Making it a great day. S
We all have them, some good, some bad! One of the hardest things I hear for those patients that are facing struggles is the battle that they have with families and most often about food and eating. It is amazing how something that was once a matter of enjoyment can become a matter of effort and can cause such consternation for both parties. The patient may say, food just doesn't taste right or the same and I am not hungry. A fleeting fancy of something may sound good but then when you actually taste it, it is not what you wanted. Casseroles come in the door and food enough for an army and it is much like when shopping at Christmas time, there is just too much to see that it becomes overwhelming. Small amounts, often are much better tolerated and trust me no one wants to eat macaroni and cheese 7 days in a row. Variety in small amounts seem to work better and an example would be some of the supplement drinks, rather than getting a flavor, get vanilla and you can always add flavoring to it be it chocolate or strawberry or maple or whatever. Those drinks are best cold and I mean really cold. I would often keep mine in a glass sitting on ice so the ice in the drink did not dilute the drink itself and I also recommend a straw. I can drink more with a straw then just supping away at a drink. Carbonation may present issues too, flat is best. I was never much of a pop drinker before but during and after treatment, I found one very popular pop tastes likes the old fahion bazooka bubblegum and I have nothing against that but just never wanted to drink it. Family will come in droves with food always at their side and feel they are doing what is in your best interest. To find the happy medium that you are comfortable with and tell them what your needs are, can be difficult. It is hard to hold on to the fact that they love you and are only try to care for you as they offer one more teaspoon of tapioca pudding ( which I don't eat on a good day). The caring intent is what each and everyone of us has to hold one to, people most often mean well. Each day may bring its challenges and with that comes family- as they say- can't live with them and can't live without them!
Making it a great day. S
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AuthorMy name is Sue Kilburn and I am a clinical nurse breast cancer educator at the Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Archives
March 2015
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