Prayers and suggestions, please

[Jessica]

One of the women in my supper club was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is only 35. She will have a single mastectomy tomorrow, followed by chemotherapy. Please keep Susan in your prayers--she is a wonderful woman and clearly is staying brave and strong through this sudden diagnosis.

Also, our group would like to organize and cook some meals for her. What are some simple things she might be able to eat while she is going through the chemotherapy?

Thank you for your ideas and prayers.

--Jessica

[Chefzhat]

How sad. Good thoughts for her.

How about making up a bunch of chicken salad - the really good kind with grapes, pine nuts and fresh dill? That always sounds good when I'm feeling under the weather and it stores easily.

Bottled smoothies to keep in the refrigerator.

Jello or mousse.

Brothy soups.

Tasty muffins.

I'm trying to think of things that have a high taste factor - because she'll probably lose her sense of taste during chemo.

hugs,
Debie

[phantomcg]

Jessica,

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'll keep Susan in my prayers.

One thing I remember about when my Dad was going through Chemo is that he always said that nothing tasted good after two or three bites, so maybe a bunch of smaller dishes would be a good idea. I think that things that hold well and can be heated up would be a great idea.

Hugs,

Cheryl

[lindrusso]

Hi Jessica. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

Everyone responds to chemotherapy differently. Some barely notice any side effects, others can get very sick.

No matter how she responds, she will need to do her best to eat as nutritiously as possible to keep up her weight and strength. You can wait and see how she is doing before you decide what to make, or you can just try to prepare healthful meals based on her usual preferences.

Chuck really had very littl appetite at all when he was going through chemo. He had a metallic taste in his mouth and was a bit nauseous, so nothing tasted good to him and he had to force himself to eat. Even when I asked him if anything sounded appealing, he really couldn't answer - he just plain didn't want to eat. So, I just prepared fairly bland things (pancakes were one thing he seemed to like okay), anything that sounded halfway appealing to him.

It's just hard to know what to suggest until you know how she is going to react to the chemo. They do generally recommend avoiding fatty foods or spicy foods from what I remember since diarrhea can be a problem with chemo.

Many good thoughts for your friend.

Alysha

[Chefzhat]

Alysha - that "metallic" taste was what I was trying to think of. My aunt had the same problem. Also, for her - nothing sounded good.

[syzygy]

Prayers and wishes for a speedy and full recovery for Susan.

[sneezles]

Jessica,
Please let Susan know that there will be lots of prayers in her name.

[Wendy w]

More prayers and healing thoughts for Susan.

[Molli526]

Prayers for Susan and her family.

[Kismet]

Oh, Jessica - that's so sad! I'll definitely be keeping her in my thoughts and prayers.

When my mom was going through chemo, she ended up with the metallic taste as well as mouth sores. So, for her, anything acidic was especially hard to eat. Starches and dairy seemed to be a couple of categories that were easy to eat and that she craved.

I agree, though, that everyone has such different reactions that it's hard to know. Perhaps making up some things that could be frozen if not used right away - mac & cheese, muffins, breads, other casseroles, etc.? It's great that your supper club is helping her out in this way! :)

[LaraW]

Prayers and good thoughts coming for Susan.

The thing I think of when I think of comfort food is some kind of a casserole, maybe a tuna casserole - noodles, creamy sauce, cheese - that kind of thing. If tuna doesn't do it for her, maybe just make it w/o or pick some other kind of meat.

[memartha]

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend, Susan.

I did a search on this BB when I volunteered to make meals for a woman undergoing chemotherapy and got some great suggestions. She particularly liked the pancakes I made and a small bag of Brach's mints (the red and white circular ones). I got both of those ideas from this BB.

[clairea]

My thoughts will be with Susan and her family.

My SIL recently finished treatment for breast cancer (she is 35 also). I did a lot of cooking for her, and the things she wanted to most were soups and muffins. Her chemo treatments were every other week, and on her "off" weeks she was able to eat more substantial meals, but still things that were fairly mild and easily digested.

Claire

[Jessica]

I am bumping this because so many of you offered prayers and good thoughts for Susan. I think I posted last year that her cancer had returned, and we learned today that she is going into hospice care. She has been fighting so hard but her body cannot take more treatments. She is only 37. Please keep her and her DH in your thoughts.

[Laura]

Oh I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers are lifted for their family. Laura

[Robyn1007]

Oh, Jessica, I am so very, very sorry to hear this. It breaks my heart to hear of the fight women and their friends and family put up against this disease and then to get this far. Her, her DH and all of her friends and family are in my prayers.

[clairea]

I am so very sorry to hear this. I will pray that her time on hospice is as peaceful as possible, and for strength for her DH and everyone who loves her.

[leightx]

This is so sad Jessica. I'll keep Susan, her family, and you in my thoughts.

[SandyM]

Jessica - I'm so incredibly sorry about your friend Susan. Please know that she and her family and friends (including you) are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs to you.

[wallycat]

How very tragic.
I sure wish they had a cure for this monster.
Seems unfair how we women worry about our boobs all the while they are seemingly healthy, and then those of us with the dx worry about death.
Survival is increasing, but so are the cases of younger and younger women.
:( :( :( :(

[TieKitty]

I will keep Susan and her family in my prayers. I hope she keeps a positive attitude. My DM was diagnosed with breast cancer 25 years ago. Her doctor basically told her to get her affairs in order, but she's still here being as ornary as ever!

[Lauren]

Sending prayers to Susan and her family. It's so sad to hear of young woman, and men, getting cancer.

[Pony]

Oh my Jessica. I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. Many thoughts to you and Susan.

[Kismet]

I will definitely be thinking about Susan and her DH as well as all of your supper club. Cancer sucks. :(

[gertdog]

Susan, her DH and her family and friends are all in my thoughts. I'm so sorry. ((((Jessica))))

[TKay]

Sending out supportive thoughts and prayers also. I'm sorry to hear the news.

[Terrie53]

I am so sorry to hear about your supper club friend's fight with breast cancer. She will be a winner with your support and the support of the other supper club members. A positive outlook is key to her recovery. I wish her all the good things that are sure to come her way with your love and support.

[Jessica]

Thank you for all your kind thoughts. Susan died at home this morning, with her husband at her side. It is hard to accept the death of a friend, especially someone so young and with so much to offer the world. She and her family are people of strong faith and her family believes she is in a better place.

Godspeed, Susan. 1970-2007

[Kyra]

Jessica, I am so sorry to hear about Susan's death. Please accept my condolences. You are all in my thoughts.

[newtricks]

Oh Jessica. I'm so sorry. It is hard to accept, very.

[TwinMom]

I am so sorry to hear of Susan's passing.

[Robyn1007]

Oh, Jessica, my heart breaks for you, for her and for her family today. May you find some peace in the coming days knowing she is no longer in pain. (((Jessica)))

[clairea]

I am so sorry.

[mom2garret]

I am very sorry.
Jodi

[Laura]

I am very sorry for the loss of your friend.

[SandyM]

Jessica - I'm so sorry. :( Please take care, my dear friend.

[KathrynY]

Jessica, I'm so sorry. :(

[syzygy]

Sympathy and condolences to Susan's family and all of her friends.

May her memory forever be a blessing for all of you.

:(

[aggie94]

I'm so sorry Jessica. My thoughts and prayers are with Susan's family and friends.

[MinEaston]

(((Jessica))) and all touched by Susan...

[cookinprogress]

How awful. I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

[jmarie]

This is so sad....I will pray for her family and you and her other friends...
Take care.
Joyce

[TKay]

Oh no. :( :( :( So young. I'm sorry to hear the news. Hang in there. Prayers and good thoughts going out to you--as well as Susan's family.

[Natasha]

Jessica,

I'm so sorry to hear about Susan. Sending many hugs and condolences to you and to Susan's family and the rest of her friends.

Natasha

[gertdog]

Jessica, I'm so sorry. I am glad she was at home, and that her family is finding comfort in their faith.

[wallycat]

Words fail me.
I am so very, very sorry that you and your friend's families must endure this.
So young.... and I know the fear!

[slknight]

Jessica, I'm so sorry. Many prayers for her family.

And being a Susan who was born in 1970, I got chills reading about it.:(

[lisas3575]

I'm so sorry about Susan's tragic and untimely passing. Godspeed.

[Jessica]

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. I am attending the memorial service for Susan tomorrow and I think that will help me cope with her loss. Also, many of her friends and colleagues are raising money to place a bench in her memory at a local park where she spent many happy hours with her dog. I think that is a lovely way to honor her.