Chemo starts tomorrow, just one more question I promise!

Pamela B · February 2013

Did you all eat before your chemo treatments? I sort of feel it will be my last meal for a while but I would hate to make a mess at the chemo center if I react badly to the drugs!

wholfmeister · February 2013

Breathe!

I suggest you have a light breakfast, things you like. You will need a little something in your belly to sustain you. Take some good snacks with you. Fruit. Crackers. nuts. My center actually serves us a light lunch. I can't promise you it won't happen to you, but I've been doing chemo since March, and I haven't seen, heard, or known anyone to vomit at the infusion center. Did you start the miralax?

TracieK · February 2013

Eating

They have so much stuff they can give to prevent that. I don't remember anyone having that issue at my place either. Try not to be afraid of the meds, and eat light, easy things. I was to nervous to eat before my first day. Then I found out I did ok. I just ate lighter before IP, because I had some pressure with it. I did not have pain with it though,and I munched throughout the time I was there to get nourishment. Miralax, fluids, and nourishment. Remember....You are much stronger than you could have ever imagined!

Tracie

Pamela B · February 2013

wholfmeister said:
Breathe!
I suggest you have a light breakfast, things you like. You will need a little something in your belly to sustain you. Take some good snacks with you. Fruit. Crackers. nuts. My center actually serves us a light lunch. I can't promise you it won't happen to you, but I've been doing chemo since March, and I haven't seen, heard, or known anyone to vomit at the infusion center. Did you start the miralax?

Miralax is in. One dose a day

Miralax is in. One dose a day it says. Do I need more? I think I am constipated just thining about it! Drinking tons of water today as well. I usually have a fruit, protein powder, and kale/spinach smoothie for breakfast very early. I think that will be light enough. Thanks again!

wholfmeister · February 2013

What time?

What time is your appt tomorrow? What time zone are you? I want top be very intentional in holding you up in prayer. I wish I could go with you!

forme · February 2013

Thinking of you

Hi Pamela

Just wanted to say hello and let you know that I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as you start your chemo. Listen to these amazing ladies, they know what they are talking about. We are all here for you.

Hugs

Lisha

Tethys41 · February 2013

Pamela B said:
Miralax is in. One dose a day
Miralax is in. One dose a day it says. Do I need more? I think I am constipated just thining about it! Drinking tons of water today as well. I usually have a fruit, protein powder, and kale/spinach smoothie for breakfast very early. I think that will be light enough. Thanks again!

Mirilax

Your body will dictate how much Mirilax you need each day. You also want to take stool softeners. The Mirilax can't move anything that is too solid. I got hit hard by chemo and found I needed the stool softeners twice a day and the Mirilax twice a day, to keep things moving. If you fall behind and need an extra push, glycerin suppositories can also be helpful.

There is research out there that says fasting before chemo helps make the treatment more effective. I don't know if this is true with all chemo drugs, it appears to be true with doxil. The approach is to eat a huge breakfast the day before chemo, consisting of fat and protein, and little to no carbs. Then the patient only eats proten and fats for the few hours following chemo, then back to their normal diet. This serves to starve the cancer cells of sugars, their main fuel source. The chemo drugs are administered in a solution which contains sugar. So, the chemo drugs are preferentially absorbed by the hungry cancer cells, meaning that a higher pecentage of the drugs are taken in by the cancer cells, resulting in more effective treatments, fewer side effects and less damage to the normal cells.

lovesanimals · February 2013

Hi Pamela

Ask away! You're asking good questions; ask as many as you want! I didn't really change my eating habits before my chemo treatments, although I did try to make a point of eating more than my usual amount of fruits and vegetables. I brought light snacks to the chemo center and I ate a good dinner after my treatment. By the next morning, I felt the fatigue and loss of appetite. Each of my chemo treatments took about four or five hours. At my cancer center, each of the chemo "stations" is set up with its own TV. I brought reading material with me but being the TV-holic that I am, I ended up watching my favorite TV shows with headphones for the entire time. I was a happy camper.

Please keep us posted when you can. Sending lots of prayers your way!

Hugs,

Kelly

kikz · February 2013

I would have a light

breakfast and took some food with me. I never felt sick until about the third day after the infusion so eating was never a problem. I only threw up once during my whole treatment and that was after three doses of morphine at the ER.

Karen

Glad to be done · February 2013

kikz said:
I would have a light
breakfast and took some food with me. I never felt sick until about the third day after the infusion so eating was never a problem. I only threw up once during my whole treatment and that was after three doses of morphine at the ER.

Karen

Hi Pamela - Just wanted you

Hi Pamela - Just wanted you to know I am thinking about you today. I know how hard the first day is. After this it will become so much easier because you know what to expect. Going to the infusion room will become the norm. You will be on a first name basis with the staff before you know it.

Please post and let us know how it went when you get a chance.

Eileen

Glad to be done · February 2013