I have started this thread on behalf of new user Debi
Kind regards
Katie
Hello
I am new to the site, my sister (38yrs) was diagnosed with BC and had a mastectomy in December 2007. Now half way through her course of chemo she is struggling and getting upset about weight gain, she has always struggled with her weight but had lost 3 stone before diagnosis. She says she never feels full and cant stop eating, just wondered if anybody had any tips for her. I know it’s the last thing for her to be bothered about but she is and i want to do anything to help.
Thanx
Hi Debi
Sorry youve not had any replies before only just seen this thread. Im on FEC no 3 on Friday I find that after Ive stopped taking the steriods I eat for England and it must be carbs but I dont ever feel full. It reminds me a bit of the week before my period but much worse Im like a woman possessed. It does seem to calm back down and I get control again but Ive got to the point of thinking I will just have to work at it once the chemo is over. I try and be good the rest of the time and hope it will compensate.
Good luck to your sister.
Karen
XXXX
Hi Than,
My advice to your sister would be let your body do the talking at the moment.
Chemo is exhausting though doable. In my opinion if she has a real hunger its a way of her body saying she needs the extra energy resources. I too put on weight whilst on Taxotere combined with the steriods. I have begun to eat less but the weight is slow to move but it will go I know.
Hi Debi,
I put on lots of weight during chemo, and now am putting on more due to Tamoxifen!! Like the others, I’d say wait until after chemo’s over before trying to diet - it’s all wrapped up with the steroids, the emotions and the lack of exercise, and sometimes you feel so empty you just have to fill your face. It’s like a compulsion. However, I would suggest having some really nice healthy snacks available for those times when it doesn’t need to be chocolate cake eg crudites and low fat dips, exotic fruits like melon, pineapple, mango if she likes that sort of thing. Also, trying to get a little walk in the fresh air every day when that’s possible is good for you in all kinds of ways - burns a few calories, helps you sleep better, gets rid of adrenaline and emotional stress, cheers you up, etc Even 15 mins round the block can make a huge difference.
It’s tough when you’ve had surgery, lost hair, feel like a pincushion and then feel fat and flabby on top of it all. She’s lucky to have a sister like you. Help her to feel feminine - Buy her a new lipstick, scarf or cheap and cheerful bag. Take her out to chick flicks. Have girls nights with her mates round, with lots of laughter.
I wish her, and you, all the best on this journey you’re on
Jacquie x
hi Debi
I finished a course of chemo and the steroids that go with this 7 weeks ago, I put on 1 and a half stone. The breast cancer I’ve got had already spread when I was diagnosed and my family couldn’t understand why in the light of everything else i was bothered about gaining weight.
I felt as if cancer wasn’t bad enough its all the extras like loosing hair, weight gain etc which just makes it even more unfair. I kept reassuring myself that the weight gain and hair loss and everything else that goes with chemo and steroids was all part of the process to keep the cancer from spreading more.
I’m not dieting now but just don’t seem to need to eat as much and so far I’ve lost 6 pound, my puffy face is also much better.
I also found that visiting these forums helped me loads.
Love to you and your sister,
Liz x
Debi
Only since stopping chemo have I started to relax and therefore have started to put weight on. My advice is to eat as lots of veg and fruit, that seems to fill me up without putting on the pounds. Don’t skip breakfast but have something high fibre plus wholemeal toast. Soup at lunchtime was really good in the winter as it’s comforting to have something warm and filling without needing sugary things. Some friends made me really lovely soups (carrot, sweet potato and almonds was the best).
I hope some of these ideas are useful
with love to you and your sister
Pauline
I have posted this on behalf of Debi
Kind regards
Katie
Hello
Just wanted to thank everybody for their lovely comments, looks like she will just have to put up with it at least until the chemo is over. I have found it really heartwarming that you are all suffering from this horrible cancer yourselves and are still kind and thoughtful enough to answer my fairly insignificant query. My sister is coping fantastically (not easy with a terrible 2yr old!) and i have found her and (after reading posts on these forums) everybody here inspirational almost like super heros for everything you have had to endure.
Love and best wishes to you all
Debi x
Debi:
It is not a small thing. I am going through chemo, only had 2 treatments, but find I am hungry more and even though I try to eat healthy things, that doesn’t seem to be what my body wants. Go figure!!!
Don’t feel bad, just help your sister to understand that her body needs nutrition and this is not the time to worry about dieting. That can come later. At least, that’s what I tell myself!!!
Emily
xxx
Hi, Debi and everyone
Like the other ladies, I know what your sister’s going through. When I had my first chemo, I was advised to eat a snack every two hours as this would help to stop feeling sickly. I quickly gained at least one and a half stone. I couldn’t shift it for ages and ages, but it has started to come off very slowly now. And my puffy face has gone down as well, so there is light at the end of the tunnel, tell your sis.
My son’s getting married in 8 weeks and I’m obsessed with doing something with my hair and I’ve only got a few eyebrows. I’ve never been a makeup person and haven’t a clue what to do, wearing it only for special events in the past. I haven’t even tried applying it yet due to neuropathy in the fingers. Only one thing for it - treat myself to a facial and have the full works 
Or better still - get hubby to treat me hahaha.
xx
Hi Grannyscouse
I am posting the following link to the very popular ‘look good feel better’ courses which are available around the country in various cancer centres, they offer make up sessions which I thought may be of interest to you:
lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Lucy
Thank you for that link, Lucy. I’ll get in touch with the Christie Hospital. I’ve seen the ladies being made up there but it hadn’t occurred to me to book myself in, partly due to the fact that I’m only there for treatment.
Good luck to us all.
xx
I have to encourage anyone who has the opportunity to attend one of the pampering/make up sessions to go-I had mine at the Deansley unit-Wolverhampton whilst undergoing radiotherapy.It was brilliant, nothing less and the kit I came away with was super-lots of products(and an idea how to use them !)it really made me feel part of the living world again.