Marsha...from what I've been told (and my mother's experience), if your friend has had chemo and radiation, the tastebuds can be effected.

My mother keeps saying everything tastes like sawdust. It's very hard to overcome this - we worked for weeks trying to find something she would eat. Finally her doctor ordered Megasce (sp?). It's an appetite stimulant. She is finally hungry, but still very picky about what she eats. I found some information here that helped us through this time.

Appetite and Cancer Information

On the other hand, if I'm sick I love grilled cheese with cream of tomato soup - it's "mom food" to me, guess that's what makes me feel better.

Good luck,