so it's not an easy question. I suggest stuff like chicken and rice soup and maybe some banana bread. Best of luck.
Loria, I am so sorry to hear about Gordon's mom. To begin with, now is the time for honest, frank conversations about what her wishes are for treatment. Family's hardest role is to support the patient's wishes--especially if the goals are not congruent.
A part of the conversation can be what foods sound good to her. Sometimes what sounds good that will be eaten will be more important than a nutritionally sound meal. Perhaps a favorite meal from her marriage or something from her childhood will be most appealing. However, the idea that you care enough to try to find something she will like, may be the trick to getting her to eat.
Chemo will change taste, energy levels, and risk to the immune system. Not all patients are on isolation, so it is important to ask. Food can become a negative because everyone wants to push nutrition and a full dinner plate may be overwhelming. Smaller salad plates and snacks offered throughout the day may be more acceptable.
There are also several nutritional supplements that I like. Things like Ensure are normally too sweet or taste too metalic for most patients, but Juven comes unflavored now and can be mixed in anyting hot or cold and will offer a mix of amino acids including glutamine.
Be alert to mouth ulcerations that can occur 2-4 weeks into chemo and do ask about predicted hair loss. My best friend Joanna opted to shave her head and take control of the cancer. The hair was my job and I found it harder than Joanna who felt empowered by her decsion.
If your MIL is thin, there is a risk of skin breakdown. Maintaining mobility will help prevent this and help with appetite. If she in not moving normally, frequent position changes and pressure relief will be important to maximize comfort. Please call if there is anything I can help with. Diana
A part of the conversation can be what foods sound good to her. Sometimes what sounds good that will be eaten will be more important than a nutritionally sound meal. Perhaps a favorite meal from her marriage or something from her childhood will be most appealing. However, the idea that you care enough to try to find something she will like, may be the trick to getting her to eat.
Chemo will change taste, energy levels, and risk to the immune system. Not all patients are on isolation, so it is important to ask. Food can become a negative because everyone wants to push nutrition and a full dinner plate may be overwhelming. Smaller salad plates and snacks offered throughout the day may be more acceptable.
There are also several nutritional supplements that I like. Things like Ensure are normally too sweet or taste too metalic for most patients, but Juven comes unflavored now and can be mixed in anyting hot or cold and will offer a mix of amino acids including glutamine.
Be alert to mouth ulcerations that can occur 2-4 weeks into chemo and do ask about predicted hair loss. My best friend Joanna opted to shave her head and take control of the cancer. The hair was my job and I found it harder than Joanna who felt empowered by her decsion.
If your MIL is thin, there is a risk of skin breakdown. Maintaining mobility will help prevent this and help with appetite. If she in not moving normally, frequent position changes and pressure relief will be important to maximize comfort. Please call if there is anything I can help with. Diana
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Lori I haven't been here on the forum for awhile and just saw this. I'm so sorry.
Rick has mostly been able to eat the same kinds of foods he always did, but at some points developed the dry 'chemo mouth' mentioned above. That made it hard to eat spicy or acidic foods and softer foods felt better (chicken breast, etc.) His appetite has kind of come and gone. (Although different chemos have affected him in different ways.) I think the frozen / reheatable meals are a great idea.
You got some good food suggestions above so here are some other thoughts...
I'm not sure what kind of chemo is most common for lung cancer, but some of them seem to be more prone to cause neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet.) If she has any tingling or numbness please have her call her doc right away to get some meds before it gets worse. Or she can get a Rx in advance for combatting it. (Sometimes it can take a very long time to go away.) If she has alot of wooden floors or stairs or tile that might be slippery, getting her some socks or slippers with non-stick stuff on the bottom might help her keep her balance if her feet get numb.
Rick got a nice quilt from the sewing group at our church. He brings it with him to get his chemo infusions - keeps him warm both physically and emotionally. Maybe you could pick up a blanket or quilt that your kids and others could sign with fabric markers, and she could bring that with her to her treatments.
Finally, if you BIL starts to feel overwhelmed with phone calls from well wishers, etc., let him know about CaringBridge. That has been a blessing to us to keep people informed of Rick's status without fielding daily (possibly upsetting) phone calls. And he loves reading the messages people leave him there.
Best of luck and prayers to you and your extended family.
Katie
Rick has mostly been able to eat the same kinds of foods he always did, but at some points developed the dry 'chemo mouth' mentioned above. That made it hard to eat spicy or acidic foods and softer foods felt better (chicken breast, etc.) His appetite has kind of come and gone. (Although different chemos have affected him in different ways.) I think the frozen / reheatable meals are a great idea.
You got some good food suggestions above so here are some other thoughts...
I'm not sure what kind of chemo is most common for lung cancer, but some of them seem to be more prone to cause neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet.) If she has any tingling or numbness please have her call her doc right away to get some meds before it gets worse. Or she can get a Rx in advance for combatting it. (Sometimes it can take a very long time to go away.) If she has alot of wooden floors or stairs or tile that might be slippery, getting her some socks or slippers with non-stick stuff on the bottom might help her keep her balance if her feet get numb.
Rick got a nice quilt from the sewing group at our church. He brings it with him to get his chemo infusions - keeps him warm both physically and emotionally. Maybe you could pick up a blanket or quilt that your kids and others could sign with fabric markers, and she could bring that with her to her treatments.
Finally, if you BIL starts to feel overwhelmed with phone calls from well wishers, etc., let him know about CaringBridge. That has been a blessing to us to keep people informed of Rick's status without fielding daily (possibly upsetting) phone calls. And he loves reading the messages people leave him there.
Best of luck and prayers to you and your extended family.
Katie
