Cancer Resources
Cancer Patient
Q: My mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
She will start her chemotherapy in 15 days. There will be 4 sessions of chemotherapy every 3 weeks.
How can I prepare myself to serve her during this time? What can I do to share her burden (emotionally and physically and mentally). I'll be present at all time...but need help to prepare for the next steps. I don't know what actually happens chemotherapy and what happens after it. How'd she feel after each the session, what will be the reactions. What can I do for her? How can I serve her?
I've planned to changes her diet a bit. I've decided she should consume more fruits, vegetables, nuts. Should she not take meat or dairy? Is that okay? We haven't visited doctors since friday so I've no clue.
Currently, I'm also looking for a book of all the 365 promises of God. I want to read the promise each day with her. It'll give her peace and comfort & acknowledging His promises for each day. And any other recommendations.
A: The below have general helps for anyone diagnosed or for family.
What a blessing to have a helpful caring daughter.
[For other readers you can jump below]
You should ask her what the Dr said or education papers he gave her for nutrition changes, and ask if she has seen a nutritionist yet for diet changes. I've heard no carbs (it turns to sugar), no sugar, and no red meat. Her doctor shouldve told her what dietary changes she needs. Also any directions concerning iron or almonds. And find out any foods she can't eat while on current medications, such as grapefruit or whatever else. If she doesnt know, call the doctors office.
It is great she has someone to help her, it is hard when there is lack of local support and if family are far away (they're alone).
Ideas to help her can be to help her to and from doctor visits. See what she prefers as far as help once she is home from the first visit and check again after a few chemo visits.
She might need quiet time to rest so any neighbors w barking dogs, loud kids etc might be a problem. You could try to reach out to them and ask for their help curbing the noise for the duration timeframe of her treatments (say over the next 3 to 6 months ec) so she can rest after chemo treatments.
If you dont live with her (now or during) I would recommend either signing her up for healthy (low sodium low sugar maybe diabetic ones) fully prepped meal kits. Once delivered you can put in her fridge. Or make healthy meals for her and bring them over during days she has no energy or after dr chemo visits.
If any ladies at church can help cook healthy meals (with guidelines) to bless her with during the week that would be good too.
Take out her trash, get her mail, put her phone on silent and on charger when returning home.
Help her into her pjs or comfy clothes (or lay them out). See if she needs help getting to toilet and back to bed or chair and related things. If any tidying up needed at the home, fridge clean out or similar, laundry need doing or folding, or moving to dryer.
Taking care of animals.
Those kind of things.
You can ask the ladies in Sunday School and at your Ladies Fellowship group gathering
*If they have gone through this experience or helped a family member through it
*What things they needed help with and appreciated
*Things they wished they had help with
*Things they can advise about
*Advice on nutrition and meals
*What things you need to be prepared for (mood swings, and...if chemo doesnt work, what things to prepare for if it comes back, and death related "affairs in order" helps to get settled in advance, and funeral requests by the departing etc).
*See if any know a lawyer who can help with living will, living trust, medical directives at prices you can afford or if low income if there are any who can do it free.
*If a chat group or email chain can be created to stay in touch with the ladies at church during this time.
- use chat for immediate needs and for prayers.
-use email for advice, and updates and requests, and coordinating delivery of things and helps schedulings etc.
As far as resources & books the below can help you and bless her.
Books:
The Big C (has free pdf ver)
My Comfort is Jesus (365 daily readings)
Verses of Help
(Click verse to jump or just scroll)
Frequent Questions
Additional Helps
For the Dying and Grieving:
Resources to minister to cancer patients for the dying, or death and grief seasons...
*The book Help Someone I know has Cancer, includes a loving call to turn to Christ, general info on cancer, and includes helps on hospice, as well as back of book offers suggested books and websites for more on cancer.
The Big C is a book by a Christian (who has since gone to Heaven) that shares his journey through hopeful times, shares and weaves in the gospel with the hope the reader will turn to Christ, and "encouragement for living" even if the prognosis changes over time. I highlighted about 80% of the book when sharing it.
I believe both books are good for reading and sharing with someone diagnosed (either with good or bad outcomes).
Share the Gospel every opportunity you have with the patient if unsaved, or if saved, with the family, friends, others, as well as anyone you encounter at the hospital (visitors, patients & staff), for God may have you there to reach them.
You can find tracts here to assist as well.
Return to Grief home page if you need further resources, counsel and comfort. *And ideas also for more tips and helps ministering to her while going through treatment.
