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Friend with cancer.

jglass

New member
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Thanks Jfain. I will make sure and tell his wife about that.
Jafo what kind of soup would you recommend?
 
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
 
Best wishes and prayers to your friend Nan.

Jon spoke with Jake today. Today he got some sort of implant that releases chemo internally. He told Jon he has to get the implant refilled once a week. He said the chemo gave him a headache and made him very cold. He has no appetite what so ever. Jon told him I would love to make him anything he wants and he said loss of appetite was one of the reasons he went to the doctor when they found the cancer. He said if his appetite comes back he would def love some soup but right now I would be wasting my time and effort because he is just not eating. He has always had a weight problem and likes the fact he has lost 50 pounds BUT he needs nutritious food in him to.
 
Thanks Jfain. I will make sure and tell his wife about that.
Jafo what kind of soup would you recommend?

Something with a lot of broth. Less salt the better as salt helps you retain water, which is what your looking to drop right after chemo..
 
I will keep that in mind. Thanks.
He told me not to bother bringing him anything because he has no appetite. He said not to waste my time. He has always been very heavy and he likes the fact he has lost like 50 pounds which is all well and good but he needs to eat! He has always been a bit of a grouch but we still love him.
 
wow i am so sorry. one of my good friends is going through the same thing right now with his father. he has a tumor by his spine and it has effected his movement. so i know what you are going through a hard time. i will keep you and yours in my thoughts as well. sorry i don't have any food suggestions.
 
Lord and Savior, please place your hand on Jake Wells and see him through this illness. Give him strength to fight this horrible disease. Let him know that YOU are in charge and if he asks he will receive. Please lay your healing hand upon him and make him well again. Be with all who love him and this dear friend here who is asking for suggestions for recipes to make for him during this time of illness. In Jesus precious name I ask these things. Amen.
 
wow i am so sorry. one of my good friends is going through the same thing right now with his father. he has a tumor by his spine and it has effected his movement. so i know what you are going through a hard time. i will keep you and yours in my thoughts as well. sorry i don't have any food suggestions.

Thanks Hon. We appreciate that.
I will do the same for your friend and his Dad.
 
Things are not going well. He cannot take the chemo. It makes him terribly weak. He is not taking any treatments for the cancer. He has decided to take what ever comes. He seems to have made peace with things.
 
Will continue to keep him in my prayers. We had another

scare last night. My daughter went to ER suffering with pain in left lung. They kept her saying probably a clot from the surgery. They started her on blood thinners as a precautionary mearsure. Did tests this am no clot, thank God. They released her late this afternoon and she is home. Goes to surgeon tomorrow for follow up and referral to pulmonary spe******t. Continue prayers, please and thank you.
 
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