What to avoid on chemo

[CK]

Annie
You are right about the googling. I did at the beginning and got myself worked up so much.xx

[Anniej]

Jencat, you're absolutely right, once you have your treatment plan you will feel much more in control. Regardless of your path results your medical team will do their very best for you and you will find the treatment tailored for you. Not always easy, but very doable. One step at a time. Don't look too far ahead, and definitely don't Google!!! X

[CK]

Hi Jencat
Hipe you are feeling better! I've posted a new thread about my Sept 4th chemo start! Going to worry about it more near the date!
Fight! Fight! Fight!!!xxx

[Jencat]

Thank you for your lovely reply CK. We will fight this together!

Hope your appointment went well today, I've been thinking of you. Good that you've taken a friend with you for support and to remember what's been said! I often can't and I think I sometimes latch on to the negatives sometimes too!

Think maybe it'll be easier when I've got a treatment plan and had these scans, which I'm nervous about xx

[CK]

Jencat
Mine too was Grade 0 DCIS op and radio would sort...then to be told G2, chemo, anorher op, radio and tablets! Deffo a big shock but need to prepare for treatment now with a pisitive mind.

We will fight it together my love.xx

[Jencat]

Ck, It's looking likely that I'll have to have chemo now, feel gutted as my cancer started at Stage 0. Thinking of you too xx

[CK]

I will do Annie j
I will see how I get on with my chemo nurse this Weds and see when I start and how I react to the chemo. Starting to get anxious now.xx

[Anniej]

Excellent news. You'll love it. I go to Pilates and Tai Chi there. Also went on a make up session which was fab! Get signed up for it asap. 😍 X

[CK]

Hi Annie j
I've found one in Christies which is 20 minutes from me! I actually know people who go so they are going to take me later in the week after I e seen my Chemo lady.xx

[Anniej]

Maggies is a haven for cancer patients which we have in Newcastle. It has both paid and voluntary staff and provides advice on a wide number of issues for cancer patients. Also exercise classes, drop in groups etc etc. There are a number around country mainly near large cities.

[CK]

AnnieJ
I see you mention Maggie's. Which one is that?x

[blueash]

Peeled fruit because you are not eating the skin which may have come into contact with anything that has germs. Salad I suppose might be OK if you are careful but I was just recounting what I was told.

I was also told not to use public transport or clean up after pets.

[Anniej]

Blueash, peeled fruit is raw, so what is the problem with salad if properly washed? This is all very confusing! My nurse didn't say anything about this in my pre- chemo assessment and I've been eating loads of raw fruit and veg to help my immune system . I was also advised by a nutritionist at Maggies to avoid hormone fed foodstuffs as my cancer is oestrogen positive, so as cannot afford organic beef and chicken I have gone pescatarian! Could murder a burger!!! I just give up with all this conflicting advice . Think I'll just live on bread and jam from now on. X

[blueash]

I was told not to eat fruit that you did not have to peel or anything raw. I think it is all to do with not having a good immune system that would usually cope ok with those.

It was never a problem I just did not eat salad and I would not eat anything else raw or under cooked anyway. I prefer medium beef or steak but it was not an issue to cook it a bit more.

[Sue C]

Thanks Annie, that's great. Will take a look xx

[Anniej]

'Foodforbreastcancer.com' should take you to it, Sue. When you go on to each food it then opens up and gives you more details of the food. There are two pages, one good, one of foods to avoid. I got a bit of an eye opener as parabans from plastics apparently are in shell fish . Bad enough we're checking make up and toiletries !!! 😟

[Sue C]

Annie, where can I find that leaflet on food stuff? Really interested in your post.

Thanks xx

[Sarah9314]

Thank you guys so much! Nothing ott in terms of what we can do to minimise chance of infection!

[Anniej]

Hi there's a good active leaflet about foodstuffs. If you look for aromatise inhibitor foods you should get a list of 'good ' foods . Then if you go on each food it tells you what it does for the body. Aromatise inhibitors is when you are on hormone treatment, but I have used this as a guide throughout. I have stayed away from fatty snack foods as, contrary to popular belief, some people put on weight due to steroids. However, the gsf injections caused me to have dire wind and stomach cramps which only carbs soothed. I'm oestrogen positive so did food swaps. Now have almond milk and yogurts, no red meat or animal / fish that has been fed hormones to make them grow. Mainly veg and sea fish now.  My chemo nurse was not keen to discuss nutrition, just recommended a healthy diet, and when felt crap eat something - anything you fancy. And it does get to that stage. Some foods are better combined eg. Strawberries with blueberries are more effective inhibiting cancer cells. If you are near a Maggies centre there is loads there on nutrition, and the staff are very knowledgable . Just re read this - sorry if ott! X

[Carole M]

Hi, because of neutropenia risk your mum should avoid:

unpasteurised milk and dairy, blue cheese, Stilton, Brie,

products containing live bacteria e.g. Bio yoghurts like Activia, Yakult,

ice cream from machines or vans,

prewashed or prepared salads,

undercooked fish or meat, e.g. Rare steak or sushi,

shellfish,

pate,

reheated rice or poultry.

eggs should be cooked hard, fruit and salad washed well. Takeaways must b hot and not reheated.

its similar to pregnancy list I think.

this was given to me by my hospital.

[Sue C]

Hi

I don't remember having to avoid any foods at all. But if her appetite is not great, then eat small amounts regularly. I think it will be down to how she feels. I remember feeling extremely hungry in the first couple of days and I think that was due to the steroids. Others find that they can't eat much at that time at all. Take on lots of fluids to wash out the chemo and eat plenty of fruit and veg.

Sue x

[Sarah9314]

Hi, My mum had her first chemo session on Tuesday and wasn't given any info about things she should avoid eating. Any tips?