Helpful during cancer treatment

Winnie21

Hi there, my fil has just been diagnosed with cancer and has started chemo. I'm wondering what are the best ways to help out for both he and my mil (just the two of them living in their house). I want to be as helpful as possible. Cooking? Cleaning? Etc. I'd love to hear from those with experience what they found most helpful during this difficult time and what they found least helpful. I dont want to make any assumptions and I don't want to overstep the mark. Thanks so much in advance.

RacoonQueen

Cooking, cleaning and help with shopping are probably the major ones. Mostly just being around as much as you can for support and having someone for them to offload stress/fears etc to.

Hope he gets through the chemo OK.

CathyMoran

I was in hospital when I was having my chemo and my spouse could not always be there and appreciated if someone could be there for me when he could not be. My dad used to take me out shopping planning my wedding (I married 2 weeks post chemo) on my good days between it. My brother helped arrange an exciting event for me. I know that it was far harder for my loved ones than it was for me as I did not remember chemo. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2006.

Queenalocin

If you are cooking for them, this might be useful http://breakthroughcancerresearch.ie/ebook/eating-well/mobile/index.html#p=1