The Patient Chef

Book excerpt: They say cancer touches everyone, and I'm certainly no exception, so in many ways it was natural for me to volunteer and then work as a staff member at the Sydney Cancer Foundation - which later became Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. Over a period of time I found myself talking at length to patients and families of those undergoing treatment, where the topic of food came up often. It was often disconcerting for patients to find that their appetites and tastes had been affected. It was hard too for families who wanted to nourish their family member to wellness. Yet what so often emerged from these conversations were hard-won tips, tricks, and recipes that people had discovered "worked" for them and were keen to share with others. It was from this generosity of spirit that the idea for this book was formed. There are many books by nutritionists on how to beat cancer, but little for those at the coalface. So I set about collecting the recipes and stories from patients, families and those that work with them. Chris O'Brien's kindness and humanity were legendary among patients whom he had treated, and many saw it as an opportunity to support the work of the organisation he founded. I'm delighted to be able to complete the circle, and support it in my own small way, now that his visionary idea for a single integrated centre for cancer research, patient diagnosis and treatment has become a reality.