I was recently diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma and have already undergone my first aggressive chemotherapy treatment. It depletes my strength. I go in for round 2 tomorrow. They tell you not to eat undercooked foods and raw fruits and veggies. Is there anyone here who has gone through the same thing who might have any suggestions?
Best Answer: Bozema has some great suggestions. I eat small amounts and eat often. Liquids, protein and iron are important. Red meat iron is much easier to absorb than is plant iron. I have rediscovered popsicles (frozen Edy fruit bars) and seem to crave ginger snaps, and cinnamon and mint anything. I keep dry crackers by my bed for the first few days after chemo and they did come in handy one morning. I take my anti nausea pills on schedule for at least five days and have been fortunate not to have nausea be a big problem. For dry mouth the doctor suggested biotene tooth paste and mouth wash. Use the mouth wash several times a day. Sugarless cepacol lozenges help with a scratchy throat. The doctor said no vitamins for me except calcium, and that can't be taken within 3-4 hours of meds, so I have found other ways ... a 10 oz bottle of cranberry juice every day, bananas for potassium ... you get the idea.This is no time to try to stick to *healthy* eating. Eat whatever you want when ever you can. And if you want it, but cooking it smells gross, ask a friend or family member to cook it at their house.Email me if you have any questions you think I may be able to help with ... or just need to vent.
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In chemo, the most important thing is to eat foods that are appealing to you since your sense of taste is affected. You should avoid undercooked foods to prevent food poisoning, however my oncologist indicated that salads and fresh fruits and vegetables carefully washed and prepared by me were OK – he was more concerned about foods prepared in restuarants were handing might not be as cautious. Sushi was a big no-no.
Getting adequate iron-rich food is important to keep your hemoglobin count up. Take a multivitamin supplement and if you can, eat red meat and spinach. I ate quite a few steamed vegetables as well, and actually craved broccoli. Spicy foods, smelly foods, onions and garlic were hard to tolerate.
Getting adequate protein is also important. Chicken cooked in simple ways, string cheese and eggs all worked well for me.
Everyone is affected a little differently, but most people prefer blander foods than normal and everyone should focus on getting adequate iron and protein. I would get a copy of my lab results from each chemo session and watched my progress as I went along to make sure I was taking proper care of myself.
the undercooked and raw foods warning is because your chemo weakens your immune system so you might not be able to fight bacteria found on some raw foods.
If you experience nausea, you will not be interested in any strong tasting or spicy foods. Vanilla, banana, soup broths, breakfast drinks such as boost, etc. are some of the tollerable foods. Talk with your Oncologist or Oncology dept nurses for more detailed info.
If you plan to take any supplements or natural foods, be sure to tell the Dr. as some vitamins, drugs, or supplements reduce the effectiveness of some chemo drugs.
Also try http://www.cancer.gov for some suggestions.
Bozema has some great suggestions. I eat small amounts and eat often. Liquids, protein and iron are important. Red meat iron is much easier to absorb than is plant iron. I have rediscovered popsicles (frozen Edy fruit bars) and seem to crave ginger snaps, and cinnamon and mint anything. I keep dry crackers by my bed for the first few days after chemo and they did come in handy one morning. I take my anti nausea pills on schedule for at least five days and have been fortunate not to have nausea be a big problem. For dry mouth the doctor suggested biotene tooth paste and mouth wash. Use the mouth wash several times a day. Sugarless cepacol lozenges help with a scratchy throat. The doctor said no vitamins for me except calcium, and that can’t be taken within 3-4 hours of meds, so I have found other ways … a 10 oz bottle of cranberry juice every day, bananas for potassium … you get the idea.
This is no time to try to stick to *healthy* eating. Eat whatever you want when ever you can. And if you want it, but cooking it smells gross, ask a friend or family member to cook it at their house.
Email me if you have any questions you think I may be able to help with … or just need to vent.
try some “herbal” tea
or some brownies, cookies, or a joint
Wow! You made it past the first treatment, that’s great! I was so scared not knowing what to expect after the first one I was pretty prepared. I had a bucket in the car with a towel and bottled water and a toothbrush. (in case of sickness)
What she ate was good proteins to rebuild the cells faster. She liked scrambled eggs with cheese for breakfast.
For dinner I would have a hearty soup, steak, or salmon, sometimes the meats would be in a salad.
Wishing you the best! We did 27 weeks of chemotherapy and she did not get sick once.