profmom Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Dh's aunt is having a double mastectomy next week and will have chemo for awhile afterwards. She and her husband are retired and their adult brain-injured son lives with them. I was thinking I'd take meals every so often during her recovery. How else could I help? What should I know about meals for someone after surgery and having chemo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 meals would be very helpful love that idea---maybe stock up on little necesseties--things to help them keep the kitchen clean (paper plates)-- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara R Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 After a double mastectomy, any upper body movement is painful. I was unable to do weird things, like wipe off the counter. But I was up and walking again within days of the surgery. Driving is off limits until you can turn the steering wheel pain-free. Meals and paper plates are nice. Cleaning would also be nice. Maybe offering to pick up meds or go on errands for her would be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbabe Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Just calling to chat or check up. After I can cancer surgery the first week I had tons of people bring meals. After that no one called or stopped by. I just needed to know I wasn't forgotten. Coming and cleaning would be nice, and a call just to say "hey I'm thinking about you today". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Come over and watch movies together. go to the library for her do laundry treat her like she isn't contagious. I saw this movie once and really liked it http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0874333/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Cleaning, laundry, errands. Lots of people bring food. I've noticed that people need the company and the cleaning more. One of my clients hired me after she had finished treatments to go through and clean out her pantry and put things in their right places. She had lots of people in her kitchen helping, for which she was super grateful, but it's nice to have things they way she wanted again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Here's info I've read. Just a bunch of very helpful tips that I've copied and pasted over time. "Cleaning for a Reason is a non-profit organization that offers free professional housecleaning services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer" Massage Candles Lotion Lip balm Care kit with things to combat nausea - Lemon drops, ginger snaps, Chinese ginger candy, ginger ale, soda crackers, stuff like that Books on tape Funny movie If she is getting chemo she may find that she is easily chilled. This is especially true when chemo causes hair loss. You may want to see if you can find the fluffiest, softest scarf and hat for her, and maybe even a snuggly throw. A freezer full of meals ready to heat and eat. She is not the type of person who would be at all happy to have different people coming to her house and bringing her meals, it would have greatly upset her. We found, filled and drove to her garage a chest freezer that we filled a week prior to her surgery. Her favorites were lasagna, chicken pot pie, chocolate chip cookies and cranberry bread. Gift cards and certificates from favorite local restaurants, particularly those that deliver Gift cards from the local pharmacy and grocery store were also much appreciated. Books and DVDs if you know what is liked or gift cards for those too. Comfy fuzzy socks for the hospital. **Flowers were a no go, sometimes the scents made her ill. HOSPITAL GIFT IDEAS Offer to do her “at home†things – water her plants, look after a pet, or pick up mail Lip balm is the #1 request for drying air in hospitals Teddy bear or cuddly toy Pashmina/cozy wrap Calling card Hand lotions, bath products, anything nice-smelling Offer to do her nails HOW TO MOST HELP SOMEONE WITH CANCER has lots of helpful tips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 It's hard to move your arms at all after a mastectomy. I was unable to use our microwave since it's over the stove -- so meals that could be reheated on the stove were nice when DH wasn't here (he took the kids out a lot when I was recovering). Snacky things that could be set on the end table or right on my blanket on the recliner were nice when I didn't feel like getting up very often. Something that we bought that turned out to be the best was a heated blanket -- I was unable to get in and out of bed, so I slept in a recliner for 3? months. Maybe a nice comfy pillow? -- I used lots and lots of pillows in the recliner; I kind of packed myself in so I couldn't roll over onto my drains/bandages. Laundry is difficult to bend over and throw clothes in the washer/get things out of the dryer. DH or my mom did it; I would fold sitting on my recliner occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
profmom Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 Thank you, all! Your information and links are amazingly helpful! About how long do you think she'll be in the hospital after the surgery? With chemo, are there certain days that it's best to leave her alone -- day of chemo or maybe nausea kicks in a day or so later?? Or, is it different for everyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted February 23, 2012 Share Posted February 23, 2012 Thank you, all! Your information and links are amazingly helpful! About how long do you think she'll be in the hospital after the surgery? With chemo, are there certain days that it's best to leave her alone -- day of chemo or maybe nausea kicks in a day or so later?? Or, is it different for everyone? Avg. hospital stay for a mastectomy is about 3-4 days. I didn't have chemo, but my father did. His nausea came the day after a treatment. I don't know if that varies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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