How to help a cancer patient undergoing treatment with nutrition?

Posted by mh2023 @mh2023, Dec 27, 2023

Hello, family member is currently going through chemo and radiation but is barely eating anything at all due to nausea. Could anyone provide me with ideas on what I can do to help with this situation? Thank you.

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thebgyn123 | @thebgyn123 | Jan 4 2:22am

In reply to @cris2 "How do you get pills down if throat and mouth is sore, asking a head of..." + (show)

Ask pharmacy for liquid medicine when possible
Or break pills into acceptable sizes of powder.

thebgyn123 | @thebgyn123 | Jan 4 2:26am

I have lymph nodes draining causing turkey neck under chin. I've seen a massage therapist who is showing me how to help it drain.
Does anyone have any other ways to get this fixed?

thebgyn123 | @thebgyn123 | Jan 4 8:17am

In reply to @mojo244 "As for me, I was assigned to a nutritionist and she rode my butt daily to..." + (show)

I had the sugar conversation with the nutritionist but still needed to take the high caloric shakes to get the weight stabilized. It's a decision that's not easy to make. My weight is coming back slowly so I am cutting down now on the high sugar food. But the point is well taken. I had the same questions.

7881188 | @7881188 | Jan 6 9:38pm

The best way we found to crush pills was using a small stone mortar and pestle we found at World Market, then dissolved in warm water.

stephenrfleury | @stephenrfleury | Jan 7 9:38am

In reply to @thebgyn123 "I have lymph nodes draining causing turkey neck under chin. I've seen a massage therapist who..." + (show)

I experienced lymphedema after radiation for SCC on the base of the tongue and a few lymph nodes. I was able to procure a pneumatic device called Flexitouch Plus. It worked almost immediately and I used it daily for 32 minutes for 18 months. It was quite expensive, but was not covered by Medicare, but paid in full by my secondary insurance.

It must be prescribed by your care team. Good luck!

jazzyjoy | @jazzyjoy | Jan 7 9:58am

In reply to @stephenrfleury "I experienced lymphedema after radiation for SCC on the base of the tongue and a few..." + (show)

I bought an ice cream maker and put the nutritional drinks in the smoothies and added some bananas and maple syrup etc and everything was easier to eat when it was cold like ice cream.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 7 6:41pm

In reply to @grammyd "My husband just went through the same treatment. He also was so nauseous he couldn't eat...." + (show)

Oh gosh, @grammyd. That must've been frightening for you to see your husband lose so much weight and require a blood transfusion. How is he doing now? Did he have surgery? How are YOU doing?