Food Suggestions?

ErnieOb
ErnieOb Member Posts: 6
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Hi, I'm new to the board. I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer in April. I had a hysterectomy in May. My cancer was stage 2 and it was thought that the hysterectomy would take care of it, until the 'wash' they did of my abdomen before surgery came back with cancer cells in it. So, I'm doing 6 rounds of chemo and 3 rounds of radiation. I'm looking for suggestions of foods to eat after chemo. My main problem so far after chemo (besides the extreme fatigue for 2-3 days) is that I don't want to eat anything which I know is bad. Any suggestions for foods that are simple and easy for those 2-3 days would be so welcome! Right now my mainstay is Carnation Instant Breakfast.

Comments

  • missbabsonmars
    missbabsonmars Member Posts: 29
    #2
    Anti-Cancer Diet
    If you want to do everything in your power to slow down the progression of your cancer, begin investigating complimentary treatments like the anti-cancer diet, which some of us on this board follow in varying degrees.

    http://www.anticancerbook.com/

    Dr. David Servan-Schreiber's book: Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life is a primary source for much of the recommendations that integrative medical specilists, including some oncologists, are making.
  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #3
    Chemo
    Welcome to our humble group! While I was in chemo a good friend of mine who's an RN in oncology dept gave me wonderful guidance. One thing she suggested, even if I wasn't hungry or felt nauseous try to eat small amounts of foods. For instance, crackers, milk, applesauce and lots of fluids. Recommended Gatorade type drink to replenish the fluids lost during chemo. Also, Whey protein drinks, as I drank 2 per day which helped build me up after the toxins from chemo pulled me way down.

    If you're going into radiation (external pelvic) I was told after 2 weeks to start avoiding lots of bulk with vegies and fruits (difficult for me as I live on these foods). As well drink lots of fluids and I felt more tired and draggish from radiation vs. chemo...yikes! Know when radiation is complete, it'll take a few months before the energy level is back.

    Good luck to you and keep on asking questions as you'll learn from many of us who have been in your shoes...
    Jan
  • maryv1119
    maryv1119 Member Posts: 37
    #4
    jazzy1 said:

    Chemo
    Welcome to our humble group! While I was in chemo a good friend of mine who's an RN in oncology dept gave me wonderful guidance. One thing she suggested, even if I wasn't hungry or felt nauseous try to eat small amounts of foods. For instance, crackers, milk, applesauce and lots of fluids. Recommended Gatorade type drink to replenish the fluids lost during chemo. Also, Whey protein drinks, as I drank 2 per day which helped build me up after the toxins from chemo pulled me way down.

    If you're going into radiation (external pelvic) I was told after 2 weeks to start avoiding lots of bulk with vegies and fruits (difficult for me as I live on these foods). As well drink lots of fluids and I felt more tired and draggish from radiation vs. chemo...yikes! Know when radiation is complete, it'll take a few months before the energy level is back.

    Good luck to you and keep on asking questions as you'll learn from many of us who have been in your shoes...
    Jan

    Food Suggestions
    When I was going through Chemo I didn't eat much, but I did have cravings. So, I'd say let your body be your guide. I drank lots and lots of water, and would get overwhelming cravings for certain fruits and was easily able to keep them down, even with terrible nausea. Canned chicken noodle soup also seemed to do well with me.

    It seems like chemo "reset" my tastes. Before chemo I ate a lot of highly processed foods, now I eat a lot of fresh fruits, veg, and lean meat.
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    #5
    maryv1119 said:

    Food Suggestions
    When I was going through Chemo I didn't eat much, but I did have cravings. So, I'd say let your body be your guide. I drank lots and lots of water, and would get overwhelming cravings for certain fruits and was easily able to keep them down, even with terrible nausea. Canned chicken noodle soup also seemed to do well with me.

    It seems like chemo "reset" my tastes. Before chemo I ate a lot of highly processed foods, now I eat a lot of fresh fruits, veg, and lean meat.

    body as guide
    Mary, I got the same advice as you, to let my body be my guide as to what to eat during chemo. I also had cravings. I would say to give in to them, Emie. This (in my most humble opinion) is not the time to try to figure out a new eating plan. It is more important to get some food into you. Small helpings are a good idea.

    I ate no fresh fruits or veggies during chemo due to immune deficiency —thus not being able to fight any contaminants on these foods. I did eat jarred fruits and craved mandarin oranges. I also drank a lot of V-8 juice. Egg salad was appealing and Edy's natural fruit popsicles. Pasta was appealing too but not with sauce. Like Mary, chicken soup tasted good and so did baked potatoes with butter.

    I drank what seemed like quarts of water. Thank goodness for my giant Tervis cup with the lid that held a straw. I could only drink water through a straw. Go figure!

    Are you having 3 sessions of internal radiation or what? Do you have UPSC?

    I am heading off to saute some fresh broccolini and eat a cherimoya. Never had one before. I crave fruits and veggies like I never did before.
  • minniejan
    minniejan Member Posts: 88
    #6
    JoAnnDK said:

    body as guide
    Mary, I got the same advice as you, to let my body be my guide as to what to eat during chemo. I also had cravings. I would say to give in to them, Emie. This (in my most humble opinion) is not the time to try to figure out a new eating plan. It is more important to get some food into you. Small helpings are a good idea.

    I ate no fresh fruits or veggies during chemo due to immune deficiency —thus not being able to fight any contaminants on these foods. I did eat jarred fruits and craved mandarin oranges. I also drank a lot of V-8 juice. Egg salad was appealing and Edy's natural fruit popsicles. Pasta was appealing too but not with sauce. Like Mary, chicken soup tasted good and so did baked potatoes with butter.

    I drank what seemed like quarts of water. Thank goodness for my giant Tervis cup with the lid that held a straw. I could only drink water through a straw. Go figure!

    Are you having 3 sessions of internal radiation or what? Do you have UPSC?

    I am heading off to saute some fresh broccolini and eat a cherimoya. Never had one before. I crave fruits and veggies like I never did before.

    body as guide
    Hello,

    I agree. Finished chemo about three months ago for UPSC. Eat what you can tolerate, whatever appeals to you as you are going through chemo. Funny, I craved V 8 juice as well, chicken soup, baked potatoes and pasta. I also crave fruits and veggies now, mostly veggies. Looking for some good swiss chard recipes. And my husband is sick of my onion breathe!

    Minniejan
  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    #7
    Onions are a very potent weapon
    against cancer, espicailly when eaten raw.

    Your poor hubby. But at least you'll be around for a while, that should cheer him up some.
  • ErnieOb
    ErnieOb Member Posts: 6
    #8
    missbabsonmars said:

    Anti-Cancer Diet
    If you want to do everything in your power to slow down the progression of your cancer, begin investigating complimentary treatments like the anti-cancer diet, which some of us on this board follow in varying degrees.

    http://www.anticancerbook.com/

    Dr. David Servan-Schreiber's book: Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life is a primary source for much of the recommendations that integrative medical specilists, including some oncologists, are making.

    I have been doing some
    I have been doing some research, but there's a lot out there and it's overwhelming at times. I will check out the book, thank you!
  • ErnieOb
    ErnieOb Member Posts: 6
    #9
    jazzy1 said:

    Chemo
    Welcome to our humble group! While I was in chemo a good friend of mine who's an RN in oncology dept gave me wonderful guidance. One thing she suggested, even if I wasn't hungry or felt nauseous try to eat small amounts of foods. For instance, crackers, milk, applesauce and lots of fluids. Recommended Gatorade type drink to replenish the fluids lost during chemo. Also, Whey protein drinks, as I drank 2 per day which helped build me up after the toxins from chemo pulled me way down.

    If you're going into radiation (external pelvic) I was told after 2 weeks to start avoiding lots of bulk with vegies and fruits (difficult for me as I live on these foods). As well drink lots of fluids and I felt more tired and draggish from radiation vs. chemo...yikes! Know when radiation is complete, it'll take a few months before the energy level is back.

    Good luck to you and keep on asking questions as you'll learn from many of us who have been in your shoes...
    Jan

    Yes, my nurse has told me
    Yes, my nurse has told me the same. I/m just now terribly hungry the weekend following chemo. Even when I was really hungry during the last round, it was hard to find anything I *wanted* to eat.

    Thank you for your suggestions, I have my next round coming up next Thursday, so I can try some of the things you've suggested above. Thank you so much!

    I'll keep you suggestions in mind about the the radiation. I'm only doing 3 radiation treatments. I'm hoping that it doesn't affect energy wise as badly as the chemo. I can't even get out bed the weekend after chemo!
  • ErnieOb
    ErnieOb Member Posts: 6
    #10
    maryv1119 said:

    Food Suggestions
    When I was going through Chemo I didn't eat much, but I did have cravings. So, I'd say let your body be your guide. I drank lots and lots of water, and would get overwhelming cravings for certain fruits and was easily able to keep them down, even with terrible nausea. Canned chicken noodle soup also seemed to do well with me.

    It seems like chemo "reset" my tastes. Before chemo I ate a lot of highly processed foods, now I eat a lot of fresh fruits, veg, and lean meat.

    I was beginning to dislike
    I was beginning to dislike highly processed foods before I was diagnosed, so I do try eat fresh fruits and veggies.

    I was thinking about trying canned chicken noodle soup this time. Thank you so much for your comments!
  • ErnieOb
    ErnieOb Member Posts: 6
    #11
    JoAnnDK said:

    body as guide
    Mary, I got the same advice as you, to let my body be my guide as to what to eat during chemo. I also had cravings. I would say to give in to them, Emie. This (in my most humble opinion) is not the time to try to figure out a new eating plan. It is more important to get some food into you. Small helpings are a good idea.

    I ate no fresh fruits or veggies during chemo due to immune deficiency —thus not being able to fight any contaminants on these foods. I did eat jarred fruits and craved mandarin oranges. I also drank a lot of V-8 juice. Egg salad was appealing and Edy's natural fruit popsicles. Pasta was appealing too but not with sauce. Like Mary, chicken soup tasted good and so did baked potatoes with butter.

    I drank what seemed like quarts of water. Thank goodness for my giant Tervis cup with the lid that held a straw. I could only drink water through a straw. Go figure!

    Are you having 3 sessions of internal radiation or what? Do you have UPSC?

    I am heading off to saute some fresh broccolini and eat a cherimoya. Never had one before. I crave fruits and veggies like I never did before.

    You had lots of good
    You had lots of good suggestions, thank you! So far I've not really had cravings, it's more like I don't want anything, even when I'm hungry that weekend following the chemo. I've been reading that it's a good idea to eat smaller meals more times during the day. And yeah, I'm drinking a LOT of water, including sports drinks.

    I am having 3 sessions of internal radiation. I don't think I have UPSC. My cancer was stage 2 and I don't think the Lymph Nodes were involved. The surgeon did a 'wash' of my abdomen before my surgery and they found cancer cells when they analyzed the water. The chemo is to get those 'stray' cells. And the radiation treatment is to prevent the cancer from reappearing on the cuff of the vagina (I think that's what the surgeon said). I'm pretty overwhelmed by the whole thing.

    You dinner sounds great! I've never even heard of cherimoya, but now that I've read about it, I'm going to have to find one!
  • ErnieOb
    ErnieOb Member Posts: 6
    #12
    minniejan said:

    body as guide
    Hello,

    I agree. Finished chemo about three months ago for UPSC. Eat what you can tolerate, whatever appeals to you as you are going through chemo. Funny, I craved V 8 juice as well, chicken soup, baked potatoes and pasta. I also crave fruits and veggies now, mostly veggies. Looking for some good swiss chard recipes. And my husband is sick of my onion breathe!

    Minniejan

    Thank you for your
    Thank you for your suggestions. It all sounds pretty good, actually. I can't help with the swiss chard recipes, but good luck!
  • TiggersDoBounce
    TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
    #13
    Foods
    My Oncologist recommended eating every something 3-4 hours....and to have salty foods. This is important as it will keep you drinking water...

    I remembered bringing some crackers and beverages upto the boudoir at night!

    Laurie

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