Friend with cancer.

[jglass]

Jon's good friend who is 71 starts chemo tomorrow. They found cancer in his pancreas and liver. It is very advanced. They are hoping the chemo will put it into remission and buy him some time. It is to advanced for surgery and the liver cannot stand radiation.

Help me out here guys. He is going to be very sick. I have seen my Mom and countless others go through cancer treatment and they drop weight like crazy because the treatment makes them sick. What can I make him in a few days that would be easy on the stomach? He is also a diabetic who takes insulin shots. Maybe a very mildly flavored chicken soup? I would take him some fresh bread but since he is a diabetic I would be afraid to do that. He is such a foodie. He loves to eat. I had thought about making him some homemade sugar free orange sherbet. I would really appreciate any suggestions.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Gosh- I don't kniow, janie... Since he's diabetic, maybe load him up on proteins- artisan cheeses, smoked meats & fish, and the like... In all honesty, given his issues, I'm not completely certain what would be ideal... We'll include him in our prayers... -kevin

[jglass]

Thanks Kevin. Im at a loss as to what to make them. He told Jon on the phone he has already dropped 50 pounds from feeling so sick for weeks before he was diagnosed a few days ago. I am hoping he is one of the lucky ones and the chemo doesnt make him to sick.
I think Ill just see how it goes. If he gets the nausea like most do he isnt going to want anything heavy if he can keep anything at all down. Poor guy is a foodie like all of us. He was a cook in the military. Jon got very upset when he found out. He cried and I have only seen him cry on one other occasion since I have known him. Jon is really good friends with their son too. He has know him since he was a little kid. Now he is in his mid 20's married and has a kid of his own.

[mrsjimmyp]

Oh Gosh Janie...I'm so sorry to hear about Jon's friend. Cancer is such a horrible disease. I don't have a clue what you could cook for him with these issues.
One of my brother's had cancer and had to take chemo and radiation last year.He was a big tall muscular man and first time I saw him after he started treatment I was shocked by the amount of weight he had lost.
My prayers are going up too Janie.

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

I Will Add My Prayers Too Janie, What Is His Name?
I Heard Once That If You Can Get A Cancer Patient To Smoke A Little Marijuana While They Are In Treatment It Will Help With Their Appetite. In Cases Like This It Should Be Allowed For Medical Purposes, I Am Against It Otherwise!!! But For Glaucoma And Other Medicinal Uses I Am In Total Support Of It.

[jglass]

Jake Wells is his name.
I appreciate everything guys.

[jfain]

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend I hope he comes through this ok. I know so many people lately who are getting cancer it's happening more and more. It has to be something changing in our environment but that is a discussion for another time. One thing I can suggest to help him from loosing so much weight is nut butters. If you have a Trader Joe's around you could get him a selection of nuts and nut butters. You can get 100 calories per tablespoon eating them so even if he can only eat a few bites at a time he would be getting protien, good fats and lots of vitamins. Just make sure where ever you get your products to read the labels. You wouldn't want to get him something that was 1/3 sugar, 1/3 parially hydrogenated veg oil and only 1/3 nuts. After my surgery I couldn't get around much to feed myself so cashew butter & peanut butter got me through. I hope that helps.

[Jafo232]

I have a friend who had to go through chemo who told me the one thing that really helped her was to drink A LOT of water right after the chemo. It really helped flush the nasty stuff out. With that in mind, something with a lot of liquid, i.e. soup, might not be a bad idea.

[jglass]

Thanks Jfain. I will make sure and tell his wife about that.
Jafo what kind of soup would you recommend?

[shipscook]

Gosh, it is a hard situation and seems to be touching us all. I have a dear friend right now who is going some some very aggressive chemo and radiation.
She was thin when healthy and is managing to maintain.
Her plan has been to focus on things she really loves when she isn't really hungry? For her it has been steamer clams--adds butter where she didn't so much before, steaks, although she only eats a bit, and chocolates. The latter would be hard for your diabetic friend. maybe you can find out what the parameters of his diet are exactly as far as carbs and fats??
the nut butter suggestion is great and you can make those for him is you can find nice nuts where you are?
Any of his favorite flavors in a soup, I think, would be good to try.
take care and Bless you All,
Nan