Prep for chemo??? fast? Eat?

neeliec
neeliec Member Posts: 106
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
How do you all prepare for chemo? I start next week. Do I fast for the blood test they do before chemo?
thanks!, neelieC

Comments

  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #2
    Although you will surely get answers here, your Doc should be able to give you dietary instructions related to the type of chemo you are receiving, or refer you to their nurse/diet expert. I've never fasted for pre-chemo blood tests, and drink a lot of liquids before & after chemo. Nanuk
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #3
    Good luck to you, Neelie. One of the best pieces of advice I got was to be sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after treatment. At one point, the taste of water was not appealing at all; very diluted cream soda or ginger ale did the trick. The blood tests usually do not involve any fasting; they are most concerned about blood counts, which are not affected by eating first, and typically do not become a concern until you are a little further along in treatment. Best wishes to you on this phase of treatment. Judy
  • gabor
    gabor Member Posts: 25 Member
    #4
    My dad and husband received treatment for rectal cancer and they were both told to eat and drink plenty of fluids. My husband tolerated his treatments better on a full stomach. Checking with your doctor is your best bet. Good luck with everything.
    Linda
  • Shandle
    Shandle Member Posts: 204
    #5
    Hi Sweetie, I never had to fast either. I could eat whatever I wanted. I was sooooo scared, so I understand what you are going through. At the cancer center where I go, they have a table set up all the time with snack foods, and we are encouraged to eat so we have food in our stomachs. Take bottle water with you, your favorite magazine/book or something to keep you busy unless you just want to snooozzzz. You won't feel much different after the first treatment, but you'll be mentally tired from it. You'll be fine, and we'll be right here! :-)~ Wanda
  • MJay
    MJay Member Posts: 132
    #6
    I didn't eat before my first chemo treatment. Nerves were horrible so getting food down was the last thing I wanted to do.

    After my treatment I had the shakes and shivers something fierce. From then on I ate every time before and no problems. Usually I would just drink one of those Boost drinks. Vanilla wasn't bad.

    MJay
  • neeliec
    neeliec Member Posts: 106
    #7
    Shandle said:

    Hi Sweetie, I never had to fast either. I could eat whatever I wanted. I was sooooo scared, so I understand what you are going through. At the cancer center where I go, they have a table set up all the time with snack foods, and we are encouraged to eat so we have food in our stomachs. Take bottle water with you, your favorite magazine/book or something to keep you busy unless you just want to snooozzzz. You won't feel much different after the first treatment, but you'll be mentally tired from it. You'll be fine, and we'll be right here! :-)~ Wanda

    Thanks to you all for sharing. I'll let you know how I fare. I pray daily for us all in this site. Blessings, neelieC
  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    #8
    MJay said:

    I didn't eat before my first chemo treatment. Nerves were horrible so getting food down was the last thing I wanted to do.

    After my treatment I had the shakes and shivers something fierce. From then on I ate every time before and no problems. Usually I would just drink one of those Boost drinks. Vanilla wasn't bad.

    MJay

    I agree that water is sooooo important. It really flushes everything out. I ate something lite before my morning chemo. Usually bread or a bagel.I also brought food to chemo. Maybe a drink of juice or water and raisins, an apple, a Zone bar. Most of the time I didn't eat it till I was finished, but I like having it there. ( I've seen people drink Starbucks Frapps during chemo!!! Guess that's New York for you.)

    Something I've found very very helpful are those small round peppermints. The white ones with red stripes. They've been around for years and years. They helped settle my stomach and take away that nasty taste in my mouth.

    I swear I sucked on those and lolipops for an entire year.

    Best of luck to you.

    Barb

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