Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Fruit and veggies are definitely on the list! Just make sure they're washed well. If apples, bananas, and cottage cheese are appealing, go for it. I've eaten a lot of yogurt with apples, dried cherries, prunes, honey, and cinnamon since I started chemo. For apples, cherries, honey and spices have had at least recognizable taste thought chemo. Hopefully, you'll find some things that taste OK when your taste buds are off. The bottom line is to eat whatever is remotely appealing when your stomach is upset or your taste buds abandon you
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Hello beautiful ladies!
I've been catching up and you are all making me chuckle! This is such a great release for everyone. I love all the discussion of food. I had a huge craving for hot dogs this week! I have not had a hot dog since a few this summer. I went and got, not one, but two packages of all beef dogs - figured they were less lethal! And I got squishy white egg buns (have not eaten white bread or much of any bread in ages!). I rushed home and ate one! Yummmm! I guess I was influenced by all the media hype as well!! I already have cancer, so what the h*ll!
It's hard to find things that taste good, but then I'm starving and need something quickly! I see many of you can relate!
Here's a great article on scary mommy that is a hilarious take on Halloween candy in light of today's celebration!
http://www.ravishly.com/2015/10/30/defense-letting...
I have my 4th A/C Monday. 😁 I can't wait because it means I'm halfway! 😜 My MO said to cut the decadron in half - that is the steroid and I was taking two on day 2 and 3. It really helped with the steroid SE's. Might be something to consider if your nausea is not too bad. There are the other meds that you can pile on for nausea that don't cause insomnia, so that might work. I also have given in to taking two Advil PM's every night and then if I wake up at 3, I take two Benedryl!
Those of you who are having SE's with Neulasta - do you do the Claritin/Aleve regiment? I have and no SE's from Neulasta.
Happy Halloween! I was thinking of posting my bald head on FB today as my scary costume!! It still scares me to look in the mirror. 😳
Hugs to everyone! Hang in there! We can do this!
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To all you wonderful ladies, I want to say thank you for the amazing displays of strength and encouragement. I am definitely more of the quiet observer type, but I have been following the group for over a month now, and it helps tremendously.
Artista, I will second the mashed potatoes recommendation. I've eaten potatoes the first few days after both rounds of AC I've done and find it very easy. I also rely on eggs, yogurt with fruit, and tons of mild soup. Watery, pureed broccoli soup is my top choice to get more fluids, nutrients, and fiber. You will probably need to try a few things to see what you can tolerate.
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Whoever posted the link to the buff type head wraps could you repost it? I can't find the link I saved and they had better colors than the original buff. Thanks
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Artista - I have at least 34 weeks of treatment ahead of me.
When I talk "eyes on the finish line," I'm using my Hubble Telescope!
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Annie is this it for the boho bandeaus?
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Lisa, keep that Hubble focused! It's kind of like the decathalon or something similar with mini finish lines along the way. I chose to view each step as a victory.
Annie, if you Google boho bandeau you will find those buffs.
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yes! Thank you!
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yes Annie that is the place I got the boho bandeaus, just don't get the crocheted ones they actually have holes, I thought it looked like there was a layer of solid underneath. I gave that one to DD LOL!!
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Minesota, 34 weeks of chemo???? Yikes! Well, it may be just you and I in here later on in here actually still on chemo. All I can do is whine about what you already know since I'm so behind everyone.........but we can hold each other up! xo
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Halloween candy tastes like poo. It couldn't wait to taste bad until tomorrow?
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Ugh. DH took the kids out trick or treating so I manned the door and got to watch the Minnesota-Michigan game. So frustrated with how it ended. Now watching the UW-Arizona game.
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Are you guys doing the baking soda rinse right before you eat anything? I'm organizing my notes from the 2 chemo teach classes and found this tip for taste. Also to drink water before you eat anything. So maybe rinse then drink water before you eat anything for taste to be better?
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Artista, I do the baking soda thing twice a day: in am and before bed. It doesn't help me with taste, but it does seem to prevent mouth sores: I had a start of one, started the baking soda, no problems since.
Interestingly, my taste buds have been off each chemo round, but in different ways each round. Previously, strong foods and vinegary things tasted best. This round, it is anything sweet! Ice cream is my friend! (not really, but it sure tastes good!)
Hugs
Octogirl
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Artista- I have goldfish crackers on my bedstand. They come in a small closeable milk carton like container so stay tidy and fresh. I would add ginger ale to your list also. I agree with others about potatoes -I like them baked. A real comfort food.
I just finished AC (shudder) and will start 4 DD taxol on Thursday. Started B-6, Glutamine powder and turkey tail mushroom capsules to ward off neuropathy. I am unsure of dosage for Glut. Can anyone help? Other suggestions regarding SE s?
I so relate with all the comments on taste. I made chili yesterday and had to have hubs check on seasoning. I'm a throw it in there and adjust seasoning as it cooks kind of cook. No can do.
To those facing AC this week- be strong! You can do it. Ask for help with SE and remember they are temporary.
Blessings to all for a good week ahead. xo0 -
Post AC food... honestly I was on enough anti-nausea meds and steroids that I could eat anything I wanted. I was craving carbs like crazy, but that contributes to the constipation. Not recommended. Prunes - highly recommended. Lots of water too. Day 4 - 7 keep the bactine or salt/baking soda wash handy; 2-3 times per day will help keep the mouth grossness at bay. Yes, clearing your mouth before you eat will give you a little more taste. Very very temporarily. If you have any peppermint candies, those will help clear your pallet too - and keep nausea at bay. Peppermint tea too.
MO said if I could control my nausea in other ways or with minimal meds, it was fine to cut the dexamethasone (steroids) in half. This is helping me stave off the withdrawal headache and constipation this time round. I hope having some pizza wasn't a mistake... probably was... doubling down on the Miralax and prune juice just to be safe. Fissure hasn't bled in a day or two. Woot!
Happy Halloween September Buddies! 1 more month down. Full steam ahead to the holidays!
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Ariista suck on ice during the adriamycin push; it helps mouth soreness. I drank a 32oz Gatorade or Powerade during my chemo infusion which helped me pee out the red devil. I use Biotene mouth rinse in the am/pm and also use the baking soda rinse in between. I mix up a water bottle of baking soda rinse each day and leave it in the bathroom.
As far as foods to help nausea I have a small ziplock bag of animal crackers on my bedside table. The sweetness helps settle my tummy. And flat room temp ginger ale. Arizona iced tea with ginseng helps me too.
Small frequent meals really do help. I find that if I don't eat on time I can get more nauseous. I learned to know when my body needed food even though I did't feel hungry. It's weird to eat when you don't want anything but feel better after. I do make smaller portions of food like cutting a sandwich in half or even quarters. It's easier to look at and think about eating when there is not so much on my plate.
Comfort foods for me are mac & cheese, tuna fish, ice cream, baked or mashed potatoes, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese, chicken noodle soup, and pickles when I needed to just taste or clear my mouth yuckiness. Foods to help constipation for me are prunes or dried apricots, oatmeal, pears, and salad when I could tolerate it. My mo nurse said apples can help with nausea and they did for me. Water during AC tasted metal after round 2 so I used flavor packets for awhile then I tried watered down grape juice or cranberry.
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Thank you so much ladies! So appreciate your tips. I'm getting kinda scared for Tues. I doubt it'll be delayed again as I'm feeling better after last weeks iron infusions. Taking notes and organizing them for easy access when the brain is more gone than it already is!
Hope everyone has a restful Sunday. xo
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Artista - It's 34 more weeks for the total treatment plan. The first 6 weeks of chemo are complete. I have 2 more weeks A/C, 12 of Taxol and 6 of aromatase, 8 weeks for surgery and 6 weeks of radiation in the plan. (Not in that order.) Six weeks of aromatase is the last (?) stage of treatment per the current plan.
If results are satisfactory and the MO sticks to this, I will have had 26 weeks of chemo total by spring.
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Hi Arista Im not going to tell you not to be scared but I can reassure you that the unknown is what is so scary. Everyone has given you great tips, take the meds you are given and you'll be fine. Keeping you in my prayers and I hope Tursday comes around quickly so you can just start.
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My journey started end of May when I felt a lot of pain in my left breast. After end of April, which is 6 mo of chemo, is 3 weeks "rest" before rads for 6 wks. Then another "rest" for 3-4 weeks and the tissue expanders come out and perm implants in. So I figure mid-summer if all goes to plan I should be "done," although I'll be on tamox or AI for 5-10 years being ER+.
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Finally...FINALLY..able to tolerate water. Filled up glass with ice, water and generous slices of lemon. And it tasted like it was supposed to, I can't tell you how happy I am about that. And being up and down all night to pee didn't bother me as I am thrilled to be able to hydrate. The dry mouth was getting too much. I'm fortunate to not have developed open sores. Biotene and baking soda/water rinses every time I go into the bathroom seems to help. I think you can never do it too many times as long as the water/baking soda ratio isn't too strong in favour of baking soda. Coffee is still off for me. Tastes salty but still manageable.
And of course, with no nose hairs and dripping all the time, I've caught a cold. I'm congested and have a sore throat. Hopefully it clears up before Thursdays first infusion of Taxol. My labs have been good all along and I'm keeping fingers crossed it continues.
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Artista I had constipation so bad after round 2. I literally tried every product out there. Here's what worked really well. Colace with stimulant 2 pills every night starting night before steroids. Mira lax every morning in my hot drink. Mid morning I had another hot drink with a spoon of coconut oil stirred in. Oatmeal once a day with chopped prunes in it. I hope you don't get it, but if you do this worked like a charm to stop it 2nd round and avoid it altogether 3rd round.
Oh and a daily acid med like nexium or prilosec is a must.
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Oh Annie..this perfectly sums up our daily struggles
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Right on, Annie...
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anyone else get weepy really easily? Round 3 sucks mightily. Give us all strength
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Weepy....sobbing....serious moments of abyss...I get it all. Round 3 is hard. It's hard looking ahead to round 4 which logically might be worse yet.
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LindyC - Congrats on good progress (sorry about the cold). I battled mouth sores this past week and will steal your brilliant idea to rinse with baking soda after every bathroom visit.
Artista - Thanks for sharing your background story and more on your treatment plan. You and I will still be here in the spring for sure, fellow marathoner.
Hope everyone is having a restful weekend.
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