What cancer patients actually need & want: for your loved one diagnosed with cancer

I’ll start with, it is going to strongly depend on the type of cancer your loved one is diagnosed with. And also which treatment they are using to treat their cancer. I will give you both a general list, and a more specific list for the most common type of cancers.

General

• Food & Drink: I so hope your fighter has an appetite, but even if they don’t their caregiver does!
  • 1. Food delivery service: DoorDash, UberEats, etc. I can tell you right now, as a caregiver, all of my energy is spent, and I am tired. The last thing I want to worry about is figuring out dinner. If you don’t have the money, bring them dinner-but pay attention to their dietary restrictions.
    2. Keeping hydrated can be tricky. We have this water bottle & carrier which is SO convenient to just have on your hip at all times for a quick reminder to drink! Sometimes water can taste yucky, so here are some flavored drinks to help with hydration and taste (Liquid IV & Crystal Light). Tanner also goes through like a box of Vita Coco Water a week.

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  Comfort: I could probably write a book about this. Fighting cancer is UNCOMFORTABLE. From managing side effects to trying to sleep, it is no fun. Here are some of our absolute favorite products we have used over and over and OVER.

  1. 1. 1. Port pillow, specifically for protecting the port from the seatbelt
        2. Minky blankets, there is something about the softness that is like a giant hug from you. They last a long time, and are visually attractive.
        3. A wearable blanket, Tanner wears this to chemo, to church, around the house,really anywhere he goes. Definitely a favorite gift.
        4. A travel pillow & eye mask for long chemo days in the chemo chair.
        5. Okay hear me out…a pregnancy pillow. During my pregnancy Tanner got ahold of my pillow and fell in love. It has so much support from ankles, to knees, to back and arms. And you can choose cooling or warming fabrics.

• Side Effect Management: Below are listed some of the most common regimens to manage & combat the most common side effects of cancer treatment (chemotherapy and radiation)
  
  • • 1. Nausea is probably the most common side effects of cancer treatment. We have used Queasy drops to lessen the blow. However, your loved one will likely still need some puke bags lying around. We have these bags in our car, living room, bedroom, anywhere Tanner spends a lot of time. Just in case.
      2. Losing hair & neuropathy are also both common side effects of treatment. Cold capping can help to prevent losing as much hair, and cold socks and gloves can present neuropathy in the worst places (hands and feet).
      3. Heated blanket, temperature regulation can really be a nightmare with treatments. Tanner gets freezing cold. He also wears lots of these beanies to keep warm. 
      4. On the flip side, there are HOT days. We love this cooling blankets and fan. We have two of each.

• Entertainment: There are going to be long, potentially very boring, days of treatment and recovery. Here are some things we have done to keep entertained.
  • • 1. Get them an audible subscription and/or a kindle. Sometimes it feels good to escape your reality into a good book.
      2. If you know what streaming subscriptions they do/don’t have, get them one they don’t have and make a list of your favorite bingable tv shows.
      3. Mindfulness is another less thought of form of entertainment, and probably one they may need. Get them some loop noise reducing ear plugs for loud days at chemo, some noise canceling headphones and a subscription to the CALM app (has some great meditations and white noise options).

• Practical Support: Your loved one will need a lot of this! And the best thing about this is it will likely only cost you time and mean A TON to them.
  • • 1. Clean their home, or pick one thing (like dishes) to help with. This took me a while to finally allow, I definitely had to get over some pride. It help when someone told me, I’m coming over at (this time) to clean your house vs asking me.
      2. Help them meal prep! This is exhausting, the planning/thinking, the shopping, the actual prepping.
      3. Do their laundry. Again, I had to get over my pride. Even then I only let my mom or a very close friend do it (and I might leave our underwear out LOL).
      4. Drive them to their appointments and chill with them. There will be a lot of driving to do, and we get tired of it. It may need to be an appointment that is “less important,” meaning one where they aren’t meeting with the doctor. There are days Tanner just has chemo and sits for a few hours.
      5. Be a listening ear. Let them talk. Be curious about them. And let them lead the conversation, they may not want to talk about cancer.
      6. Hangout with them when they feel good. This could look like a night in with a good movie, or dinner out.

Cancer Specific

• Colon, GI, or prostate/testicular cancer. Okay, we are most familiar with this one so I have lots of recommendations for side effect management. Lots of bum help.
  • • 1. First thing, Imodium. Diarrhea is a very VERY common side effect. Tanner takes this like it’s candy. GasX can also really help with bloating from this.
      2. The poor bum bum. Sometimes chemo can really burn. Here are some options to help lessen that: a sitz bath or bidet (Tanner swears by this) with witch hazel, witch hazel wipes, and some good ole Prep-H lidocaine cream.
      3. Dry and irritated skin is also common. Here are some products we have used and liked: oncology cream and fragrance free lotion.
      4. More bum support: the bum pillow

• Breast cancer: For those undergoing breast cancer treatments (e.g., mastectomy, radiation)
  • • 1. Lymphedema (Swelling): Compression sleeve or arm wrap (LympheDIVAs, Jobst), Foam wedge pillow (for arm elevation), Lymphatic drainage massage tools or hand pump
      2. Pain & Sensitivity (post surgery): Soft mastectomy pillow for seatbelt protection, Front-closure bras (AnaOno, Mastectomy Bras), Cooling gel packs (for underarm/chest), Soft cotton clothing

• Lung cancer: For those undergoing lung cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.)
  • • 1. Breathing & Oxygen support: Cool mist humidifier for easier breathing, pulse oximeter to track oxygen levels, air purifier (HEPA filter)
      2. Cough & Throat Irritation: Honey lozenges (Ricola, Fisherman’s Friend), throat-coat tea or herbal teas, hydrating nasal spray or saline rinse.

• Blood cancers: For leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma patients.
  • • 1. Immune System support: Hand sanitizers & antibacterial wipes, face masks (soft cotton or KN95)
      2. Anemia: Iron rich snacks (dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds)
      3. Bone pain: Heating pad or hot water bottle for pain relief