I'm writing this post for a friend of mine who unexpectedly found herself in the role of 'primary at-home care giver'.
See, when things are normal, we don't typically have to worry too much about nutrition and our immune systems. But, sometimes things get out of whack. Which is what happened to her when her partner was unexpectedly hospitalized and then released, but still weak.
At least with cancer care, 'primary at-home care giver' is a formal role. They even get support groups and training materials. But, for other events, sometimes it feels like you're just jumping in the deep-end without a floatie.
Building upon yesterday's post Feeding an Army (of blood cells), this is what I would do if I were her.
I'd do whatever the hospital told me to do in the discharge papers. Meds, foods, movement.... I always comply with medical advice.
Then I would hydrate the hell out of my patient. After all my treatment, I've basically learned that my body's first approach to just about everything is 'pee it out'. Also, water is needed for all sorts of bodily systems. So, I'd keep them hydrated. Now, I'm a little crazy (okay a lot over the top) and I prefer to drink reverse osmosis water (I'll explain in another post) and I cringe at the word Gatorade. So yes, Gatorade and Pedialyte are options frequently recommended to me by nurses. For me, since I'd rather use my own water, I tend to chew a SaltStick Electrolyte FastChews. What are these? They're basically electrolyte salt tabs that endurance runners use. I get them at my local running shop and keep them in my purse. This way I can easily add electrolytes without the food dye and sugar bomb.
Next, I'd address nausea if there is any. It is super hard to keep someone hydrated if they can't keep anything down. I've used this recipe on myself a bunch of times and have used it with my husband, mom and aunt as well. I know people who use if for migraines. Here it is: boil a few cups of water in a sauce pan; cut up 4 inches of raw ginger into slices (I don't bother pealing it); boil the ginger in the water for 10 minutes or so; add 2 or 3 peppermint tea bags to the boiling water; remove the heat and let is steep for another 10 minutes. Drain it. Let it cool. I put it in a mason jar in my fridge and dole out in small amounts over time.
Peppermint: Digestion aid, nausea reducer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. Great tasting mint relaxes abdominal and stomach muscles, making it excellent for relieving cramps, decreasing gas, and aiding overall digestion.
Ginger: Nausea reducer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, NF-kB regulator. Ginger is renowned for easing nausea and an upset stomach; that effect increases when it's consumed with some protein. Ginger's active component, spicy gingerol, controlled the growth of bowel cancer cells in animal studies.
- Rebecca Katz, The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen
Next, if I wasn't sure if they could keep food down or not, I'd try giving them a simple cracker to try it out. I WOULD NOT do the B.R.A.T diet that we all learned about from our kid's pediatrician because that's been debunked. Instead I'd try to get them to eat my chicken-lentil soup.
Now, if my patient is in the "I will NOT eat lentil soup" camp. (I know, I have kids too) I'd aim to get them vitamins C, B6, E and zinc and selenium via foods where they are naturally occurring. For vitamin C there's always oranges, but if these are too acidic for the patient try sliced red bell peppers or kiwi. For B6, hummus is a great option (and it goes well with the bell peppers!). For E sunflower seeds are a good option, maybe the salt will make them drink more. Also, kiwi gives you a two-for-one deal here. For zinc, blue-crab crab cakes would work- this is only if you really love the person. No crab cakes on hand, pumpkin seeds also work. Finally selenium. This is actually really rare in foods because it comes from the soil the food is grown in. The best source is Brazil nuts. Now, be super careful with Brazil nuts- my husband is Brazilian and he warned me that all Brazilians know that if you eat too many you will lose your hair (sounds like chemo). I have another friend who knows someone who went to the hospital after eating too many. I eat 2 dark chocolate covered Brazil nuts at a time, no more, but that does the trick.
So yeah, if they're not feeling the soup, I'd go for peppers/hummus, an orange, a kiwi, and some mixed-nuts/seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, Brazil nuts etc).
You'll have them right as rain in no time.