Staying healthy while on chemo

My MO didn't want me taking any antioxidants that weren't foods, no alcohol (liver under enough stress with the chemo). Wash all fresh veggies with special veggie wash, not just water, and no raspberries. She said there's no way you can clean them well enough. The dietician also wanted me to get 70 gm of protein a day to help the body with the healing process. Couldn't use whey protein with soy because of my estrogen + tumor (soy OK to eat now and then but not on a daily basis MO said) but I found a brand at GMC without soy.

I wiped down all commonly used surfaces every day with lysol cleaning wipes (faucets, light switches, door knobs, remotes, phones, frig and microwave doors) and continue that routine still. Lew did most of the shopping so I didn't have to be out amongst people, and when I did start going out I wiped down the cart handle with wipes. Sanitize hands after handling any money. Lew works at the university in a lab with students - lots of hands on work, and made a point of washing his hands at work before coming home. Maybe have kids and hubby wash their hands as they come in the door at home. Your body does its best repair work during sleep. You'll probably get steroids as part of your chemo and those cause insomnia so listen to your body and nap when you need to. There were days I'd take an hour nap morning AND afternoon.

Fatigue can be the biggest problem, set priorities, accept any help that's offered and be specific what people can do for you, like bringing some meals or going shopping for you. The only flavor I could taste was lemon, and my girlfriend brought me a bag of everything lemon, from lemon juice, to lemon suckers to lemonade. Another friend brought me homemade soup. Even if it's not food for you to eat, bringing a meal that your family can eat can help with the work load.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

You already got some fantastic advice from the ladies above. I would like to add that my onco told me not to eat any veggies AT ALL when eating out. Only ones you have personally washed yourself. Cross contamination is just too risky. They also told me to avoid foods that are notorious for food poisoning like shellfish. Also it is important that you don't put your hands on your face. Even if you have bacteria on your hands, they will only hurt you if you rub your eyes, put finger in your mouth etc. I got used to hitting elevator buttons/ bathroom doors etc with my elbows. My kids would come home from school and immediately wash their hands with warm water without having touched any surfaces. About vitamins, my onco, to this day, will not allow me to take any supplements at all. He thinks vitamins can feed cancer cells. That's why I still eat a completely clean diet with loads of fruits and vegetables and very little meat. There are certain foods that are amazing cancer fighters like the cabbage family and carrot/sweet potatoes, mushrooms, etc. I think it's a good idea to cut sugar too. Stay hydrated with lots of water. Anyway, getting through chemo is the first step and eating will be a bit difficult so at least stay away from junk food for now and you'll be fine. Taking little naps is a wonderful help. After the first few days when you feel worst after each infusion, maybe you could take a walk outside if your doctor okays it. I did that and now have worked up to running each day (I finished chemo early 2013) It really keeps me feeling good and getting the sunshine when I'm outside seems helpful to me. Whatever you do, visiting this website is a huge help. You get an answer to any problem usually same day. The people on here are just wonderful. Good luck with your treatment and stay strong, Anna

here's s 35 minute presentation (technical at times), by Dr Aggarwal of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.  He's been a researcher there for some time. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnnm15CHRi8

The essense of his  talk is that curcumin, along with a number of other plant derived substances, some of which he touches on, inhibits pathways which promote out of control inflammation which can aggravate cancer and other disease states.

Peter

mschaben said:

Chemo

First I want it thank everyone for being so open and helpful.  I have a question about my chemo if anyone has a similar experience.  I was to have my chemo start this week (today). The oncology office called and said they have to postpone it for a few more days due to insurance.  They said insurance approved my chemo but dr.s office supposedly forgot there is guidelines with one of the meds I will be using.  I will be doing the combination of taxotere, perjeta, herceptin and carboplatin.  Supposedly the projeta is the med that ins says it is designed to b used before surgery not after.  Even tho it is being used after surgery and is very beneficial. Since I am her 2 pos with aggressive cancer my dr thinks this is the best combo for me.  So now I get called the day before my appt to say we have to wait just 48hrs.  Well that's a long time when it has to do with ur life.  we have very good ins and a supplement that picks up what they don't. Has anyone had this med and issues with it being pd for. ?  I was very angry yesterday cuz for one I have cancer and for two this is week 6 after my surgery.  I don't want to just sit here waiting like it's no big deal. This is my life.  the dr had to tell them why he wants this med and stuff .  Supposed to know hopefully tomorrow. It just makes me sick.  So still haven't got port in and still no treatment yet.  Can anyone reassure me?  

Mary, This must be terribly frustrating for you. I know where you are coming from because I live in a small country in Europe. We often have trouble getting cancer drugs from other countries (often the U.S.) and there are shortages all the time. During my treatment, my husband even traveled to far away cities to find the drugs I needed. He became famous with the chemo nurses for going and getting the drugs himself. I really think you will not have any major problems with delays of 48 hrs. Ask you doctors for reassurance. You will have to learn to be patient during the whole cancer treatment. If it's not one annoying thing, it's another. Just vent to your trusted caregiver and to the people on this site and you will be ok. It seems like cancer is forever, but pretty soon you will be well and maybe helping others thru their journey. Keep posting, Anna