topic Re: Coping with emotions in Coping with a loved one's cancer

Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 03:31:01 GMT

Hi, my mother has stomach cancer and she's starting her first treatment this week... I don't know what to expect as shes not eating well already,and if she dosent have appetite she will loose even more weight . Anyone know of any protien rich soups or drinks that it easy to digest for cancer patients??

Re: Coping with emotions

kj — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 09:05:38 GMT

brenda2020

Possibly hospital sustagen powder mixed in milk or water ,if your Mum can take the milk a blended banana added is ok as well .I found mushy scrambled eggs was my go to but I didn’t have stomach cancer,good luck finding what helps ,trial and error.

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 12:19:04 GMT

thankyou 🙂

she loves having soft boiled eggs in the morning so hope that will help her.

Re: Coping with emotions

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 15:54:24 GMT

@brenda2020

Can Mum tolerate dairy? Some tips hubby got given by the hospital dietician included fortifying regular milk with skim milk powder and using this for making custard, smoothies and yoghurt adds protein as does adding legumes, meat or milk to soup.

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:46:26 GMT

unfortunately dairy is no good for her. she cant have milk or yogurt. also unable to digest any meat or chicken so well.. so its really difficult for me at the moment, trying to get her to eat things with high protein. Having all veggies and fruit smoothies at the moment. lucky she can have cucumbers and tomatoes....

Re: Coping with emotions

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:01:34 GMT

@brenda2020

Lentils or chick peas could be an option, almonds (?almond milk) and peanut butter are also good sources of protein.

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:07:12 GMT

thanks so much for the suggestions Darcy. i wrote them down to look into it! i didnt think of almond milk. that might be a good alternative! 🙂

Re: Coping with emotions

Missbritz — Fri, 01 May 2020 06:17:31 GMT

There is a protein shake called Orgaine made by a previous cancer survivor. It is filled with superfoods too. I got ours at Target. I'm not sure if your mom would do well with it, but mine did and she is very finicky.

Re: Coping with emotions

Anonymous — Sun, 10 May 2020 00:13:44 GMT

How is Mum going with her eating @brenda2020 ?

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Sun, 10 May 2020 01:40:01 GMT

not too well actually.. feeling heavy in the stomach after eating ANYTHING. she looks weaker, and we have our 2nd chemo treatment next week. we are hopefully going to see a dietitian and the doctor Tuesday to see if she is well enough to start the next treatment. shes trying her best to eat- but its very hard to digest for her.. walking up and down the house the get it digested..

Re: Coping with emotions

Anonymous — Sun, 10 May 2020 02:38:00 GMT

@brenda2020

Emotional times, when things are acute I think we as caregivers run on autopilot. Are you able to slip in an occasional 5 minute self care moment?

Re: Coping with emotions

Victorious — Sun, 10 May 2020 10:19:16 GMT

Sorry to hear your mum is not eating well. Have you tried giving her Sustagen (twice a day)? Or try blending stews or soups into a puree or thin liquid form.

Re: Coping with emotions

Victorious — Sun, 10 May 2020 10:37:15 GMT

I’ll remember this drink should my husband need it. He has oesophageal cancer and is currently resting to recover for a major surgery early June. He is finding it hard to swallow, so I blend his meals.

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:36:58 GMT

she drinks sustegen with water , 3 spoons with 200ml water. unfortunately milk is no good for her. im going to try lactose free milk.. do you recommend any other type of less painful milk for the stomach?

Re: Coping with emotions

kj — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:47:26 GMT

Have you tried A2 milk .

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Mon, 11 May 2020 10:55:20 GMT

yes. its still no good.. 😞

Re: Coping with emotions

Victorious — Mon, 11 May 2020 11:29:30 GMT

Yes, give it a try and hope your mum can tolerate lactose free milk. Options to try are almond milk or soy milk. Hope one of these alternatives will help your mum.

Re: Coping with emotions

Andrea2450z — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 00:17:50 GMT

Hi, my mom has stomach cancer as well. Unfortunately for her they discovered it way too late. However, when she was getting her first few sessions of chemo, I used to give her blended oatmeal with water which can be refreshing for them and soothing for their stomach, this can also give them lots of energy as well. Any juices but homemade like pear, Apple, strawberry can also be good, I usually mix this with 2 tablespoons of oatmeal to make it like a "protein shake", this can help for when they don't really seem to have any appetite. As for soups, I boil a little piece of meat or chicken, along with a few potatoes, then blend it all, they don't have to eat the whole bowl of soup, with just a few tablespoons throughout the day, it can be good for when they don't really want anything else. I hope it helps and wish you and your mom the best.

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 07:07:49 GMT

my mothers having sustagen with milk everyday now :):)

Re: Coping with emotions

brenda2020 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 07:09:41 GMT

thanks Andrea.

initially it was really hard, but now my mother is no longer in pain. which means the chemo has worked to kill the bad cells in her stomach. From dringking gaviscon 3 times a day, she only has it once in a while. Also able to have bread without pain. Im so grateful!!

its been 3 months, and the doctor said to continue with her treatment.. so we are going every fortnight for now...