This page was created to support Alyssa, Andrew and the kids, as she navigates treatment for tnbc. Alyssa was diagnosed in early December with Stage 1B triple negative breast cancer (tnbc). Thanks to her proactive approach and her doctor for starting her on a high risk screening protocol, it was caught early. She will begin a 12-week long treatment of chemotherapy + immunotherapy at the start of the new year followed by the possibly of another 4 rounds of chemo depending on the response, and then a two-part double mastectomy. While the road ahead is challenging, she is approaching treatment with strength, determination, and hope, all while continuing to care for her family. As Alyssa begins this intense season of treatment, the day-to-day logistics of family life continue. Support in practical ways, such as: meals (home-cooked, takeout or gift cards), help with childcare, school pickups, dog walks, or errands, will make a meaningful difference for their family. Every gesture, big or small, helps ease the load so Alyssa can focus on healing and spending time with her family. Thank you for being here and being a part of Alyssa’s village, especially now when she needs it most.
If looking to provide meals, meals for the kids would be the most helpful. Here are some of their favorites: Veggies: peas (Cass), shredded baby carrots and broccoli, sweet potatoes (Penelope) Meatballs Mac and cheese Broccoli cheddar soup Chicken nuggets Pasta with red sauce Lasagna Pizza - cheese For fruit: Both love watermelon, apples, strawberries, blueberries (Cass is 80% blueberries) Other ideas for Kids: Little Spoon meals Lunches: https://www.littlespoon.com/products/lunchers Dinners: https://www.littlespoon.com/products/plates *any way to hide veggies in the above is always a bonus. If wanting to provide food for Alyssa, please refer to the below (apologies for the length): TNBC is more sensitive to insulin spikes and having good metabolic health helps keep the disease away. Foods sweetened with Stevia or Monkfruit are okay as they don’t cause a spike. She should stay away from foods that spike blood sugar and cause an insulin response. She also should not eat leftovers unless they can be frozen. Please avoid: - Sugary beverages - Refined Grains: white bread, white pasta, cereals (whole wheat pasta and breads are okay) - Processed foods & snacks: chips, cookies, fast food - Sweets & desserts: candy, cakes, ice cream, sugary yogurts - Starchy vegetables (in large amounts): potatoes (especially fries) but sweet potatoes are good, corn, peas - Certain fruits: grapes, bananas, mango, pineapples, can cause a bigger spike due to their sugar content Cow's Milk: contains carbohydrates (lactose) that can raise blood sugar, lactose free milk is okay Fried Foods & trans fats: can contribute to inflammation and insulin issues YES, lots of: Lean protein: chicken, eggs (she loves scrambled!), Greek yogurt (no sugar like Too Good Zero), turkey, salmon, tofu, avocado, edamame, protein shakes (chocolate; sweetened with Stevia) Good carbs: Sweet potatoes (regular or purple), rolled oats, quinoa, farro, brown rice, veggies (especially cruciferous veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, kale), spinach, mushrooms, winter squash, lentil soup (she loves crushed lentil soup!), miso soup, bone broth, Goodles mac & Cheese (low glycemic), kiwi, berries, apples, pears Citrus; lemon, lime, oranges Healthy fats: EVOO, avocado oil Snack ideas for Alyssa: Meat sticks, nuts, fruit bars, protein bars Green, Ginger, and peppermint tea (sugar free) Coconut water for hydration Approved hydration mixes (uses Stevia): Ultima replenisher, LMNT) Zevia Soda