One of the most challenging aspects of caring for a mesothelioma patient is making certain that the

y are receiving enough nourishment. Between the disease itself, the patient’s overall depression over their condition and the effects of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, the caregiver is often fighting a losing battle – the patient loses dramatic amounts of weight, and that leaves them in an even more weakened condition.  This weight loss can be due to loss of appetite or nausea, or it can actually be a condition known as cachexia; when cachexia is present the patient is taking in food but the body is not absorbing its nutrients.

The best way to avoid these types of situation is to make certain that the patient is eating well before their mesothelioma treatments actually begin, but because the onset of symptoms is so sudden and the disease progresses so quickly after diagnosis, sometimes the only thing that can be done is to add as many extra calories and as much extra protein as possible to every dish that the patient is eating.

There are a number of ways to add calories and protein without substantively changing what you are preparing for the mesothelioma patient to eat. This means that their favorite foods can be enhanced so that the patient is still eating what is familiar and provides comfort while dramatically increasing their nutritional value. Hard boiling an egg and adding it to a salad will add protein, particularly if you add extra egg yolks.  Adding cheese or cheese sauces to sandwiches, soups, and vegetables enriches calories and builds protein stores. Any product that is normally made with low-fat milk can be boosted calorically by making it with whole milk or cream, and milk drinks can take on extra nutrition with a couple of spoonfuls of instant breakfast powder or instant dry milk.

If the mesothelioma patient is unable to eat hard foods, add substance to soft dishes like applesauce or cooked fruit by combining it with ice cream, whipped cream or creamy Greek yogurt (which is also a great way to add lots of protein).  For savory dishes, add small pieces of cooked beef, fish or poultry to soups and casseroles, and butter can be added to almost anything that is being cooked to increase the caloric load as well.  If the patient is not in the mood to eat at all there are medical interventions that can be requested, including providing liquid nutrition intravenously.

Helping a mesothelioma patient to eat is an important way to boost their overall health and wellbeing, and that is a critically important way of extending survival. Please visit http://mesothelioma.net for more information.