My mother diagnosed with breast cancer

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leaf999
leaf999 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2015 in Just Diagnosed

My mother is recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is 70+. It is in stage III. She recently went through first chemo. After which she had fever and admitted to hospital. Her white blood cell count were low. Now she is back home and waiting for next chemo session. I am looking for information that can help her on food and diet and will help her in coping with this disease.


Sid

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    Sid, I am 65, Stage 2b and just finished my second round of chemo. A trip to the hospital for low WBC count is not unusual, but is worrisome. It may be a one time only event; let's hope so. I receive a Neulasta shot the day after each infusion to help build back WBC. It causes bone pain and I take Claritin for that side effect. Mostly, I have slept through Days 3 to 6 and have avoided taking any pain meds. I am sure your Mom is on something similar or the same.

    As far as food, keep Mom well stocked with cold, small snacks...pudding, mandarin oranges, frozen grapes, and Jello. She can eat whatever she wants. (The nausea meds are great as long as she takes them on a timely basis; ahead of any queasiness.) Just make sure if it is fresh fruit - peel it! Wash any vegetables.

    My personal opinion is that during Chemo is not the time for lifestyle changes. I will diet and get back to a more rigorous exercise program when I feel like it. Right now, I am listening to my body and pampering it with my favorite foods. I take walks to clear my thoughts when I have the energy.

    Please have her read the different forums here at BCO. "Chemotherapy, Before, During, and After". "Starting Chemo January 2015". "Older People with BC". She will soon be making friends with people from all over the world that are experiencing the same challenges that she is. You will also learn a lot about what she is going through but may not openly express.

    Stay supportive but remember these are her decisions about her body.

    FYI, my mother was in her late 80's when she had a "radical" mastectomy. She did great with no complications.

    Keep us posted.

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited February 2015

    One more thing. Constipation (here is is referred to as the Big C) is a horrible side effect from nausea and some pain meds. Keep Mom supplied with stool softeners, senna tea, Sennokot S, prune juice, etc.

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  • leaf999
    leaf999 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2015

    Finally after 6 months, my mother's Chemo sessions are over. Worst part was the first week after each chemo session. She has just completed the last Chemo on July 16th 2015. Now the next challenge is the surgery on July 25th. Now she dont feel like eating any more. She says that she don't feel like eating and nothing she eats feels like having any taste. Thanks for your help....

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  • SweetHope
    SweetHope Member Posts: 439
    edited June 2015

    Try a cold fruit smoothie. Also protein is so important for her right now.

    Congratulations on finishing Chemo! That is quite an accomplishment.

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