Hello,
So second post, its been a while since my last one. They've stopped all chemo treatment with mum and we know we don't have long. She's in hospital and I guess the realisation that this is going to be slow and painful is a tough one to bear. You prepare and try and prevent the final outcome and in the end it doesn't just happen as you expected. Its all been very emotional but I haven't really been doing anything just sitting around. As a result I have a lot pent up energy and frustration that I thought I might channel by writing this post which hopefully might be useful for someone. My first post was asking for ideas from other people within the forum for ideas and now I thought I would return the favour by sharing my own.
Before I start I am not a trained nutritionist by any stretch of the imagination but I really really struggled to get mum to eat whilst she was undergoing Chemo. Through a process of trial and error here are some of the things that worked - again check with your own dietician/consultants teams etc before trying.
First thing - get them to graze and be a little firm if needed during chemo. Chances are they will not want to eat and will get cross or angry or stroppy with you. Ignore it and carry on. I think I always found it hard to strike the balance of when to be persistent and when to give in and not talk to mum about food. If they are undergoing chemo keep on at them. If they've stopped then you may consider allowing them some space.
Increase Fluid Intake
Robinson's Lemon Barley Water: Mum got through bottles of this stuff, I wish I had known about it sooner. There may come a time when water will be repulsive to them (largely to do with metallic taste in their mouths) add a bit of this and they should be able to take it in.
Squeezed fresh Lemon Juice (1/2 a lemon in warm water) everyday.
Fresh pineapple chunks - mum chewed on the chunks and chucked it out - useful for refreshing the palette
Complimentary homeopathy - I don't believe that this stuff works but for mum she was desperate to try anything. The only reason why I would suggest having some kind of complimentary homeopathic treatment alongside the chemo is that increases water intake. So maybe try something that will improve the taste buds, or increase appetite or decrease stress. It works by diluting powder into water and continuing the course over 7 days - at the very least it might work as a placebo and make them more positive. Always go to a registered homeopathic practitioner.
Increasing calorie intake - Food that doesn't smell
As well as finding it difficult to consume food, the smell might also be off putting. Here are a few things that might work.
- Fresubin Apricot and Peach 2KCal drink - a bit like milk shake and Fresubin Juicy - Orange. There's a range of flavours but these were the ones that smelt the least. You can get samples from nutritionist so do try them out. There are also mousses and yougurts and soups in this range. About 3 or 4 of these things a day will ensure they are getting enough calories but every little helps.
- Maxijule Super Soluble Powder - double check with nutritionist that this is okay but I put this stuff in almost everything. It's loaded with calories and tasteless, so a spoonful of this stuff went water, tea, soup etc
- instant Powder vegetable soup - the cheaper the better
- Macaroni and cheese
- French Fries
- Nuts - Cashew nuts, peatnuts (minus salt) great to nibble on
- Sweet Apricot Kernels (apparently a boost against cancer cells)
- Sesame crackers
- Crackers
- Rich tea biscuits
- Full butter croissants
- Green leafy vegetables cooked in a bit of oil with salt and plain white rice
The key is always little an often. Never place a full plate of food in front of them. Just keep an eye on the clock and every hour or couple of hours place a handful of something near them and get them to graze on it.
And finally take care of your self and make sure you're eating and looking after yourself. You will be far more useful to them by giving 80% of yourself over 6 months to them than 100% over a month and burning yourself out.
Lots of love Lim xxx
