Soup ladies warm hearts of cancer patients

Madeleine (left) and Gail (right) volunteer their time and resources to help brighten the day of patients receiving chemotherapyEvery other Wednesday, without fail, Gail and Madeleine pack up their soup and travel to Providence Regional Cancer System in Lacey, WA. There is no monetary gain and no formal accolades, simply the feeling that they are doing something special for patients receiving chemotherapy.

When asked why they go to all the trouble of cooking soup from scratch, individually packaging (to meet the health department’s guidelines) and driving the soup to the center their answer is simple: “Sometimes this is the only place cancer patients will eat.”

Gail and Madeleine are two wives who have lost their husbands to cancer. Gail’s husband, Jack, fought a hard battle with brain cancer, passing away 5.5 months after diagnosis. Madeleine’s husband, also Jack, lost his battle with Stage 4 kidney cancer 6.5 years after diagnosis. During this time Madeleine also fought and won her personal battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. So perhaps no one is more qualified to know what cancer patients need.

“My Jack was a terrible eater, even in his health,” says Gail, “he never sat down and ate a full meal, just picked at his food. When he got sick, getting him to eat became an even bigger struggle. I started to notice that he was always hungry after receiving his chemotherapy and I was so grateful for the food the center had available for patients.”

What the women didn’t like though, was the selection. Most of the food was what they called “snack foods” and not wholesome or hearty. “We pay a lot of attention to the way our soup looks and smells on top of making sure that the soup is made with quality products,” says Madeleine, “We even take requests, vegetarian and minestrone are some of the favorites.” Patients have been known to request chemotherapy on Wednesday, just to be around for the soup.

“These women are unsung heroes,” says Georgia Akin, RN, OCN in the chemo-infusion clinic. “They love and care for all our patients. They do not stick around and wait for signs of appreciation. They know what and how the patients are feeling and doing, because they too, have been there, done that.” During this month of Thanksgiving we would just like to say, “Thank You” to our soup ladies, we are grateful for you.

Free comfort cap pattern

Hair loss during chemotherapy is not guaranteed but does affect a large percentage of patients. During this time of holiday giving several Thurston County 4-H clubs took it upon themselves to make more than 40 adult sized hats for patients at the Providence Regional Cancer System, Lacey Clinic.

Using the Husqvarna/Viking sewing pattern for comfort caps and fabric donated anonymously by local community members the youth sewed caps and wrote personal notes to go along with each donation.

The response couldn’t be better. Patients enjoy the softness and the fact that they are reversible but the notes inside each hat is what makes them truly special. “It always brings a smile when the patient reads it,” says Rosemary King, patient service representative at PRCS, Lacey, “Everyone remarks what a wonderful, thoughtful thing for these kids to do.”

Barbara Wollstein, 4-H program assistant remarks, “The kids had a great time sewing the caps knowing they were going to such a deserving place.” 4-H is a youth development program that uses projects such as sewing, animals, arts, etc. as a means of teaching youth life skills to become caring and contributing citizens. You can check out the State 4-H website for general information about 4-H or the Thurston County 4-H website.

Seven "hot spots" for infection you can avoid

Infection cannot be completely prevented. However, there are things you can do to decrease the risk of infection. You are most susceptible to a bacterial infection about seven to 12 days after your chemotherapy infusion if your white blood cells are low. Bacterial infection does not commonly result from being in a crowded place. However, types of viral infections such as colds and flu are common and are transmitted easily from other people.

To help to decrease your risk of infection: (In general, it is fine to go to public places. (Avoid, if possible, tightly crowded places during the height of the cold/flu season.)

Wash your hands often:

• After frequent handshaking Before preparing food to eat
• After touching raw meat like chicken or steak Before eating
• After using the restroom After changing a baby's diaper
• After coming into direct contact with someone who is very young or very old
• After touching animals such as dogs or cats

Mouth care:

• Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth twice daily.
• Use soft toothbrush and mouth rinses without alcohol. Do not use floss. Check with your healthcare professional before having any dental work done.
• To help treat/prevent mouth sores, use a soft toothbrush and rinse three times a day with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda and/or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt mixed with 8 ounces of water.

Food Safety:

• Wash hands utensils, and surfaces with hot soapy water before and after food preparation.
• Keep raw meat, poultry, eggs and seafood away from ready-to-eat foods.
• Cook food well.
• Do not eat raw meat until you complete chemotherapy and your blood counts have returned to adequate levels.
• Keep cold foods cold.
• Refrigerate leftovers.
• Never thaw food at room temperature; thaw food in the refrigerator.
• Don't pack the refrigerator too full - cool air needs to be able to circulate to keep food cold and safe.
• Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables.

Pets:

• Do not change cat litter or clean up waste (urine or feces) from animals.
• Avoid contact with reptiles.
• Avoid cleaning fish tanks.
• Birds should receive a clean bill of health from a veterinarian.

Gardening/farming:

• Routine gardening is permissible using infection precautions.
• Strictly avoid an environment where mulch, hay, topsoil, etc. is being spread.
• Inhalation of environmental spores should be completely avoided.
• Gloves should be worn for contact with dirt.
• If walking through areas where soil, dust and fungal spores may be found in the air cannot be avoided, wearing a mask is preferred.

Camping/fishing/swimming:

• You should not drink water directly from lakes or rivers.
• Swimming can cause accidental ingestion of water.
• Hot tubs, sauna, and other communal baths are not recommended.
• Spelunking or cave exploration should not be done.

Housekeeping:

• Regular dusting, sweeping and washing are okay to clean if you feel well.
• Avoid cleaning or dusting areas where a lot of sediment can be aerosolized.
• Use common sense and avoid cleaning areas that have been untouched for years.
• Wear gloves for washing heavily soiled areas and commodes.

Sexuality after cancer

Sexual images are everywhere, woven into our daily lives through the airwaves and print media.  Sometimes it feels like cancer is also everywhere, from movie stars to sports heroes to neighbors. Yet, sexuality and cancer are not two words you often see together (unless it is to describe possible side effects from cancer and its treatment).

After a diagnosis of cancer, one may want to literally and metaphorically roll over and just go to sleep.  As one breast cancer survivor tells it, “I am just grateful to be alive, the last thing on my mind is having sex. Besides, after what my body has endured, I cannot imagine my husband wanting to have sex with me.”

Cancer patients often say that no matter how much support they receive; cancer is a very lonely experience. But, consider this ... When I taught college students, I used to tell them, “Be careful who you have sex with because you very well could fall in love with them.” The very hormones and chemicals that are released during sex are the same chemicals and hormones that make us feel attached and less alone. So even if intercourse is not possible, other forms of intimacy can be gratifying and health promoting.

There are excellent and sometimes very amusing (see Prince & the Gun Oil by Deborah Jarvis) resources on sexuality after cancer. There are also therapists trained to help cancer patients deal with sexual issues. You may have lost parts of your physical self due to cancer. Do not assume that your sexual self must be sacrificed also. The most critical body part for sexual satisfaction?  Your mind.   

Your first chemotherapy session

Chemotherapy, especially your first time, brings a whole host of questions. Here are answers to the most common questions my patients ask me.

A PRCS patient in Centralia watches a donated DVD on one of the available dvd players.

Should I try and sleep in or get up early on chemotherapy days?
Sleep and rest when you are tired. Listen to your body. Respect yourself by getting adequate rest to recover.

Should I change my normal morning routine?
We do recommend you increase your non-caffeine fluid intake if you are having an IV placed. We have coffee and other liquids here at the cancer center.

Can I eat on chemotherapy day?
Yes, please. We encourage you to eat small, light meals frequently. We have food in the clinic but it's always good to bring something you know you will be comfortable eating.

Can I drive myself to chemotherapy treatment?
We request that on your first treatment you bring a support person. Since these are medications you are receiving for the first time, we are unsure of how your body may respond. Some medications can make you drowsy, so someone to drive you home is recommended.

What should I expect when I arrive for chemotherapy?
You will be greeted by our friendly, front office staff who will explain what will happen during that days appointment. If you have specific questions, please feel free to call before you arrive.

What can I do while I am getting my chemotherapy treatment?
We have wireless connection available to your laptop.
We have movies and a player to watch to make your time with us more enjoyable.
We have a chair for a guest to visit or even play cribbage.

How will I feel after chemotherapy?
Each treatment plan is tailored to your needs for your diagnosis. Some individuals feel a little drowsy from the medications and will rest, and others may feel no different.

Should I plan or cancel activities for the afternoon/night of chemotherapy?
We recommend that you plan no events on your first treatment to see how you feel. This is specific to the patient themselves.

Should I plan on going to be early or late the night of chemotherapy?
Again, listen to your body.

The way your body reacts to chemotherapy is unique to you, but if you have more questions leave me a note ... I'll do my best to answer them!