SIL Diagnosed with Leukemia

[Sadie147]

Thanks for the suggestions Jo, crosswords are a great idea as is music! I was looking at her tv there, and was hoping a dvd player could be hooked up and i'd bring her some movies, but it's one of those little 13" tvs that comes out of the wall...so it has no hookups I think I will get her the towels too...I doubt our hospital towels are anything to be desired either!

The lotions, I may just buy something gentle and unscented like Aveeno, just one bottle that way if she can't use it she can take it home.

Since Toronto was the North American ground zero for SARS a few years ago, there is hand santizer stations on every wall in every hospital about every 2' apart along the hallways! That's no exaggeration, she has 2 santizing stations in her room alone and tubs of sanitizing wipes. Sars completely change the way our hospitals run...So she definately has tons of that..though it's a great idea. I actually like the fact that they have it everywhere..i usually use it going both in and out.

I'm going to call her this morning and see if she's started her chemo, this week may not be a good week to visit depending on how she's feeling. I told her to make sure she lets us know if she doesn't want company (or if she does as well), or to talk on the phone etc, she'd be the type that wouldn't want to hurt peoples feelings. The dr. said the anti nausea drugs they have nowadays can be very helpful..so i'm hoping that she wont suffer to much.

I was thinking maybe some seltzer water etc would be an idea too..but I will ask her about that since they're being so strict on her diet.

[Jo]

the unscented stuff is good. i had forgotten that.... they told me to wash gently [the radiated places] with a non perfumed, gentle soap. again, i don't know how her chemo is going to work but it's worth having the info and conversation with the dr.s. ask ask ask

having the sanitizers everywhere is something! here, it is of course in alot of physicians bathrooms and most dr.s have a bottle of sanitzer in the exam rooms, etc. but not down the hallways like you have.

tell her not to suffer! there are so many drugs that can help with all the problems and side effects.

there are beverages here in the states that are suppose to help with strength and to keep you from losing weight. during my radiation, the doctors were very specific at not wanting me to lose weight. one of the new products i was given is called Juven. the label touts "Targeted Nutritional Therapy Helps Build and Maintain Lean Body Mass". now, i wasn't losing weight so i didn't have to use any of these products but your sil might. this would be another thing to consider when purchasing things to drink.

oh, something else you might consider is small light wieghts or squeeze balls. just something to help move the arm muscles ever so slightly.