Cancer chemo/radiatin question

Dani53

Dani53

Cathlete
I know this is an odd topic, but I have an uncle who was recently diagosed with throat cancer. He is undergoing weeks of chemo and radiation currently, although he is nearly finished with it.

My question is kind of silly, but I am going to visit him at home tomorrow and would like to bring him something. Is there any food that is particularly soothing or comforting? I assume to stay away from acidic things because of mouth sores but that is all I can think of.

I adore my uncle but realize just how little I truly know him when I am struggling so much with a gift for him. I don't think it has to be food but idea of bringing a meal or a treat of some kind is really on my heart to do.

Any ideas? Not that I hope anyone here has gone through this, but if you have and I can learn from that experience it would be helpful.
 
Have you thought about getting him a fruit basket? You can usually add in a gift of your own in them. Fruit and veggies are on of the best for cancer paticents. Also since he'd done Chemo he needs a mega dosage of protein. It's very very evil on your blood cells, so make sure anyone with a cold stays away from him.

But I would get him something that would entertain him. Those hospital trips are boring, and when he's not sicker then a dog, all he really has got is the TV to look at. So if he likes cross word puzzels, cards, books to read, any particular subject he might be fond of? History, cars, racing, etc. Just think back, to when you've spent time with him and what he's said and things he seemed to have or like. That is usually the best way to go, if your going to get a gift.

Kit
 
Dani, I've been through my mom's cancer and several friends. I'm so sorry to hear your uncle is suffering.

The kind of gift really depends on what kind of chemo he's getting and how much. Many people are horribly nauseous and the sight/smell of food is unpleasant for them. A friend of mine had cancer of the esophagus and she loved pineapple! She said it settled her stomach but she may be the exception.

I'd probably stay away from food items in general. Oh, maybe some homemade soup might be palatable - that's an idea Otherwise, I'd probably bring something you think might bring him comfort - a cushy pillow, slippers, a soft throw, something like that.

Hope this helps,
Lexy
 
I just got an email from him that said he has lost just shy of 30 pounds in the last 6 weeks. He needs to build his strength back up for the next round of his treatment with involves a CAT scan to see how much the tumor has gone down and if it is operable. We pray that it is, but he can't have surgury until he is more able to handle it. Step by step isn't it?

He said his appetite is shot but he would love to eat to build up again that is why I am asking more about food, although I love the other ideas. The blanket thought it cool to me because it reminds me of wrapping him with a big hug:)

I guess with the protein needs I could make him a nice chicken soup with lots of veggies. He lives about an hour away, but if I made it today it could be cooled and packaged for travel tomorrow.
 
If you decide to make the soup, just make sure the pieces are fairly small. I remember my mom liking stuff that was smooth - not a lot of chewing. Guess it got the stomach acids going and she would feel sick. She also lived on protein shakes or milkshakes with protein powders added. Another thing - chemo patients tend to lose their ability to taste food like they used to. Everything tastes bland. That's why I think the nice smell of chicken soup may be soothing.

My only other suggestion is to watch for what his needs are. My mom would sometimes LOVE to be hugged and coddled and other times she'd say, "Geez, let me do it. I'm not dead yet." She was right.

:)
Lexy
 
Good advice Lexy and encouraging too. I have a terrible sinus infection going right now and cannot smell or taste much. That was something I was worried about, and possibly overseasoning. I guess if his taste is down I won't have to fret as much over salt;-) I also like the idea of small chopped veggies. I will definitely do that.

The earlier post about fruit got me thinking of juicing for him, or smoothies with protein but I am too far away to make it fresh. I could get him all the stuff though and he could put it together....cause as you mom said "he's not dead yet" (and you gotta love that sass!)
 
Dani, stay away from salt if he's on chemo, I ended up taking some chemo to knock down a Lupus flair, just some can chicken soup and I turned into a water ballon.

Whwat Lexy suggested is very good. When I was stuck going to the hospital a lot, I always like to have something to take my mind off things, so I always tried to bring a book or a cross word, or my laptop depending on the stay. I also would sometimes drag my x-stitch along with me.

You may even want to treat him to a home cooked meal depending on how tired and weak he is. When your strength is gone, just lifting a pot of water, feels like a 40 pound weight. Even if you take all the food over and cook it in his house I'm sure he'd apprecate it so he doesn't have to workout for dinner.

Also since he's looking to get stronger you may want to grab some stretchy bands, about every physical therapist uses them and thats bascially the first thing they start you on, so if he has is own he can do it on his own time. Some time PTs will give you the bands, but other times, they cost extra if you want to take them home. So that might be one way to go as well. As I'm sure the doctors will have him in physcial therapy once the chemo is done if they don't alreay have him in it. As it really depends on the exact kind of chemo as sometimes they have you exercise as much as you can or they won't let you until it's all done.

And the smoothie mix would be an awesome idea, as when you lose strength going to the store and geting things because a whole new workout, one that you always too for granted and had no idea that pushing a shoping cart could be so tough. I lost nearly all my strength so I really understand when they say he's not ready for surgery and needs to get stronger. So the smoothie mix is a great idea.

As the one thing I really apprecated was someone putting food in tupperware and stuffing in my freezer for me to eat at a later date. To me it was the most thoughtful thing that they could have done.

Good luck I'm sure you'll have a wonderful gift that your uncle will apprecate, and I'm sure he'll know just how much you care about him.

Kit
 
I know that my MIL couldn't eat anything sweet.Even the slightest thing would taste 10 X sweeter then it actually was.
Lori:)
 
Maybe you should ask him what he enjoys at this time and use this as a guide.
When my daughter was having chemo she couldn't eat a lot of things.. salty or sweet so everyone is different.
Kelly
 
NOt speaking from the chemo side of things but i'm a radiation oncology nurse and i can tell you what we tell our throat/chest/mouth cancer patients.
Nothing spicy/hot/salty/hard to chew. We recommend soft foods, bland foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes etc... Soup sounds good if it is soft, he can let it cool to his liking. Chances are he has a medicine we give all our patients that numbs the mouth and throat, so his taste might be off anyway. We give them all ensure or somthing similar to that. You might also want to be sure he isn't diabetic which would factor into your choices.

If you choose to take him a food product maybe some homemade pudding or a soft dessert (providing he's not diabetic), as far as smoothies go, no acidic (oranges etc..). We had one patient who loved different breads like banana, zucchini etc.....

Another idea could be anything inspirational like books, videos, etc....

if he lost any hair he would probably love a neat hat.

And tell him he is in our prayers!!!
 
Hi Dani! You've gotten some great ideas. I just wanted to add my thoughts and prayers for your uncle. Give him a big hug! That will be a great dose of something he needs I bet! Keep us posted and a big hug to you too.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Definatly stay away from food. Get him something else, knit him a blanket, get him a book.

People who have this treatment sometimes can get immunodeficient. I work in a hospital and had a conversation with one of our microbiologists. A patient was getting chemo and rad treatment and was very low in white count. One of his family members brought him a piece of cake from a supermarket. Well, it had some light mold in it. Nothing obvious, and it would have been fine if anyone else had eaten it. The patient inhaled the mold when eating it and the mold went into his sinus and lodged there and killed him.

If you must give him food, make sure it's super fresh!!! No fruit, no cakes, no breads. Nothing that can carry bacteria or mold. Those things can be more dangerous that you know.
 
Thanks everyone!! I have gotten some good ideas and while I can't get them all done by today, I will go down armed with some things to let him know he is loved.

I made a delicious soup with lots of fresh veggies (chopped small) and shredded chicken. I am hoping all the vitamins and protein will do him good. I plan to package it in small zip locks that he can use at will.

I am also going to get him a cozy throw blanket and a nice book.

Thanks for all the ideas and good healthy information. I took a little bit of everything and I will have other things to bring for another visit. I have been learning to knit so I plan to make him a scarf this week, and hopefully a hat as someone suggested.

I am praying too of course, and that is most important of all. As a Christian I believe with my whole heart it is the best thing I can "do" but I still can't help wanting to DO something. I am a big believer in showing love and not just telling it;-)

Thanks again to all of you terrific ladies!
 
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