My mother and Keymo

CHEMO
Hello Nicole,

It is so nice that you are being proactive in researching what may happen during chemo. There are many different types of chemo so I will tell you the stuff that was helpful to me. First off, just having a loving daughter by her side will be a great help! Your mom most likely will become more exhausted with each treatment and she may lose her appetite. Many times chemo patients develop a metal taste in their mouth which makes eating less enjoyable. Buy sturdy plastic utensils to replace the metal ones we usually use, this will help to lessen the metal taste. When one has chemo your ability to fight off infections and colds lessens, it is a good idea for everyone to wash their hands with anti bacterial soap before having physical contact with mom; i myself would always wash my hands whenever i returned home from being out. She should not drink freshly squeezed juices such as apple or orange because of her lower anti bodies. It is important to take your temperature often to ensure you are not becoming ill so a good digital thermometer is always good to have on hand. Since mom is losing her hair in the winter it is important to have a cap on while she sleeps since we loose much of our body heat through our head and feet. There is a wonderful website heavenlyhats.com where mom can fill out an order form and they will send her 3 to 4 lovely hats, mine were beautiful. Heavenly hats is a free service provided to cancer patients.

Sometimes it is the simple things that can be so helpful, perhaps prior to her chemo sessions you could prepare a meal so she does not have to worry about what everyone will eat because us mom's worry about those type of things. In our household we always had a pre-chemo cleaning weekend so that i would not feel compelled to vaccumn, dust etc. We also would go to the video store and pick up a few movies just in case i was up to the distraction of a show. Mostly, let mom know you love her no matter what and that you are there for her, us Mom's love that!

My best to you,

RE

Nicole: Hopefully she will
Nicole: Hopefully she will do fine. Depending on the type of chemo she gets she will have different symptoms. Be prepared. Go to the oncologist with her and ask all the questions that pop into your head. That's what they are there for not to just administer drugs. Be around but don't hover. Sometimes, when we feel like vomiting we are not great company. Let her know that you're there when she needs you. BTW, what a great picture. HUgs, Lili

helping
What meant the most to me was help with the housework and meals. Just sitting around you notice things you wouldn't ordinarily. Get a Pure Water Pitcher so she can have filtered water - the tap water tasted wierd to me.

My daughter also sent her husband over with chocolate shakes when I didn't feel like eating anything. Its important that she gets proper nutrition, but there may be times she just can't so whatever she is "hungry" for - that's what to get.

Its hard to tell - the first couple treatments the anti nausea drugs took care of it but the tired - wow. It was an effort to go to the rest room sometimes.

Just follow her lead - its wonderful that you will be there for her.

Give her 'normal' back....
You are such a dearheart....my daughter was my caregiver, as well, through both of my cancer battles.

Kristy, my daughter, just kept things as normal as possible, having moved back in with me after my diagnosis. It was Christmas time, and I said "I DON'T want to decorate...there is NOTHING to celebrate!". She didn't listen to me a lick, decorated the whole house by herself. I was so grateful to have the festive atmosphere...especially when I didn't feel good...

Hugs, Kathi