Ask CancerCare

Nausea and fatigue are common side effects in cancer treatment but can be well managed with the help of your health care team and medications. Daily chores and tasks can be especially difficult when you are tired. This is the time to ask others to help you prepare your food so that you can maintain good eating habits during your treatments. Perhaps you don’t want to “bother” your family or friends or ask them to do simple tasks. Most of the time, family and friends are looking for a way to contribute to your care, even if they can’t be there all the time. Try having one family member or friend to be your primary caregiver, and have that person organize help from the others. Together, they can work as a team to do your food shopping, bring you meals and help you around the house. Giving each one a specific task allows each one to feel that he or she is helping you.

You can also get help with meals and house chores from your hospital, non-profit agencies and private organizations. Sometimes this help is covered by insurance, and sometimes you may need financial assistance to get the help you need.

CancerCare resources that will provide you with useful information include:

• Tips for Managing Nausea and Increasing Appetite During Cancer Treatment
• Coping with Nausea and Vomiting from Chemotherapy
• Coping with Cancer: Tools to Help You Live

Eating Hints for Cancer Patients: Before, During, and After Treatment from The National Cancer Institute is another great resource.

CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers assist people living with cancer, family members and caregivers with the practical and emotional concerns arising from a cancer diagnosis. Call us at 800-813-HOPE (4673) or email info@cancercare.org.