Food and Chemo

Food and Chemo............those two words did not go together for me.  In my first four treatments, I learned that I needed to eat lunch but learned real quick what I could tolerate on those days and evenings.  My husband brought me the only thing that worked for me and that was a baked potato with grilled chicken from McAlister's Deli.  Sometimes the baked potato came from Wendy's and it was plain.  It was bland enough yet filling for me to get through the afternoon.  Dinner would be about the same but it seems baked potato soup from Chili's was the only thing that tasted good in the evening. 

When I started Taxol, it was usually scheduled for 3:30 in the afternoon, so I would not miss more days of teaching.  I would grab some cheese and fruit and eat it on the way to the center.  I always kept extra snacks in my bag as well, but wanted to make sure that I did not go into my treatment with an empty stomach.

I found that in between treatments, I needed to eat when I am getting hungry and eat what sounds good.  I was a water drinker.  Because I sing and teach, water was very valuable to me.  However, I found that water tasted terrible during  my time on chemo.  I finally had to start putting fruit in my water just to tolerate it.  In a bind, I used a third of a Crystal Light package and added it to water.  That way there was a pleasant taste but not too sweet.

It can be tough, nothing taste the same and some things just do not sound appealing.  The trick for me, was to eat when I needed to and eat what sounds good. Your body will tell you what it needs, just listen.

Click Here for free food clip art. (2014)

Chemo Day

I can say that I dreaded Chemo day.  I dreaded the first day and the rest of the days.  I went in dragging my feet.  In fact, I got so sick on my first chemo treatment, that my husband had to take me back into the center the next day to get pumped full of fluids.  I told the nurse practitioner that this is not worth it and I will not be back in two weeks.  Well, they promised they would get the right anti-nausea medicines next time and Alan did have to push me to go.  I am so glad Alan was by my side and reminded me that I am fighting for him and our kids.  Chemo not only made me sick, but affected my decision making ability as well.  I meant what I told my nurse practitioner and my doctor about it not being worth it.  At the time I felt it was not worth being so sick that I could barely eat or drink anything, or deal with minor mouth sores, or the hot flashes or feeling tired all the time.  Looking back now, I am glad I went through with it. I survived and yes I am even stronger now.  I have noticed that the things that use to worry me or scare me now seem silly.  After all, I survived five surgeries and 20 weeks of chemo. 

So what did I take with me each time I went in for chemo?  Here are a few things I brought.

1. A bag big enough to hold everything.
2.  A blanket.  Some people get cold, I however, used it as more for security.  It was like having something hugging me the whole time.
3. Bring a Bible, books, magazines, puzzles etc.
4. Music and ear phones. I listened to a lot of praise and worship music.
5. Healthy snacks and drinks.  My cancer center had sodas, water and snacks but I am gluten intolerant and had to be careful with what I ate.  Plus sugary sodas??? That did not sound like it would fight cancer to me.
6. Lotion, lip balm, lavender oil.
7. Phone to text to friends.  Just be careful if you are given adivan for anti-nausea.  It can make you loopy and your text will not make sense ;-)
8. If you have work you need to do and that helps you stay focused, bring your laptop, tablet.  This is also good to watch movies on too.

Bring what works for you.  These are things that helped me get through the long hours while I received treatments.  My first four rounds lasted about six hours, while my last 12 rounds were about two and half hours.  Treatments vary from person to person and doctors or nurses will let each patient know what to expect.