Hi Danica,
Jack's medical and radiation oncologist told us absolutely no to vitamin supplements other than a standard centrum multi vitamin. They did not want anything that would interfere with the chemo or blood flow in the radiation area. Many nutritional supplements are very expensive and some are on the quackwatch list. I'd be careful because some of these products really play on our sense of vulnerability.

The feeding formulas are pretty balanced nutritionally and her radiation center should be able to set Penny up with a nutrition consult through their facility. A lot is going to depend on what she is able to tolerate as the treatments go on. The main thing is that she maintain her calories and hydration.

As far as immune system issues, basic handwashing, making sure people with infections don't get near her, wiping down phones, door knobs etc with the clorax cloths are good precuations. We asked people not to come visit if they had colds etc. She will most likely have issues with anemia or low white counts at various points throughout the treatments and they will give her injections to deal with that.

Great idea on the website to coordinate help. If you can line up a lot of different people it won't burn out any one volunteer. One of the nicest things someone did for us was to call up a local restaurant and have them deliver a full course dinner to us - tip included. They paid by credit card and all we had to do was sit down and eat it. It's the little things....

Regards JoAnne