Helpful Tools for Improving Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Maintaining adequate nutrition is a crucial part of your cancer treatment. Eating a variety of foods daily from all food groups will help you obtain the nutrients you need to maintain your strength, feel better during your treatment, and/or heal any post-operative wounds. However, you may have difficulty consuming some foods either due to the cancer itself or to the side effects of the treatment. Therefore, you may need to make some changes to improve your food intake based on your symptoms. Keeping a food journal can take the confusion out of how many calories and how much protein you take in each day.
Nausea and Vomiting: Eat slowly and take small bites or sips. Eat dry foods like toast and crackers, especially after waking in the morning, and even before getting out of bed. Eat smaller portions of food that are low in fat since they are easier to digest and move through the the stomach faster, but eat more often to make up for your calorie and protein needs. Limit overly sweet or spicy foods. Do not lie down flat for at least 2 hours after eating. Resting should be done sitting down or if necessary to recline, make sure your head is at least 4 inches higher than your feet. Wear loose fitting clothing and breathe fresh cool air to help relieve symptoms.
Taste Alterations: Tart foods enhance flavors. Try orange juice, pickles, lemons, limes or tomato juice (avoid this if you have a sore mouth or throat). If meats are not appealing, try marinating meats in fruit juice, sweet wine or Italian dressing. Try meat alternatives such as eggs, cheese, tofu, vegetarian meat substitutes, yogurt and nuts. Serve foods chilled or at room temperature.
Loss of Appetite: Avoid drinking fluids with meals. Fluids can produce an early feeling of fulness; limit fluids to 1/2 cup at meals and drink other liquids 2 hours before the meal. Eat several small meals and snacks throughout the day. Keep nutritious snacks available at all times, even when on-the-go. Leftovers make good snacks. Eat a snack before going to bed. Avoid foods that may be gas forming such as salads, cabbage, broccoli, beans and carbonated beverages. Avoid foods with strong odors. Choose cold or room temperature foods and create plenty of ventilation. Create a pleasant environment; if desired spend the mealtime with family and/or friends. Eat when hungry, even if it’s not mealtime. Make every mouthful count! Eat mostly high protein, high calorie foods. To add calories an protein easily, mix powdered milk into foods and beverages or drink supplements such as Ensure or Boost.
There are many other challenges that patients deal with every day. If you have specific questions and would like to speak to a Registered Dietitian, please comment on this entry or call Maureen Mahoney, R.D. at the Bienes Cancer Center at 954-771-8000 x1528.
Celebration is a Spiritual Discipline
I’m glad to report that my friend maintains the physical energy and will to continue chemotherapy. Since I no longer fill the role of primary caregiver, my focus has once-again returned to providing spiritual support here at Holy Cross—even as it will continue long distance to a friend. Luckily the energy of spirit is infinite; my experience is that it works very well across the miles.
In June it was my pleasure to bring the invocation at the annual Cancer Survivors’ Celebration of Life. There I saw a ballroom full of cancer survivors, their caregivers, friends and family, including children and grandchildren! Recognition of their hard work and tales of the journey unfolded into the sheer physical exuberance of a crowded dance floor! Here I found a group of kindred spirits, together in the moment, welcoming the joy of being alive. I recommend this focus on celebration as one element of good self-care. Richard Foster, a wonderful writer and spiritual guide, even names “Celebration” as a spiritual discipline, an integral part of our spiritual lives. The Psalmist said, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…!” Consider it done!
Support Happenings
Our 2010 Celebration of Life Luncheon to honor our cancer survivors was on June 6th, 2010, National Cancer Survivors Day, at the Signature Grand. It was a wonderful event. Over 225 guests were in attendance and a good time was had by all. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was our guest speaker and we were blessed to have her speak to our group from two viewpoints, one as a cancer survivor (breast cancer) and two as a member of Congress, who has been instrumental in the crafting and passage of our health care legislation. Our survivors and their loved ones listened intently to her heartfelt speech, which was packed with positive and hopeful messages.
The festivities continued with the recognition of our “2010 Cancer Survivor of the Year,” Mrs. Addie Berger, who is also a volunteer in the reception area of the second floor of the cancer center. She is one of the friendly volunteers who greet the patients coming in for chemotherapy or infusion every week.
Other happenings include our third annual “Hope Relay for Life” event, which we did in partnership with the American Cancer Society, held at Christ Church in Fort Lauderdale on May 21st and 22nd. It was a success. We continue to offer support groups weekly to our survivors along with our monthly Look Good Feel Better Program, another ACS Signature Program. Our next edition of our Cancer Survivorship e-newsletter will be coming out soon so I want to encourage you to send us your email so you can be included in our mass email list. You don’t want to miss out on the happenings around here!!!
June is a month to celebrate our survivorship and our men. Happy Father’s Day!!!
“Peace, be still….and there was a great calm”
Since my last post, I spent a month away from my chaplain’s duties at Holy Cross in order to care for a dear friend diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer, and I want to share with you some of my reflections on the role of primary caregiver.
1) Every day stretches the imagination of what is possible: I learned to connect and disconnect daily TPN feedings; I learned to give abdominal injections.
2) The immediacy of physical needs fills every waking moment: I learned that a conscious effort is required to remember that there is a bigger picture, and act on it.
3) Anxiety beckons with every small change: I learned to enlist every psycho/social/spiritual resource available.
4) The primary caregiver is a liaison for the larger support group: I learned that inclusion, through information—and hope—allowed many people to do their best.
New understandings continue to slowly emerge as I ponder that time together, so I may have more to say as time goes by! Right now I remember a story in scripture that tells of a great storm at sea, in which the disciples of Jesus ask, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Jesus says to the waves, “Peace, be still….and there was a great calm.” The cost of compassion defies limits; its rewards are truly boundless. I believe that I left behind healing space—a healing place—as I returned to my role as chaplain. I shall be forever changed, and forever grateful, for the experience.
About the Center
The Michael & Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the Cancer Care Leader in Broward County. Dedicated to providing patients with precise diagnosis, the latest and most advanced treatment and aftercare options, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to care, a compassionate and spiritual healing environment, and an affiliation with the National Cancer Institute. We are also working together with Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center to provide South Florida residents with rapid access to specialized cancer care and genetics counseling.
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