Should I eat before chemo session?

MGNS
MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
edited October 2022 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm having my first chemo treatment in one week and am wondering if I should eat before going in for the treatment? Any suggestions? I'm really nervous and my mind is spinning with questions and of course it's the weekend and can't call my oncologist. I'm open to suggestions.
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Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    It wouldn't hurt to eat. You
    It wouldn't hurt to eat. You don't know how you will react. They give you anti nausea meds while you are there. I got sick after I got home but lots of these women don't get sick at all. Some of them eat during treatment. Most handled chemo better than I did so I'll let them answer. I'm bumping this up so it doesn't get lost. Good luck.
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    Marcia527 said:

    It wouldn't hurt to eat. You
    It wouldn't hurt to eat. You don't know how you will react. They give you anti nausea meds while you are there. I got sick after I got home but lots of these women don't get sick at all. Some of them eat during treatment. Most handled chemo better than I did so I'll let them answer. I'm bumping this up so it doesn't get lost. Good luck.

    Thank you for responding to
    Thank you for responding to my question. I'm considering a light snack before I go in. But am nervous as to what goes in must come out! I do have the anti nausea meds to take at home too. Just am nervous about all of this.
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    MGNS said:

    Thank you for responding to
    Thank you for responding to my question. I'm considering a light snack before I go in. But am nervous as to what goes in must come out! I do have the anti nausea meds to take at home too. Just am nervous about all of this.

    Food
    I ate lunch while getting my chemo. I felt better if I had something in my stomach. I ate a lot of frozen juice bars, rice, and chicken. All the high protein, high calorie foods in small portions. My first chemo was the worst then they got better. Just keep drinking. I know how nervous you are. A survivor buddy of mine gave me this visualization...she drank 64oz. of water while getting chemo and she kept thinking of a waterfall--chemo and water going in, and then being flushed out. I couldn't dring that much but usually managed a bottle of water. Keep taking your anti nausea meds even if you don't feel nausea.

    Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
    Sher
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    MGNS said:

    Thank you for responding to
    Thank you for responding to my question. I'm considering a light snack before I go in. But am nervous as to what goes in must come out! I do have the anti nausea meds to take at home too. Just am nervous about all of this.

    A light meal is good, I
    A light meal is good, I actually ate during, and felt fine. I think something heavy might not be good until you know how you react, and drink a couple days prior to make sure you are a head on your fluids. I am not the most sucessful chemo person make sure you keep up on the antinausea meds. I have it the other way (results not usual) and always having crackers is good people usually do better with a little something in their stomach.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    carkris said:

    A light meal is good, I
    A light meal is good, I actually ate during, and felt fine. I think something heavy might not be good until you know how you react, and drink a couple days prior to make sure you are a head on your fluids. I am not the most sucessful chemo person make sure you keep up on the antinausea meds. I have it the other way (results not usual) and always having crackers is good people usually do better with a little something in their stomach.

    Sher stated it best posting
    Sher stated it best posting at the same time. you will get through and the people here have great suggestions.!
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    MGNS said:

    Thank you for responding to
    Thank you for responding to my question. I'm considering a light snack before I go in. But am nervous as to what goes in must come out! I do have the anti nausea meds to take at home too. Just am nervous about all of this.

    Keep something in your stomach
    Of course it's understandable that you're feeling nervous about starting chemo, but try to remember that, for most people, the actual chemo infusion itself is really uneventful. Also, along with your chemo drugs, they'll pump you full of anti-nausea meds as well.

    The oncology nurses at my center urged me to eat a little something before coming, and to bring snacks with me, so that the drugs weren't hitting me on an empty stomach. I usually had yogurt or toast, something light, before going in, and always brought a cooler with me with fruit, light sandwiches, cookies, and water. You can't drink enough water before, during, and after chemo, so definitely bring some with you.

    One small thing I learned: Do you have a port? I didn't, so the IV was in my hand, making me kind of one-handed through the whole thing. So I always brought food to eat that didn't require utensils. If you have a port, so your hands will be free, you can also bring single-serving cups of yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding, Jell-o -- I lived on all of those for a couple of days after each chemo, as they were easy to just grab out of the fridge, easy on my stomach, and the yogurt and cottage cheese gave me some protein.

    Hope that helps!

    Traci
  • LC815
    LC815 Member Posts: 155
    My infusion center had a
    My infusion center had a little kitchen with snacks and sandwiches, so after getting my anti nausea meds, I would meander over there and have a turkey on wheat, a little ginger ale and some crackers. You could call the infusion center, those nurses know what's up and they're always there.

    Call your onc office on Monday.

    Peace,
    Lina
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    LC815 said:

    My infusion center had a
    My infusion center had a little kitchen with snacks and sandwiches, so after getting my anti nausea meds, I would meander over there and have a turkey on wheat, a little ginger ale and some crackers. You could call the infusion center, those nurses know what's up and they're always there.

    Call your onc office on Monday.

    Peace,
    Lina

    Linda brings up a good point
    Infusion centers vary widely in how they're set up and what they offer: Some cancer centers offer private chemo suites, your own television, snacks and drinks brought right to you, boxed lunches -- others are less swanky.

    I had chemo in my doctor's office, and, while they did everything they could to make us all feel comfortable and taken care of, there were no amenities at all -- one communal room for everyone, no television or snacks. Each time I did chemo, I looked like I was going camping, as I showed up at my doctor's office with a cooler, blanket, duffel bag with my magazines and games, etc.

    If you have time during the day, you might stop by the infusion center one day before your appointment and just ask to peek in, get the lay of the land -- what do you have to bring, what do they already have there for you? I got a little mini-tour before my first chemo, and it helped me feel more comfortable on my first day.

    Traci
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    LC815 said:

    My infusion center had a
    My infusion center had a little kitchen with snacks and sandwiches, so after getting my anti nausea meds, I would meander over there and have a turkey on wheat, a little ginger ale and some crackers. You could call the infusion center, those nurses know what's up and they're always there.

    Call your onc office on Monday.

    Peace,
    Lina

    Light Lunch>?
    Ohhhhhhhhhh No!... I has a Huge Kelching of Fish and Chips with tartar sauce whilst I was having chemo, actually in the 'Big Chair'... It made everyone else hungry so I had to share.....Sucks.!

    Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    Hi MGNS
    I always had my chemo in the morning and had a full breakfast before going in for chemo. I also had lunch while I was there. The actual infusion never bothered me at all. I had adriamycin/cytoxan and I always felt like I had morning sickness 2 days later and my appetite was off for about a wk, then it came back week 2. I know how nervous you are, but the staff is really kind to you and they treat you like family.

    Hang in there and ask any questions you need to...someone always seems to have the answers.

    Hugs
    Linda t
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    Sher43009 said:

    Food
    I ate lunch while getting my chemo. I felt better if I had something in my stomach. I ate a lot of frozen juice bars, rice, and chicken. All the high protein, high calorie foods in small portions. My first chemo was the worst then they got better. Just keep drinking. I know how nervous you are. A survivor buddy of mine gave me this visualization...she drank 64oz. of water while getting chemo and she kept thinking of a waterfall--chemo and water going in, and then being flushed out. I couldn't dring that much but usually managed a bottle of water. Keep taking your anti nausea meds even if you don't feel nausea.

    Good luck and let us know how you're doing.
    Sher

    I will add water to my list.
    I will add water to my list. I try to drink alot of water each day, but will be sure to take extra with me to my treatments. I appreciate your support!
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    carkris said:

    A light meal is good, I
    A light meal is good, I actually ate during, and felt fine. I think something heavy might not be good until you know how you react, and drink a couple days prior to make sure you are a head on your fluids. I am not the most sucessful chemo person make sure you keep up on the antinausea meds. I have it the other way (results not usual) and always having crackers is good people usually do better with a little something in their stomach.

    I'm adding crackers to my
    I'm adding crackers to my list. I felt like a light snack would be good prior to treatment so I will try it and see how it goes. Thank you for your support!
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    TraciInLA said:

    Keep something in your stomach
    Of course it's understandable that you're feeling nervous about starting chemo, but try to remember that, for most people, the actual chemo infusion itself is really uneventful. Also, along with your chemo drugs, they'll pump you full of anti-nausea meds as well.

    The oncology nurses at my center urged me to eat a little something before coming, and to bring snacks with me, so that the drugs weren't hitting me on an empty stomach. I usually had yogurt or toast, something light, before going in, and always brought a cooler with me with fruit, light sandwiches, cookies, and water. You can't drink enough water before, during, and after chemo, so definitely bring some with you.

    One small thing I learned: Do you have a port? I didn't, so the IV was in my hand, making me kind of one-handed through the whole thing. So I always brought food to eat that didn't require utensils. If you have a port, so your hands will be free, you can also bring single-serving cups of yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding, Jell-o -- I lived on all of those for a couple of days after each chemo, as they were easy to just grab out of the fridge, easy on my stomach, and the yogurt and cottage cheese gave me some protein.

    Hope that helps!

    Traci

    I had a port put in last
    I had a port put in last Thurs. so my hands will be free! I'm going to stock up on Jell-0 and crackers. I'm lactose intolerant so I have to substitute milk products with rice based products. I will plan on taking some rice cheese too since it is easy on the stomach. I'm feeling a little more at ease with all of the support and suggestions.
    I will keep you posted on my progress.
    God Bless!
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    LC815 said:

    My infusion center had a
    My infusion center had a little kitchen with snacks and sandwiches, so after getting my anti nausea meds, I would meander over there and have a turkey on wheat, a little ginger ale and some crackers. You could call the infusion center, those nurses know what's up and they're always there.

    Call your onc office on Monday.

    Peace,
    Lina

    I will definately call Mon.
    I will definately call Mon. to see what they have at their center. I guess I'm so worried about all of this I hadn't even thought of the easiest solution which is to call!
    God Bless!
  • MGNS
    MGNS Member Posts: 197 Member
    TraciInLA said:

    Linda brings up a good point
    Infusion centers vary widely in how they're set up and what they offer: Some cancer centers offer private chemo suites, your own television, snacks and drinks brought right to you, boxed lunches -- others are less swanky.

    I had chemo in my doctor's office, and, while they did everything they could to make us all feel comfortable and taken care of, there were no amenities at all -- one communal room for everyone, no television or snacks. Each time I did chemo, I looked like I was going camping, as I showed up at my doctor's office with a cooler, blanket, duffel bag with my magazines and games, etc.

    If you have time during the day, you might stop by the infusion center one day before your appointment and just ask to peek in, get the lay of the land -- what do you have to bring, what do they already have there for you? I got a little mini-tour before my first chemo, and it helped me feel more comfortable on my first day.

    Traci

    I'm already making my list
    I'm already making my list of foods, books, etc. to pack and take with me. Great suggestions and I don't care if it looks like I'm moving in when I go for my treatments! I've got to get through this whatever it takes!
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    mlmjt1 said:

    Hi MGNS
    I always had my chemo in the morning and had a full breakfast before going in for chemo. I also had lunch while I was there. The actual infusion never bothered me at all. I had adriamycin/cytoxan and I always felt like I had morning sickness 2 days later and my appetite was off for about a wk, then it came back week 2. I know how nervous you are, but the staff is really kind to you and they treat you like family.

    Hang in there and ask any questions you need to...someone always seems to have the answers.

    Hugs
    Linda t

    I bring in my bag, with my
    I bring in my bag, with my little pillow, a change if clothes, my Ipod etc... I dont take over but I need things to be comfortable. you can bring whatever you want. zofran can make you constipated, so keep an eye on the rice. they give out lunch at my hospital but I dont eat it, my husband does though.
  • Lynda53
    Lynda53 Member Posts: 210
    Light food. Drink your
    Light food. Drink your fluids before and after. The 64 oz should not be all water. Water makes the infusion easier, Gator aid is really a good hydrator. Not too much caffeine.
    My place has all the amenities, I bring only me!
    I do suggest,to try to bring someone with you, at least for the 1st one.
    Best of luck, you'll do fine!
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    The CCI that I go to tries
    The CCI that I go to tries to stuff you with food (LOL). They have all sorts of foods/goodies and drinks and seem 'hurt' if you don't eat/drink their stuff - so I do.

    Forgot to add - they have lots of nice WARMED blankies to stay warm with - I get cold easy - always have.
  • lafera12
    lafera12 Member Posts: 63
    When I was going for chemo-the second part-Taxol/Herceptin there where time my appointment was last in the morning and I would order lunch there...I would always have a bottle of water with me and usually had a cup of tea with lunch..
    Good luck with the chemo
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    Hi MGNS
    Speaking from my own experience I would advise you to eat a very light meal before your treatment and a very light meal after. After my first treatment I was feeling good and thought I would be fine so I ate a big lunch. I was very sick by the time I got home. I think I could have avoided most of it if I had eaten lighter.

    Good luck with your treatments. Try to relax you will do fine. We are here for you and to try to answer any questions.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3