Any Suggestions For Preparing For Chemo Treatments

My dad had a whipple for pancreatic cancer in June.  He will begin chemo shortly.  I was just wondering from all of you out there, is there anything you found helpful in preparing the body for the chemo.

I know weight gain for PC patients is a plus. the drs. we have talked to have just said to have him gain weight.  I was just wondering if any of you out there found certain foods or supplements to prepare the body for this upcoming battle.

Thanks so much

Sandi  

On 7/27/2007 sandra13 wrote:

My dad had a whipple for pancreatic cancer in June.  He will begin chemo shortly.  I was just wondering from all of you out there, is there anything you found helpful in preparing the body for the chemo.

I know weight gain for PC patients is a plus. the drs. we have talked to have just said to have him gain weight.  I was just wondering if any of you out there found certain foods or supplements to prepare the body for this upcoming battle.

Thanks so much

Sandi  

Dear Sandi

When I was getting chemo,I was seen by a dr of complimentary medicine at a major cancer care center in nyc.  He recommended complex carbohydrates, along with protein supplement and i think carotine to improve digestion.  I already had cravings for carbs but I had trouble eating protein for some reason.  Anyway, each person is individual so what was good for me might not be good for your dad.

  I'm not very into alternative medicine but felt that this doctor had some good ideas.  I did have acupuncture before I had cancer and wanted to know if it would be ok to start having accupuncture treatments again for my shoulder.  Turned out that acupuncture can be helpful in addressing some of the problems of chemo, such as fatigue or nausea.

If your dad could find a well trained dr of complimentary medicine, a consult might be of help.

et

There are a few things I would do to prepare for chemo treatment.  First,  get a supply of antinausea medication and take it from the very beginning.  With the chemo treatment as a followup to the Whipple Procedure, antinausea medication makes the treatment an irritation, not a crisis.

Take your enzymes faithfully, with everything and that might include iced tea.  Stay away from generic brands of the enzymes.  I had better luck with the name brand enzymes.

Try to stay warm.  Take a blanket, sweater, coat with you even if it is a 100 degrees outside.

Ask about your 19-9 markers.  Get copies of all medical records. 

Be aware that some side effects may not show up until after the treatment has ended and may also last for a month or two.

You will be tired.  Get plenty of sleep.

Use the shampoo, conditioner and scalp treatment called Nioxin.  You can purchase this product at salons.  It will remove the chemicals from the hair and it may help prevent hair loss.

Most importantly, make yourself number 1.

Emilie 

On 7/27/2007 sandra13 wrote:

My dad had a whipple for pancreatic cancer in June.  He will begin chemo shortly.  I was just wondering from all of you out there, is there anything you found helpful in preparing the body for the chemo.

I know weight gain for PC patients is a plus. the drs. we have talked to have just said to have him gain weight.  I was just wondering if any of you out there found certain foods or supplements to prepare the body for this upcoming battle.

Thanks so much

Sandi  

I had my whipple in mid-Jan and started gemsar late April. I do not have enzymes so stay on a very low fat diet, which is good as I had gained so much that past few years and am glad to be getting down to my old weight. I ate a stew made from boneless, skinless (2) chicken breasts and all the veggies I could get into the pot. Carrots, celery onion, zucchini, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower,and even frozen peas etc. I ate a lot of fat free yogurt, f. free cottage cheese, lots of fruit and I took a multiple vitamin when I remembered it, about 2 a week!  My blood tests have remained very good and I have had 10 treatments now, all they test in the normal range so I think my diet is doing a good job. I do plan to look into Dr. Weil's cancer nutrition course at the U of AZ.  He is the head of integrative medicine and I read a little of the course content, but need to investigate further. I am no dietician or doctor tho, so may not understand it all. I stay away from all the "hyped" supplements as it seems after a while many things are found to be of no value or even worse, causing other problems. I like to see the research evidence first, which is why I want to check out the U of A program. I get 2 antiemedics via IV prior to my chemo and I do not have any nausea. I get extremely hard and hurting bowel movements for  which I take the stool softeners for about 3 days after each treatment (it varies each week). I also have one really tired day about 3 days after each treatment where I feel like I sleep almost the whole 24 hours.  My worst problem has been after 8 tx I started to get swollen legs which feel like they will explode from the inside, red splotches and then swollen ankles. I take Benedry and tylenol and put my feet up for that problem. It does make it hard to work many hours on those days tho, as I can't drive to work with benedryl or lay with my feet up at work, so I have to come home when they get real bad.

  I am considering enzymes but don't have much info on them. My surgeon thought it was too early when I asked him back in March and no one has talked to me about them since.  When this chemo is all done, I know I will yearn for a beef steak instead of chicken and some real ice cream instead of my fat free sherbet. But, I do not want to get fat again so hope to have changed my life style for good.  I don't know if this helps at all and if you have enzyme information I would like to know. 

On 7/27/2007 sandra13 wrote:

My dad had a whipple for pancreatic cancer in June.  He will begin chemo shortly.  I was just wondering from all of you out there, is there anything you found helpful in preparing the body for the chemo.

I know weight gain for PC patients is a plus. the drs. we have talked to have just said to have him gain weight.  I was just wondering if any of you out there found certain foods or supplements to prepare the body for this upcoming battle.

Thanks so much

Sandi  

Sandi,

  I'd recommend finding a good naturopathic doctor for him.  They can provide supplements to strengthen his general immune system as well as supplements that will help the pancreas and liver (if it is involved).  I've just completed 5FU chemo on my liver (as the cancer metasized from the pancreas to my liver).  I took the supplements for several weeks before my initial treatment (my adominal pain went away in two weeks; before any medical treatments were performed), during, and after.  I also went off the supplements for a week to test them and the pain returned within two days.  The supplements simply give your body a better fighting chance.

 Bill

On 7/27/2007 sandra13 wrote:

My dad had a whipple for pancreatic cancer in June.  He will begin chemo shortly.  I was just wondering from all of you out there, is there anything you found helpful in preparing the body for the chemo.

I know weight gain for PC patients is a plus. the drs. we have talked to have just said to have him gain weight.  I was just wondering if any of you out there found certain foods or supplements to prepare the body for this upcoming battle.

Thanks so much

Sandi  

Hi Sandi

My husband had his whipple in April and started the end of June. His surgeon recommend pancreatic enzyme, which he had been taking until recently.  We will speak with his oncologist this week to see if should continue.

He was taking a multi-vitamin and a cholesterol pill before the surgery, so he can continue. It was suggested not to take any new supplements, (vitamin E or herbs or ?).  He had lost about 25 lbs and wants to keep it off. He has been told to have low fat (because of the 30% loss of the pancreas), high fiber  and to keep eating, so as not to lose his appetite. He will try to eat several small meals a day... and drink lots of water.

Stay away from high sodium (did have canned chili, tho). His feel / ankles swelled, due to a reaction to the Gemzar.  He takes a anti-nausea pill.

He started radiation and oral chemo last week (10 radiations).  His swelling went down, 99%, and can now where his tied shoes.  Keeping his feet elevated, alcohol rubs and low sodium, helped alot.

He sleeps ok, but has nite sweats.  At the beginning of this month, he had a high fever and was hospitalized... some "kinda infection" and was given anit-biotics.  Would feel chilled ( I think the weight-loss is part of this).

He does get tired in the morning and will try to take a nap for about 30 min -1 hr each day, before going to radiation in the afternoon.  He is not working.

I hope this helps.  But as it's been said, everyone's body reacts differently.  It will be important for your dad to start to "listen" to his body and to realize that he should call his doctor and not self-diagnose if something should happen.

Keep in touch.  We are all in this together!

Carol 

Chemo often caises deficiencies in iron and potasium, both of which can contribute to fatigue.  If you get enemic they will give you injections that can cost thousands.  Often the injections end up no longer working, if it's an iron deficiency this means a blood transfusion,  In the case of potasium, unless you have a port, the infusion itself can be painful.  I found daily supplements bought at the pharmacy stopped both of these problems, 58 mg of iron daily and 99 mg of potasium daily.  Digestion can get messed up.  I recommend taking the enzyme acidolpholus, preferably naturally in yogurt or milk.  You have to read the labels to make sure it is included.  If your dad can't do that, there are also acidolpholus supplements that can be taken (remember to refrigerate after opening).  Chemo effects digestion in many different ways.  To eliminate discomfort have Immodium, laxatives and stool softners available.

Most people avoid spicy food and prefer a bland diet.  I printed up daily menus on the computer with a wide variety of options including drinks and deserts.  I also found I had more success getting my partner to eat if I provided small portions of each item.  Usually I would get requests for seconds.  With large plates of food, they were often pushed away without a thought...too much food to imagine eating.  Also, with small portions you can offer more variety to provide a wider variety of nutrients.

 Good luck and god bless.

On 7/27/2007 sandra13 wrote:

My dad had a whipple for pancreatic cancer in June.  He will begin chemo shortly.  I was just wondering from all of you out there, is there anything you found helpful in preparing the body for the chemo.

I know weight gain for PC patients is a plus. the drs. we have talked to have just said to have him gain weight.  I was just wondering if any of you out there found certain foods or supplements to prepare the body for this upcoming battle.

Thanks so much

Sandi  

It is difficult to respond accurately to this message because much is not included....such as what chemo protocol is going to be used.  If this is the first chemo treatment protocol, it is likely to include Gemzar (gemcitabine), either by itself or in combination with another medication.   Research demonstrates that starting genistein (a soy isoflavone) approximately 4 to 7 days prior to initiation of the gemcitabine will increase gemcitabine's cancer cell growth inhibiting activity by almost 3-fold.  Research used 656mg/day dosing.  The dose I would suggest is two 125mg capsules, 3 times a day.  The product may not be easy to locate but the company, Vital Nutrients, makes a 125mg capsule.  Genistein also is synergistic or potentiates other chemotherapies as well, such as Tarceva, Erbitux and platinum-based chemos. Another product, turmeric (aka curcumin), has multiple anti-cancer effects and I would suggest taking 1500mg (3 x 500mg capsules) 3 times a day.  This is available from Vital Nutrients and other companies.  Turmeric is poorly absorbed from the digestive tract and therefore the product used should also contain an absorption enhancer known as piperine which substantially improves its bioavailablitity and effectiveness.  Another product I would consider incorporating as soon as possible is arabinoxylan compound (PeakImmune4) which is an immune system enhancer.  It enhances the activity of the natural killer cells and macrophages that are responsible for attacking and destroying abnormal cells.  It may also have some ability to increase levels of these immune system cells as well.  Sesame oil, taken internally and applied externally, has a singificant stimulatory effect on platelet production in the body and can help maintain platelet levels which often are significantly reduced by various chemo agents.  You can do online browser searches and find the the research articles/abstracts that support and explain the basis of many of these treatments.  There are many other valuable approaches worthy of consideration which I do not have time to address here.  I am in the process of developing a website/forum which will, over time, provide ready-access to various treatement approaches of this kind and will include links to supporting research.  This website is at http://www.yahoogroup.com/group/pc_care and one can subscribe by sending a blank email to pc_care-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.   Keep in mind, it is in the early stages of development and will take some time  to become a comprehensive resource of complimentary treatment information.  Personal research of each suggestion is recommended.  I would highly recommend having gene and protein microarray analysis performed on cancer biopsy tissue to identify patient-specific treatment data and patient/cancer-cell-specific sensitivities.   Best wishes, Kyle

Hi, Good luck to your father.  The most impotant thing is to keep positvie thoughs and try not to dread the treatments.  Rember what ever the side effects, it is eating the cancer cells.  However,in this day and age there are new drugs that prevent or lessen most side effects.  Honestly, I was only sick1 day in  my year of treatments.  That was because I forgot to take 1 pill. I took three pills (1 day before treatment, 1 day of treatment, and one after)  I do not know what kind of Chemo your Dad is having  and maybe these pills will not work for him.  Ask your Dr.

I don't know about gaining weight necessarily, but certaily keep a good healthy one and of course if  you have lost weight then eat the foods that are necessary for weight gain,  All the good stuff we dieters must NOT eat. 

Your Dad will find when he goes for treatment that he will be surrounded by people, all ages, who are in the same boat as he and the staff at the Cancers facilities are WONDERFUL in every way.  My very best and loving thoughts....   Carol H.

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