My doctor mentioned casually that I should peel fruit and veg or cook them. Are there other rules I should know about with chemo? The only leaflet I was given was how to increase my weight if I have lost my appetite. My mother had non-Hodgkins lymphoma which she chose not to treat, and towards the end she could manage only an egg cup full of food. I tried to give her some chocolate so she could get a bit of energy, but she said no, it was fattening.
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Hi @Androcles a great big welcome to our forum and a really good question to ask.
I am so sorry to hear about your mothers situation, it must be so difficult for you.
Perhaps you and your mother should ask her doctor the question about foods as they are the ones that know her whole whole medical history and situation.
They also need to know any changes in foods and what her intake is.
You might both write down the questions and be pleasantly assertive until you get the answers you need
It sounds as if your mother is also worried about putting on weight.
Perhaps a referral to a nutritionist might help
Really look after yourselves and please do keep posting.
Hi, @Androcles
My experiences, food restriction wise with my various morbidities including Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) is around some fruits, mainly Grapefruit and Oranges.
Effects on the rate of absorption of toxic drugs can happen. Hitting key organs like kidneys and liver, or not being so efficient.
My restrictions have always been made clear both by CSN’s and Pharmacist’s.
Hope you get a clearer understanding from your team or someone like a clinical dietitian.
Sorry, I wasn’t clear. My mother died 8 years ago. I was hoping there might be some general food advice for everyone on chemotherapy.
Oh, I am so, so sorry @Androcles, I really do apologise.
I think I still say there is no general advice for people on chemotherapy, everyone really is an individual with a unique medical history and their clinicians might give slightly different advice that can also change over time as research findings change.
It must be so difficult for you having nursed your mother with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, it must bring it all back for you.
Research and trials means that new treatments are often becoming available.
Really look after yourself and please do keep posting.
Good Morning @Androcles,
I hope you are well? Big welcome to our forum.
We actually have a really great booklet on ‘eating well with Blood cancer’, I have attached the link here, you can download it or order a hard copy - Eating well with blood cancer booklet | Blood Cancer UK Shop I hope this will have some useful tips and tricks.
Always best to discuss any specific dietary questions with your treating team but hopefully the booklet will offer some guidance.
Best Wishes,
Heidi J (Support Services Nurse)
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Hi
The only time I was given food advice was when neutrapenic and given a booklet to read.
Other than that I just eat a varied diet now
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Thanks. That was helpful, but it was mainly generic advice that I knew anyway. I started looking because I was told not to eat any fruit or uncookws vegetable skins, or any salad, but the book just said wash the fruit properly and don’t eat damaged fruit. I guess I’ll have to hope the medical team points out any more specific instructions .
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