| Author | |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2014 at 7:22am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I'm wondering if anyone could advise me on how to help a friend. She has been diagnosed with uterine cancer and begins chemo therapy / radiation treatments in a couple of days. We've been praying for her but I would like to help her in some other way, I just don't know exactly what to do.
I plan to take meals over to them at least weekly, mostly for her husband who will be caring for her. Her children are grown and live in other states. They will be visiting, I'm sure, but it will mostly just be my friend and her husband.
My own father died of cancer when I was young. My mother said the chemo made him very ill and he had a hard time with cooking odors in the house. I'm hoping that if I cook soups and things like that here and take them over, her husband can just heat them up. I don't know if she will feel like eating or not.
Any advice you can give would be appreciated!
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Servant2theKing
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 13 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1505
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2014 at 8:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I recently discovered QueaseEase ~ a product designed by a nurse for those suffering from chemo, motion sickness, etc. It's very helpful for any kind of nausea. Your friend might find QueseEase useful during her chemo treatments. While searching for products for nauseas many similar items showed up ~ reviews often mention which items have been useful for chemo. A health food store might carry remedies that would be useful with chemo or radiation treatment.
When a friend was going through cancer treatment we made several soups and put them in quart canning jars for her family. I think we made homemade chicken noodle, split pea, tomato vegetable beef. The jars work well for soup and are easily transported. If you have wide mouth jars, those can be easier to fill and empty, and be simpler to wash.
Pray More Novenas happens to be starting a novena for cancer patients starting tomorrow. We will keep your friend in our prayers.
__________________
All for Christ, our Saviour and King, servant
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2014 at 11:35am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I can only go off of what my Mom is experiencing right now, but she doesn't like the smells of any cooking and she isn't really eating much. When food is provided it's more for her dh than her. Despite that, it is important to keep the care givers healthy and well fed too!
In that same vein it has been important for my mom's dh to get a break too. So, at the right time you can offer to stay with your friend and give him a night off.
Other things that might be nice are helping your friend still feel beautiful when going through an ugly treatment. Maybe some special hats (although what is liked and needed is a highly personal choice). Or some new slippers and lounge cloths. My Mom has also been REALLY cold. So maybe a nice blanket or something along those lines.
Besides that...PRAY! So often I feel like there really isn't anything anyone can do. It's a long journey that needs to be traveled. Just be open to helping and keep trying things. From all of my experience with cancer I can say two things for sure:
::Don't pity the person with cancer. My Dad use to say how he hated going out and people would just look at him with that "look". When you are with people often silence is the best. Just being with someone without dwelling on the situation or making light of it is the best.
::The second is don't constantly ask the person what they want. They are dealing with so much that the last thing they want to do it manage how you or anyone can help them. Try to read the situation and provided help or privately ask their care giver. As Nike would say, "Just Do It!" and don't be offend if it's not exactly what they needed/wanted. Also, don't make them beg for help, either.
Okay, this is rambling off the top of my head...I will let you know if I think of anything else....
__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2014 at 12:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you Servant and Betsy. Those are helpful ideas.
Servant, I have so many canning jars! That would make the perfect thing to deliver soup in. I receive the "pray more novenas" emails and I'm planning to start the novena for cancer patients tomorrow. Love that site!
Betsy, I will keep your mom in prayer while I am praying for my friend. Thank you for sharing your experienced advice. I didn't think about sitting with my friend so her dh can take a break. I will certainly keep that in mind! My friend is quite a reader. But I know, when I am nauseated, that reading is out of the question. I wonder if she would appreciate being read to?
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: Jan 07 2014 at 1:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Becky Parker wrote:
My friend is quite a reader. But I know, when I am nauseated, that reading is out of the question. I wonder if she would appreciate being read to?
|
|
|
My Mom isn't huge reader, but since July she hasn't wanted to read or do any sudkos. She is just getting to a place where is starting to think abut those types of things again (post 3 rounds of chemo, surgery, 2 more rounds of chemo)
So, I can only guess that your friend won't feel much like reading for a while. However, I think that she might like being read to or listening to books on tape to keep her mind busy--especially if she wakes up in the middle of the night.
My Mom is watching a TON of TV. Just a easy diversion. However, she is so sick of it. So, maybe a well curated group of movies might me nice too?
Becky, you are such a good and caring friend! 
__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Friend with cancer
