Helping Mum through chemo

Hi all, I'm new to this site but just wanted to ask some advice about how to help my mum. She's only just been diagnosed and will have her first chemotherapy next week. How can we best help her through this stage? We (my sisters and I) have already been doing housework and shopping to support her and my dad but I'm wondering if there is anything more specific, as in anything I can get her to help with the sickness, anything to make her more comfortable etc? Thank you to anybody that can help.

  • Hi Firefly7827,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to read about your mum and I hope you're all getting on OK. It's great that you've come here for advice about how best to help her.

    It sounds as if you have all been doing a good amount so far to help - I'm sure supporting with these day-to-day tasks will be a huge help.

    It might be that you learn over the next few days or weeks some additional ways to support her, based on how she's feeling and what you might be able to do.

    It might be helpful for you to search this forum (using the button in the blue bar above) to find any relevant discussions that may provide some info for you. Or otherwise hopefully some others will be along here soon to offer further advice.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hello from a carer who has dealt with this.  Mum's chemotherapy will be specific to her and quite often sickness is not involved, just in case she will be given anti sickness medication each time she has chemotherapy to take home.  My husband dealt well with the treatment but got tired so if she's tired let her sleep, don't worry it's normal.  We bought a sheepskin rug to sit and lay on for comfort and you can get these on Amazon quite cheaply.  Food can be a problem but once again the cancer department will offer nutritional shakes, mine hated these so he ate what he fancied when he felt hungry.  Buy food she fancies, even if its chocolate éclairs, food is necessary to keep her healthy for the treatment.  Plenty of fluid and lots of care will get her through.  Don't fret the small stuff, it's not worth it!  Good luck to you all, Carol