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)