Meal train frequency and length after double masectomy?

[Anonymous]

I'm setting up a meal train for a friend who will undergo a double masectomy. If you have any experience with this, what do you recommend in terms of frequency and length for a meal train? I was thinking something like dinner every day for two weeks and every other day for the next two?

Also, was there anything else that you appreciated or would appreciate? Thanks very much.

[Anonymous]

Oh goodness. I detest meal trains, both as a patient and participant, but have been guilted into preparing meals several times. Please ask the recipient! I refused all meal trains when I had to recuperate from surgery.

[Anonymous]

Every day is way too much! They will be drowning in food. I would do 3 times a week for 2 weeks and then 2 times a week for 2-3 weeks

[Anonymous]

Did it cross your mind to ask your friend's permission?

[Anonymous]

This is so kind of you! Don't listen to the naysayers. I would say a few times a week for several weeks would be so helpful, especially if she has kids.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do it ever day. It will be way too much.

Maybe MWF.

4-5 weeks for a mastectomy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do it ever day. It will be way too much.

Maybe MWF.

4-5 weeks for a mastectomy.

And the more info you can give about preferences, the better.

[Anonymous]

Please do talk to your friend. She may have strong opinions about frequency and preferred foods. (And whether she wants this at all.)

Depending on how many kids are in the family, every other day seems like a good cadence. You are kind to do this!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, the meal recipient is very grateful. There are 2 children at home.

[Anonymous]

No more than 3x week (we preferred 2x as recipients). We had tons of leftovers.

[Anonymous]

Ask your friend what she would prefer. Our friends did this after my major surgery, and while of course it was appreciated, it became a bit overwhelming. We had so much food and some didn't even get eaten. DH also enjoys cooking and he missed it during the weeks he never needed to.

So if you asked me, 1 week was enough. But everyone is different so I think it makes sense to ask her how many meals she would like.

[Anonymous]

Make sure everyone uses disposable containers so she doesn’t have to wash and keep track of people’s dishes. I agree with not more than 3x per week.

[Anonymous]

The suggestions re: asking your friends preferences/food allergies are spot on. You should also ask what they DON'T want. I signed up for a meal train for a family for kids and it said "The family prefers not to have sweet treats." That was helpful to know- it saved me from baking a batch of cookies to throw in with the meal.

[Anonymous]

Why not just get takeout from restaurants the family likes 2-3 times per week? I don't like eating food someone else prepared. Their kids might be picky too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not just get takeout from restaurants the family likes 2-3 times per week? I don't like eating food someone else prepared. Their kids might be picky too.

Usually DoorDash or UberEats gift cards are an option, too. Is a gift card a hassle for the recipient? Possibly but when you're a terrible cook like me and guilted into participating, this is the better option.