OT: freezing meals for chemo friend...

[tscrapper]

I'm looking for a web site to help me make ahead frozen meals for a friend going through chemo. She is our scout leader and her hubby works strange shifts and she has the most side effects from her meds in the afternoon so it is hard to get dinner ready for her kids and family. We are taking her mels this week so any tips or web sites would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sienna]

I just came across this website that has a lot of recipes. I haven't tried any of them, but it looks like there's a bunch of stuff.

http://www.momsbudget.com/freezerrecipes/index.html

 

[mjkacmom]

I just came across this website that has a lot of recipes. I haven't tried any of them, but it looks like there's a bunch of stuff.

http://www.momsbudget.com/freezerrecipes/index.html

Wish I had had that list when I was on a team of people cooking for a woman going through chemo! OP, try to stay away from tomato sauce - chicken parm and lasagna get old after a while (I ate A LOT of it after my twins were born ). We'd either do meals to freeze, or pick a night, and bring over a hot meal when she wanted it.

 

[jacksmomma]

I am doing this exact thing for my MIL who just started chemo. I got a book called What To Eat if You Have Cancer that has some great recipes and suggestions in it.

 

[tscrapper]

So I was thinking lasagna but like you said it has tomato sauce and lots of people do it... also it might take all day to thaw, I saw some shepherds pie on the link above sounds good.

 

[crashbb]

Chemo can really mess with your taste buds. For some people, this means that they can no longer eat food with a lot of spice/seasonings (since their taste buds become extra sensitive) whilst others have the opposite issue (their taste buds become dulled). And then there is the random new dislike for food/flavours that you used to like.

So, if you are planning meals for her (as opposed to her family) to eat, I'd check if she has any such issues.

It is very nice of you to be doing this for her.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I remember years ago when my husband went through chemo - the doctor told us not to fix his favorite foods because they wouldn't "taste good". He survived on turkey sandwiches and pound cake. They also advised to not cook in the house - that many times just the smell of the food cooking would make a chemo patient sick. Doctor also advised us to use plastic forks/spoons to eat with and not drink any drinks that came in a can - that sometimes chemo patients will have a "tin" taste in their mouth. What a blessing you must be to your friend!!! (PS husband is 20 year cancer survivor!!)

 

[Sienna]

I don't know how big of a family your friend has, but you might also consider smaller servings of things. As you cook things for your own family, put a serving or two in a smaller container and freeze it. Also, how about some soup? That usually freezes really well, and sometimes a bowl of hot soup really hits the spot.

 

[postage stamp]

http://onceamonthmom.com/cooking/recipes/

This website is for people who cook all of their meals for a month in one day. It should help, and none of it is very complicated either.

Make sure they have a lot of freezer space.

 

[tscrapper]

They just bought a freezer and the whole troop may participate in bringing them a dish. Plus an all service unit e-mail went out today to all of our leaders too. Those two web sites have great ideas. Hope I can find some disposable pans that are 8x8 not just 9x13.

 

[postage stamp]

Look at the dollar store. I get all my disposable pans there.

 

[DisneyNutMic]

My brother wasn't allowed any fresh veggies or fruits either so you might want to ask if there are any things she is to stay away from. What a nice gesture though.

 

[jacksmomma]

My brother wasn't allowed any fresh veggies or fruits either so you might want to ask if there are any things she is to stay away from. What a nice gesture though.

Really? No fresh foods I would have guessed that is what he would have needed to eat. My MIL has been told to limit fat and red meats.

 

[crashbb]

Really? No fresh foods I would have guessed that is what he would have needed to eat. My MIL has been told to limit fat and red meats.

They take people off of fresh foods during chemo (or other treatments) when their white blood cell count is very low (i.e. their immune system is very weak). Too much of a chance of bacteria/viruses on the fresh food (which, in a normal person, wouldn't be a problem, but an immunocompromised person cannot deal with).

 

[jacksmomma]

They take people off of fresh foods during chemo (or other treatments) when their white blood cell count is very low (i.e. their immune system is very weak). Too much of a chance of bacteria/viruses on the fresh food (which, in a normal person, wouldn't be a problem, but an immunocompromised person cannot deal with).

I see, thanks for explaining that!

 

[crashbb]

I see, thanks for explaining that!

No problem!

I know that it seem counter intuitive at first glance.

 

[MollyAnna]

How thoughtful of you to help out in this way! When my sister went through chemo a couple of years ago, she really couldn't stand the smell of anything. She couldn't even drink water because it tasted like tin. Some days she could handle tea, then all at once she couldn't stand it. She would think of something she might be able to eat, and then couldn't eat it at all when it was fixed. So you can't really rely on what the patient feels like eating, since it may change every day. Another thing you might think about is a gift card to a pizza place or other take-out restaurant. Not for every night, just as a little treat. Or a deli tray, with meat and cheese on it with some bread or buns. This would be easy to fix and not require any heating up at all.

 

[Pakey]

I went through chemo 2 years ago and everything tasted awful. However, the food brought to our home that fed the rest of the family was priceless and my husband was very happy to see anything.

OP, it's a wonderful thing you are doing and I am positive that the family will be happy with whatever dishes are provided for them.

 

[BoogasMom]

They take people off of fresh foods during chemo (or other treatments) when their white blood cell count is very low (i.e. their immune system is very weak). Too much of a chance of bacteria/viruses on the fresh food (which, in a normal person, wouldn't be a problem, but an immunocompromised person cannot deal with).

I was just getting ready to post that very thing. I am a 4 1/2 year cancer survivor myself and remember very well not being able to eat fresh fruits or veggies for that very reason. Also, you should stay away from tomato based products as your friend may get mouth sores as a side effect from her chemo. I got them so bad after my last two chemo treatments that I had to be placed on a morphine pump for the pain and couldn't swallow. Her side effects may not be that bad, depending on what chemo regimen she is on, but I would check first.

I think what you guys are doing for this friend of yours is awesome! She is so blessed to have such a great group of friends. Our church and family brought us food quite frequently over the course of my chemo treatment and it really never mattered what it was. We were so appreciate of every single thing that came through our door. It represented an outpouring of their love for us and it is something that we will never forget. Your friend will never forget what you and your friends are going to do for her and her family either! What a blessing you are!!!