Cancer treatment

[Sippingmytea]

Hi
I’m posting here for traffic - hope you don’t mind. My DB was diagnosed a few days ago with stage 4 cancer. It’s a complete shock. He will start chemotherapy and radiotherapy straight away. Does anybody have any suggestions for things that I can buy him to help him during his treatment- to help manage side effects or to help lift his spirits? I will see him next week and wanted to put some things together for him. I don’t live close to him but will be traveling to see him as much as I can to help. Thank you.

That must be such shocking news for you.

Ginger things (biscuits, beer etc) generally help with nausea. Can you load up a device with audiobooks that you know your brother would like or pay for a subscription to audible? When my dad had cancer, he lost weight rapidly and really felt the cold, so he appreciated some cosy tracksuit trousers and a new blanket. He also enjoyed having some fast growing plants (tomatoes etc). My dad had very little energy so we hired a wheelchair to help him get about.

A freezer full of tasty ready meals (home made if possible) would probably be appreciated.

Some magazines and puzzle books might help pass the time... And a Netflix subscription if he doesn't already have it.

Hi so sorry to hear about your brothers diagnosis. Anything warm and comforting. I nice fleecy blanket for lying on the sofa at home (something easily washable and quick drying. Comfortable clothing eg jogging bottoms and warm fleecy pjs. Audio books/I tunes voucher. Jigsaw puzzle and board. Also cancer is something that affects the whole family look after yourself too.

Sorry to hear this.
Any activities that he can pick up as he feels able, puzzles, crosswords etc. If he is reasonably tech savvy see if you can get a Nintendo DS and the puzzle games lile professor layton / sherlock holmes etc as they are easy to transport around when having treatment.
Box sets for binge viewing or books.

Foodwise meals are a good idea but depending on how the chemo affects his mouth he might not fancy them. Small but lots of nutrition is good, could you make some soup?

If he is going to lose his hair maybe some soft beanies and a sun hat. Warm socks as extremities feel the cold more.
A tub of aqueous cream as radio dries the skin and chemo can cause skin irritation.

This is a good place for buying gifts, skincare and beanies.

www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com

I take it that he's not nearby as you'll be travelling to see him next week. But is he married? With DC? Finding out what practical help is needed, and if you can do any of that from a distance might help. Are your parents still around?

Do you know much about what his treatment will actually entail? Frequency, over what time, what level of side effects? Because stage four is scary, and might not be curable, but it can still be treatable and that is an importance difference.

Hi, so sorry to hear your sad news.

Whilst looking after my DM we noticed her tastebuds changed during chemo. She loved a cup of tea usually but hated the taste during, she enjoyed jelly bean type sweets with fruity flavours, jelly and often ice cube as her mouth dried out quickly . Taste does seem to change quickly.
The audio book is a good idea as sitting for hours at a time can get boring, maybe a film or series he likes for when sitting at home and most definitely meals ready to be heated is always a big help.

I hope your brother gets better xx

Thank you. There’s some really helpful ideas here.

He will be starting chemotherapy - one cycle - then 2 months of radiotherapy- next week. He won’t be able to eat food at some point during treatment because of where the cancer is although he can right now.

He does love his technology and gadgets. He has Netflix already so I think that will help with when he has no energy. He’s a very busy person naturally and I really want to help with keeping his spirits up.

You hear the word cancer everywhere but I’ve lived in a bubble of it always happening to somebody else’s family

to you and your family, such a tough time.

Could you get him an amazon prime account - although he may have one already if he's into tech. When I was diagnosed, I knew the Netflix index off by heart! So maybe an alternative would be good.

Lots of text messages, even if he doesn't reply. I went through a stage of not wanting to answer phone calls but always felt able to reply to messages.

Absolutely second the fleecy blanket. Mine came everywhere with me (chilly) and acted as a pillow cover for scratchy hospital blankets.

Super soft pjs or comfy clothes. And just keep talking to him. Cancer is freaking lonely, even if you have a lot of people who love you, there will be days when everyone is busy and it can be pretty stressful.

Just read that he loves keeping busy. Definitely offer family meals, at his if he is up for it. I really enjoyed having everyone round and sloping off upstairs but just knowing they were there was comforting

If his radiotherapy is being delivered externally, get him an aloe vera plant. After each of my radiotherapy sessions I applied straight aloe vera to the affected skin instead of the plain moisturiser the hospital recommended (I cleared this approach with them beforehand). During treatment they remarked how unaffected my skin was compared with most people going through the same treatment. I didn't experience any radiation dermatitis at all.

You just cut off a bit of leaf, slice it open and smear the goop on the skin.

Aloe vera is also virtually indestructible so even someone like me who could kill a plastic plant can keep it alive so caring for it won't be an extra burden.