Did you work through chemo?

sweetp6217

Treestarrock:

Sorry to hear that you're having all of those side effects. My goodness. I had those too this time. I'm curious though, is insurance wanting you to stay home?

sweetp6217

susie 2017 (aka: Wonder Woman): So glad you can see the finish line

Hope you're doing well.

Lisv1010

I was worried about that too, I’m on 7 of 16 treatment , I’ve worked through it, I have my chemo on fridays and off on weekends, I m tolerating it ok so I decided to start working on weekend to make up hours, since my pto bank is very low from being off 8 weeks from surgery. The A/C was rough cause I’m on my feet all day and but it helped doing that one every 2 weeks, now the taxol, it’s going ok but now I’m having back and leg pain, I’m hoping its from the chemo and not a new problem, my job is understanding and caring and flexible so I’m blessed. I was a nervous wreck before I went back to work, not knowing how this wasn’t gonna effect me, but I’m doing ok, I thank god for getting me through work day as I pull in my driveway. When I get home nome I rest, 7 more to go

Leatherette

Sweetp, adding Nuun electrolyte tablets to water makes it a lot easier to drink. I use lemon-lime. Maybe if you stick with plainer foods, even when you feel like you can handle more, it won't come back to bite you later. I've read about many people having trouble with red meat, even though they need the iron and protein. On my wierd days, oatmeal, split pea soup (just peas, onion and garlic, no ham) and Ensure keep me alive and don't cause GI problems. I had yogurt at work yesterday, and that was better than I expected. I was losing weight pretty quickly, too, but I think that's tapering off some because now I'm more fatigued and moving less.

Working is hard with chemo-I am amazed that many people seem to work full time or close to it. Two days a week, some of that from home, is all I can do right now, and some days I feel like I'm going in when I shouldn't.

HersheyKiss

sweetp, I've found that acidic foods cut right through the metallic taste in my mouth. I add/eat lots of tomatoes and peppers: spaghetti with red sauce, grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, scrambled eggs with tomatoes and peppers, tomato soup, red pepper soup, cottage cheese and cherry tomatoes. I've just started to add oranges and orange juice back to my diet. They taste divine!

ruthbru

Cinnamon drops helped me a little. Would dumping in some crystal lite or drinking seltzer water or water flavored with lemon help? If think you just have to experiment & see what you can stand. One thing that helped me (but isn't food) was using Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. Those might help with the metallic taste too. I ate lots and lots of mashed potatoes with butter & cheese, and strangely enough I craved Mexican food, the hotter the better.

octogirl

I had difficult taste issues also...but mashed potatoes and gravy tasted good even when nothing else did. as did ice cream, and chicken, but other types of protein, I didn't want to eat. I didn't worry about good nutrition, just about getting calories.

Spicy foods tasted good but I did find they upset my digestive track more than usual.

susie_2017

sweetp.....only 8 more for me to go! Finish line getting closer! Far from being wonder woman, I have my days but I get through them. Taxol is much easier than AC was. I had a hard time drinking water too. They said anything with caffeine didn't count but I disagree. Coke always seemed to settle my stomach so I drank it. When I did water I had to use Crystal Lite. I know what you mean about the metallic taste and I found nothing to get rid of it except brushing my teeth before and after I ate. Chew lots of gum! By the time u have it all figured out it will be over! Hang in there. It does get easier! Hugs!!

sweetp6217

LisV1010: Sorry that you're having back and leg pain. Have you mentioned it yet to your team?

Leatherette: Thank you. I'm going to get some of those Nunn tabs and maybe some ensure. I heard that the latter doesn't taste so good. Which flavor do you like?

Hersheykiss: Thanks. I'm thinking of slowly adding acid foods. Early on though, it made me pop the pepcid or take some before eating.

ruthbru: I'll give crystal lite a chance. I already have biotene mouth rinse but haven't been good about using it. Thanks for reminding me!

octogirl: ooooo, mashed are one of my faves too. That reminds me of something. I haven't made the Pioneer Woman's garlic mashed potatoes in a while.

Susie 2017: brushing... gotta do that more. I kicked the gum habit, but I may have to make an exception.

Group hugs!! Thank you all for sharing your experiences.