CHEMO-A-PATIENT'S GUIDE
Dietary Suggestions …for eating well on the day of treatment and the day after.
Before treatment
We suggest that you eat before receiving chemotherapy. No fried or greasy foods. If you have a late morning or afternoon appointment, eat a snack before your appointment. Otherwise, eat a regular breakfast or lunch.
Prevention of nausea
After receiving treatment we have found our patients have less nausea if they are not hungry. You may need a mid morning and mid afternoon snack to prevent nausea. You should eat a bedtime snack for 2-3 days after chemotherapy. Suggested snacks are starchy/bland: pretzels, crackers, toast, English muffins, bagels, vanilla wafers, animal crackers or popcorn that is not greasy.
Morning after
For 2-3 days after the chemotherapy you should take your medications with food unless specifically told to take on an empty stomach. Drink fluids with your breakfast, not before.
Eating if you are nauseated
The above starchy, bland foods would also be good choice if you are nauseated.
Eat small amounts with sips of clear liquids and increase amounts slowly.
Foods to avoid the day of treatment and the day after
Fatty, greasy or fried food • Red meats – tend to have a bitter taste
Spicy foods – hard to digest • Foods with strong odors especially if you are cooking.
Foods & clear fluids that are generally easy to digest
(but are only a short list of possibilities)
Toast or crackers
Pretzels
Animal crackers
Cereal
Oatmeal
Pancakes
Waffles
Macaroni and cheese
Baked fish
Skinned chicken (baked or broiled)
Chicken soup
Fruits and vegetables that are soft or bland,
such as canned peaches, pears
Beverages sipped slowly between meals
Angel food cake
English muffins
Pound cake
Sherbet
Yogurt
Water
Clear broth
Jell-O
White grape juice
Soft drinks
Crushed ice
Chicken soup
Clear broth
Kool-Aid
Gatorade
Apple juice
Tea
Ice Pops
Cranberry juice (or combinations)
Nutrition
You should consult with the dietitian at any hospital if you are using alternative therapies including high doses of vitamins or minerals, herbal preparations or changing your diet. They will evaluate the safety of these therapies with your chemotherapy.
Diarrhea (longer than 12 hours)
Try Kaopectate or Imodium A-D (lopermide) tablets. Please call if the diarrhea continues after another 24 hours, especially if associated with abdominal pain or cramps.
Medications to avoid
Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen (such as Motrin, Advil) because the medications affect your platelets as does chemotherapy. Platelets are cells in your blood involved in your blood clotting.
Mouth care guidelines
Mouth care is very important while you are getting treatment. Sensitive tissues in you mouth may become irritated during treatment. Keep your lips moist with something like lipstick, Chapstick, Vaseline, or Blistex. Use a soft toothbrush only, and any commercial toothpaste or denture cleanser is fine. Do Not use commercial mouthwash.
If you develop mouth soreness
For mouth soreness swish and gargle with baking soda mouthwash (mis 1/2 cup warm water with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda) after meals and at bedtime. If your mouth soreness increases, call your physician for additional instructions, especially if the soreness interferes with your eating or drinking.
Call the office within 24 hours
if you experience any of the following problems
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Signs and symptoms of infection including fever greater than 100.5 F,
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shaking chills, burning on urination or cough productive of dark mucus.
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Please have a thermometer available that you can read.
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Vomiting that doesn’t stop with the medicine we have ordered for nausea.
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Your platelets may be low if you notice any unexplained bruising or bleeding
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Severe sudden headache, change in balance, or sudden change in vision
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Any unusual physical symptoms that begin after chemotherapy
To refill your prescription of a medicine ordered by our office
Check on the medications you need and ask for refills during your visit with the doctor
If refills are needed between visits, please call 24 hours in advance. You can pick up written prescriptions the next day or they can be mailed to you.
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