Logistics around cancer treatment (children)

[peskytravel]

Pre-teen DC has been battling cancer for a while now, and has got a new diagnosis recently. I was wondering if anyone who's been through it has any advice on the logistics:

Any advice on natural foods that can help boost immunity and nutrition? I used to give DC Pediasure but probably too old for it now. Also I want to try more natural/organic food like antioxidant-rich smoothies, any ideas would be great!

How did they handle school? Last time DC just stayed home especially in the neutropenic period, but they would really benefit from going to school as much as possible this time I feel.

How do I keep them entertained at home and hospital? It's all iPads and video games at the moment, which is fine, but I can definitely see boredom setting in (maybe lack of friends?)

I would talk to your Oncology team before starting any supplements, there can be unexpected interactions with medicines. I am not sure "boosting immunity" is possible or desirable in someone having immunosuppressive treatments.

I am not looking for supplements, I was wondering if anyone has recommendations of food (smoothies, soups, fibre-rich food, etc) that worked well for their DC who went through chemotherapy.

Also bumping on the logistics regarding school.

Thanks!

My daughter had cancer treatment between the ages of 4 and 6. I can't advise about food, but she did attend school throughout. Her consultant recommended that regardless of counts she should continue at school unless she was unwell.

Thank you! That’s great to hear.

Hope your daughter's treatment goes well

Would it be a good idea to be in school while immuno-suppressed currently though with the covid situation?

I would agree it's better to be in school education wise. On the plus side if unable to be in school most schools are providing home learning for many kids so you would get better offerings than usual

Might be worth a chat with oncology about a referral to a dietician to discuss the best way forward. Fruit smoothies etc are high in sugar albeit natural sugars and may not be the best option, especially if DC has a sore mouth as they can be acidic, however they could be a nice addition at times.

Can school support DC with video calls into classes perhaps? Even just one a week or so if they can't be at school.

The marsden have a cancer cookbook. While not particularly for children, it’s really helpful for nutritional guidance blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780857832320

My son was diagnosed when he was 10 with a form of Hodgkin’s- he was treated surgically but relapsed at stage IV this time last year and basically didn’t go back to school after Christmas. His experience possibly isn’t that helpful as his chemo coincided with Covid lockdown and while he tried to join in the online schooling he just wasn’t well enough for most of the time and we pretty much gave up on schooling and tried to focus on keeping him out of hospital instead. I’ll be honest, all rules about screentime went out of the window as it was the only way he could keep in touch with his friends and he was desperate to play online when they were back from school. We were encouraged to try and get him into school when we could, but he really wasn’t strong enough either physically or emotionally. There were hospital teachers who would have been happy to do school work with him so that may be an option for your son? And if he’s admitted he may be able to interact with others on the ward - we weren’t allowed due to Covid so admissions were long and lonely. We kept in close contact with his school all through and as he’s a summer born anyway we decided that it would be best for him to repeat the year (7 so all the children were new anyway). It just worked with the timing of his chemo etc and it’s been the best thing for him - no pressure to catch up the 6 months that he missed.

Oh I can’t help on nutrition I’m afraid, all ideas of what was healthy or not went out the window too as we just needed him to eat anything with calories. Chemo totally changed his taste and he narrowly avoided being tube fed. He pretty much lived on Haagen Dazs chocolate ice cream (but hasn’t touched it since).

And I’m so sorry to hear about the new diagnosis- big hugs from one oncology mum to another.

Thank you all!

Yes the hospital tutors are brilliant and online learning is going fine (with lots of support from me) but I can feel boredom and depression setting in due to a lack of social interaction. I will skip December for sure as the class seems to have an outbreak but leaning towards ‘normal’ school January onwards. Mainly for mental health!

The doctor has been insisting DC does school whenever possible as well. We are looking at long, long hospital admissions so it’s only a week or so (a month) in school we are talking about.

The food thing is still a mystery for me. DC is a healthy eater and still seems to like the same old food but we are probably too early in the cycles. I wonder when the request for ice cream will come!

As for interaction with friends, online gaming is a great option - obviously an age appropriate game but it's perfect for socialising and keeping him safe

Yes I would just play it by ear really rather than trying to plan too much ahead. You just don’t know how they will be feeling. My son was encouraged to go in when he wasn’t neutropenic but really only ever managed a single lesson before he called for me to collect him. It was all just too overwhelming for him and he got panicky when he didn’t understand the lesson as he’d missed so much, and we wanted to keep him as happy as possible rather than adding extra stress. But each child is different and others may desperately need that interaction with their friends. He was new to the school so hadn’t formed the close friendships that older year groups would have had.

Hi OP, I am on chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and may be able to help you with the diet side from my own experience. I like cold things like ice cream, custard and yogurt too, they are easier on a sore mouth. If his appetite declines at any point, you might find that he will eat more if the food is smooth, not pureed but low in bumps. I can eat far more of things like soup, soft casseroles, soft curries and rice, this isn't because I'm too tired to chew a steak and chips it's just that I seem to not fancy it after a few bites and yet can keep going with the smoother stuff, it's very odd!