Question

[Sonja]

I am so glad I found you! I am a newcomer and have been surfing the net since April 12th, 2006 (the day I came home from my operation) trying to find info on the type of breast cancer I have etc.

I do have one question for now, will be starting chemo treatment on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 and would like to know if there is any diet to follow to make sure that my blood count is up there so I won't miss any treatments?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[DeborahNC]

Welcome Sonja although I'm sorry you must join us.

You may find much diet info through the search function. I don't think there is a pull-out-all-the-stops diet to prevent blood count fluctuations, but many here are following particular diets, using supplements, etc. that assist with coping with chemo.

The buildup for that first chemo can be anxiety ridden! My own experience was that the buildup was far worse than the reality; no picnic, but not as bad as I feared.

All the best to you and please post how it went when you feel up to it.

[newgg]

As stated before.....sorry you must join us but you will find this board a wonderful support and full of information and very strong warriors. Yes, the anxiety getting to that first infusion of meds is high and do not think it will be as bad as you imagine right now. Take the premeds as prescribed, talk to the oncology nurses and your doc about any thing...the only stupid question is one that you do not ask. Your blood work will be watched and if low you will receive additional meds. Drink a ton of water...especially on chemo days....eat meals as balanced as you can and read the many suggestions here about what supplements that you and your doc think will help you.
Take care of you !! And do not forget to listen to your body and rest when you need to....your body is fighting hard and must rest !

[CPA]

My wife just finished 6 - 3 weekly cycles of carboplatin/taxotere & weekly herceptin in April.

I have to agree that the best diet is a balanced diet - especially one you can tolerate a few days after chemo when you may experience some nausea (even with zofran or compazine) and constipation.

Drink fluids and try to get fiber to stay as regular as possible.

Good Luck!

[al from Canada]

Sonja,

What is your chemo tx?
Al

[Sonja]

Al,

My chemo tx (I'm assuming tx is treatment? have to get used to abbreviations - my doctors are french so I am constantly referring to the bilingual medical dictionnary!).
I will be starting tomorrow with the FEC cocktail (5 fluorouracil (also known as 5FU), epirubicin and cyclophosphamide). 6 sessions once every three weeks followed by a 5 week vacation and then on to radiation, 5 days/week for 5 weeks. I'm not sure if I will be taking Herceptin right after chemo, during radiation or after radiation. Tomorrow I will be receiving my first treatment and have been on this site most of the weekend I now have many, many more questions for my onc.
I asked her if there was a specific diet and she said no. Not to deprieve myself to eat what I feel like and if out with friends that a glass a wine would be okay?
I just wanted to know from her if there are any foods I should steer clear of?

Sonja

[al from Canada]

Can I ask why they chose that cocktail?

Al

[Sonja]

They advised that it was the best treatment for me? Are there better treatments out there that I should ask them about tomorrow?

[al from Canada]

Up untill now, and still is I think, the gold standard has been 4 rounds AC followed by 4 rounds taxol. This is called dose-dense therapy. The toronto study didn't compare FEC to AC&T. I also wounder why they are using 5FU when Xeloda is a smarter drug.

Just some questions for your onc.
Al

[Sonja]

Thanks for the info Al, I will be seeing my onc in the next couple of weeks so I will be sure to ask her! Thanks again for your help.http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon7.gif

[MJo]

When I took adriamycin and cytoxan (A/C) and several nurses told me there was not much I could do to get my white blood count up, although another BC survivor told me to eat a lot of protein. The A/C also lowered my red blood cell count. For that I ate iron-rich food like spinach and took Centrum with iron. I went to the health food store and bought liver from organically raised cows. Fortunately I like liver.

[Sonja]

MJo,
I too enjoy liver and spinach so that will be added to the menu!
Thanks for the tip!http://her2support.org/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif