New to board, returning to PP

[Lauri S]

Hello, all. My name is Lauri and here’s my info. I’m 44, about 45 pounds overweight and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy on 4/7 and will be starting chemotherapy in the near future.

My main goal is to drop some weight BEFORE the chemo starts since weight gain is a common side effect of chemo.

My secondary goal is to find recipes and food ideas for those days when I’m nauseous (which I hope is not very often).

I’ve been on PP before and know it works (lost over 20 pounds) but have backslid over the years.

I’m going to be very limited in what exercises I can do. Right now I have limited use of my right arm (right breast has the cancer) and it will be several weeks before I can use it for anything resembling exercise. So Upper body stuff is out. And right now walking is also out as it tends to bounce certain things that don’t appreciate being bounced! :D I’m hoping once things settle I’ll be able to start walking. We do have a home gym so I’m going to try some leg lifts and such to see if I can handle those right now.

As for food - mornings are my worst time. I tend to sleep in as long as possible since I don’t sleep well during the night so I need fast, easy-to-make on-the-go meals for the mornings (I’m thinking shakes?). Lunches and snacks need to be portable (we have fridges at work). Dinners can be anything (my DH is the cook).

Any help I can get with morning meal ideas and food to eat when feeling nauseous would be greatly appreciated!!

Lauri S.

[Mitra]

Lauri, welcome. Shakes sound like a good idea for you for breakfast, but lots of the muffin-type recipes can be made ahead and are quick and easy. Browse through the Breakfast and Meals to Go section of the board and see what appeals to you.

[Billie]

Welcome Laurie, you might want to look in the recipe section, there are some terrific ideas, make head egg casseroles, pancakes, waffles--I think you will find a ton of ideas.

This is a great place to check in for help and suggestions, glad you are here!

[Gaelen]

Hello, all. My name is Lauri and here’s my info. I’m 44, about 45 pounds overweight and was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Had a lumpectomy on 4/7 and will be starting chemotherapy in the near future. My main goal is to drop some weight BEFORE the chemo starts since weight gain is a common side effect of chemo. My secondary goal is to find recipes and food ideas for those days when I’m nauseous (which I hope is not very often). <snip> I’m going to be very limited in what exercises I can do. As for food - mornings are my worst time. I tend to sleep in as long as possible since I don’t sleep well during the night so I need fast, easy-to-make on-the-go meals for the mornings (I’m thinking shakes?). Lunches and snacks need to be portable (we have fridges at work). Dinners can be anything (my DH is the cook). Any help I can get with morning meal ideas and food to eat when feeling nauseous would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Lauri...welcome in.
You're facing a lot in the coming weeks, so try to remember that the most important thing is to focus on getting well. Fighting cancer takes a lot of energy, emotional and physical. I know the temptation is to want to lose any excess weight; your docs probably won't support that since you're now officially in treatment. The last two years have been the first time in my life that multiple docs have all said "you look fine, I don't want you losing a thing." ;)

But not everyone gains on chemo...in fact, a LOT of people lose weight to a critical state. So pre-chemo, just concentrate on plan basics, eating as clean and as healthy as possible and making sure you get your protein in every day. As treatment goes forward, you may find yourself needing to eat at phase II or maintenance carb levels, just because that's the kind of foods you can handle. But don't let your protein consumption drop, and make sure the fats you take in are as clean and healthy as possible (no transfats!) If weight loss comes with that approach, fine. If not, at least you are preparing your body as intensely as possible with the best pre-chemo diet possible. Eating as little sugar and as few processed foods as you can, getting a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for trace nutrients and making sure you get your protein requirement in every day can help tremendously to keep your body system strong, no matter what treatment regimen you're getting. Water intake is also VERY important; start getting at least 64 oz. daily and don't slack off on that if you can at all help it!

Shakes, if you can tolerate them, are a great idea. I have a homemade breakfast shake every day anyway, but I also keep pre-made shakes on hand, in different flavors. Try to use kefir or yogurt or something with natural, organic probiotics in it as part of your homemade shakes; they'll help with intestinal issues. There will be days you won't want to eat anything, and other days you won't want to have to prepare anything, but you can always sip a shake to get your protein in. As for foods to eat when nausea hits, I make sure to always have these things in the house:

peppermint tea
ginger tea
ginger lozenges (look for Gin-Gins from "the Ginger People in your health food store; like ginger life savers individually wrapped)
Dr. Krackers organic crackers (there a several varieties; each cracker is only around 1g ECC)
Cherrios (plain, no sugar)
melba toast rounds
Pacific organics low sodium vegetable or chicken broth in single serve aseptic 'box' packaging


These things work for me, but they may not work for you...tastes get altered on chemo and you may need to experiment a little. In the beginning, all I wanted on treatment days was garlic chicken wings...now, I can't even stand the smell of them. ;) Don't be afraid to have stuff like the melba toast rounds or Cheerios in your arsenal...on the nausea days, you probably won't be overeating anything, so it probably won't be an issue, and the important thing is to keep ahead of the nausea by keeping your stomach settled.

As for exercise--even on the days when you can't walk (I can relate to those days...), simple stretching exercises can help your body stay in tune with itself, and keep you feeling stable. I do pilates exercises from the leg and arm series nearly every day. Even when I'm too dizzy or weak to walk, I can manage exercises that just require me to lay on my back or side. And I can't fall--I'm already on the floor or in bed. ;)

You can do this Lauri...!

[Lauri S]

Hi, Lauri...welcome in.

Thanks for posting, Gaelen! I did a search and found some of your cancer posts so I really appreciate any first-hand advice you can give me!

You're facing a lot in the coming weeks, so try to remember that the most important thing is to focus on getting well.

Yep! Part of the process is eating better - 'cause right now I eat like crap! For example, todays current intake consists of 2 donuts and a Diet Coke for breakfast and a bag of pop corn and a Diet Coke for lunch.

And that's typical for me! I'd say my water intake per WEEK is about what it should be per day! :eek:

I know the temptation is to want to lose any excess weight

That's some of the driving force but there's also my rising blood pressure and the fact that I KNOW I eat bad and it will make getting through this even harder.

I guess I really just want to get started eating better. If I lose some weight before (or during) the treatments - fine. But I want to help my body as much as possible while bombarding it with caustic (but necessary) chemicals. :(

So pre-chemo, just concentrate on plan basics, eating as clean and as healthy as possible and making sure you get your protein in every day.

Sounds like a good plan! If I limit my carbs at the same time - great. But the main focus is going to be eating healthier.

A question on shakes - can you make them from scratch the night before and store them in the fridge for the next day? Or is it best to just buy the pre-mades?

Thanks for all the other tips. I'm sure I'll be back with questions as I go through all this!

[Gaelen]

A question on shakes - can you make them from scratch the night before and store them in the fridge for the next day? Or is it best to just buy the pre-mades?

I do this all the time. I have to be at the docs tomorrow at O-dark-thirty, some ungodly hour like 7 am, so I will make two shakes tonight before I go to bed...one to take with me, one to have handy in the fridge when I get home. My homemade shakes last about 36-48 hours if refrigerated. I just keep the pre-made ones around for the days I really don't feel up to making one from scratch.

[Lauri S]

I do this all the time. ... My homemade shakes last about 36-48 hours if refrigerated.

Thanks, that helps! I'm too tired in the AM to do much other than get ready for work. Having stuff already made will make cheating less of an issue!

[Shadow]

Welcome, Lauri! I am sorry for the battle your facing but know that you're doing the best thing you can for you and your health by getting on the wagon before your chemo begins. Even if it does mean giving up donuts and popcorn ;). You've received great advice from Pat on the chemo part and from Mitra and Billie on the recipes. But I did want to pop in to welcome you to the board. Please keep us posted on how things are going!

[Nean]

Welcome. This way of life is great for keeping blood sugar under control which is supposed to slow the growth of female cancers. Good luck with treatment.

[hawk]

Lauri S. My best friend had breast cancer last year. I went with her to chemo sessions and we spent alot of time just shopping and talking. She decided to keep a posative outlook to help herself and asked me to help her with her diet. She cut out sugar and changed alot in her diet. She is doing very well. I am amazed at her. I will be praying for you and I hope I can encourage you. Gaelen is a fantastic person and has been incredible help to alot of people on this board. She is very inspiring to me. I'm glad you hooked up with us. Good luck to you.

[je danse]

Please remember to send yourself love. All things can be healed with love and light.