Help for mother in law!

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jamiemay
jamiemay Member Posts: 3
My mother-in-law is about to begin chemotherapy and also has diverticulitis. Any info on how others dealt with this or a similar situation would be great. This is all very new to us. We want to be as educated as possible going into this.

Thanks Friends!

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  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
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    sorry no help just wanted to
    sorry no help just wanted to say thinkingn of you and your family

    Denise
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
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    sorry no help just wanted to
    sorry no help just wanted to say thinkingn of you and your family

    Denise
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
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    ACS and NCI
    www.cancer.org
    www.cancer.gov
    Both sites have advice for what to eat and other issues. I went there every time I was having issues. You can also call the American Cancer Society is awesome and a wealth of information.

    Wash your hands! I carried hand sanitizer in my pocket. Make sure the smell doesn't bother her. My grand daughter knows to wash her hands when she gets home. There is nothing worse than being sick on top of chemo!

    If you get hats, make sure they are comfortable for her. It may be to warm for beanies so try bandanas or something light. She may be cold also so a variety works.

    If she doesn't want help now, keep offering she may need it later.

    If you are already looking for help, she is in good hands!

    Cindy
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
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    My oncologist gave me a
    My oncologist gave me a prescription that helped with intestinal issues. Maybe there is something like that to help your mother-in-law. Of course they told me to stay away from spicy foods.
  • jamiemay
    jamiemay Member Posts: 3
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    mamolady said:

    ACS and NCI
    www.cancer.org
    www.cancer.gov
    Both sites have advice for what to eat and other issues. I went there every time I was having issues. You can also call the American Cancer Society is awesome and a wealth of information.

    Wash your hands! I carried hand sanitizer in my pocket. Make sure the smell doesn't bother her. My grand daughter knows to wash her hands when she gets home. There is nothing worse than being sick on top of chemo!

    If you get hats, make sure they are comfortable for her. It may be to warm for beanies so try bandanas or something light. She may be cold also so a variety works.

    If she doesn't want help now, keep offering she may need it later.

    If you are already looking for help, she is in good hands!

    Cindy

    Cindy,
    Thanks for the

    Cindy,
    Thanks for the information! I will check these sites out and of course we will also ask her doctor for advice as well. I feel helpless because they live in Oklahoma and we live in Alabama. So the most I can do for now, until I can use my week of vacation, is try and read up on things and ask lots of questions.
    Again, thank you so much for your help!
    God Bless!
  • jamiemay
    jamiemay Member Posts: 3
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    poplolly said:

    My oncologist gave me a
    My oncologist gave me a prescription that helped with intestinal issues. Maybe there is something like that to help your mother-in-law. Of course they told me to stay away from spicy foods.

    Thanks! I will have her ask
    Thanks! I will have her ask her doctor about this!
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
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    Bless your heart! I know
    Bless your heart! I know this is a frightening time for both of you~ especially living in different states!
    We who do battle with the beast find ourselves braver than we ever knew we were~ and yet, bravery need not be the order of the day, especially during chemo! One bit of advice we women find difficult to incorporate is the absolute need to ask for, and take any help offered! Tell your MIL is it imperative she not feel compelled to "suck it up"...anytime, day or night, weekend or weekday, 3 PM or 3AM, she is not feeling right ( and she will know!) have her call her Dr! There is nothing our Drs haven't heard, and they will take care of her concerns!! Especially with digestive issues! Even if her Dr isn't there, someone will be on call. And, while I am on the subject, chemo nurses are human angels~compassionate and aware of our fears.

    Chemo is no walk in the park, but it is do-able and a big part of the journey to living Life After Cancer. Give your MIL a hug from all of the Kindred Spirits here, and one for yourself for being a supportive daughter in law! And of course, introduce your MIL to this site...even if she doesn't feel up to posting, she can read and get to know us! A God-send at 2AM when insomnia sets in!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥