Chemotherapy and your Immune System

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can weaken immunity by reducing the number of white blood cells in your system, lowering of your "neutrophil count." So after chemotherapy or radiotherapy you may be more prone to bacterial or fungal infections.

While it is a good idea for everyone to take care to wash hands more regularly and to avoid exposing you if they are feeling unwell, experts note: "You are most likely to become unwell from bugs you carry around with you normally, not from catching someone else's. This means that you don't have to avoid your family, friends or children when you are sent home after chemotherapy."

In addition to taking good precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure to germs, resting may also help keep you well. Many people can anecdotally recall that they get sick more often when they are very stressed. Medical studies on the effects of stress on the immune system are inconclusive, "There is some scientific evidence that stress does weaken our immunity...While no one knows whether strengthening immunity can help to cure cancer, most doctors and nurses agree that reducing stress is a good thing to do."

So what to the experts at Cancer Help suggest to help your immune system? In addition to rest, they recommend eating a balanced diet including fresh foods.

So when you're in the kitchen...

• Try to cook with fresh vegetables, organic if possible


• Try to use a combination of fresh vegetables to maximize nutrients, for example, blend several vegetables together in a soup


• Wash your hands regularly and well


• It is probably a good idea to avoid unpasturized foods

Want to know more? See Cancer Help.

Some Common Physical Responses to Chemotherapy...

Bodily responses to chemotherapy are as varied as the incredible men, women and children undergoing the therapy. My mother had strong responses to her treatment, including a powerful taste aversion to chemicals. A coworker of hers rarely felt nauseated. The National Cancer Institute lists some of the more common physical responses to chemotherapy.

• loss of appetite


• changes in weight (either losing or gaining weight)


• sore mouth or throat


• dry mouth


• dental and gum problems


• changes in sense of taste or smell


• nausea/vomiting


• diarrhea


• lactose intolerance


• constipation


• fatigue and/or depression

Cooking in your kitchen will vary depending on an individual's response to his or her treatment. Because cooking for someone who is experiencing diarrhea will be different from cooking for someone who is experiencing constipation, the National Cancer Institute also offers some advice for addressing each of the specific responses to treatment. Have patience with yourself and those around you as you try to navigate your way through this unfamiliar territory.

Vegetables for Weight Gain

Coping with cancer treatment often inverts the logic we are so accustomed to: suddenly we need to create dishes that are higher in healthy fats and calories to help a loved one gain the weight and strength to go through treatment. Meats and dairy are two sources people often think of when they want to increase their nutritional intake. This post makes some suggestions for high-nutrient vegetables that are best for weight gain, according to Nutrition Data. Consider adding some of these into your cooking:

Peas
Hubbard Squash
Butternut Squash
Carrot Juice
Soy Milk
Kidney Beans
Great Northern Beans
Pinto Beans
Navy Beans
Potatoes
Taro
Fava Beans

Macrobiotics Made Simple

This post simplifies macrobiotic principles into a few easy suggestions that you can adapt to your lifestyle. When some people are diagnosed with cancer, there is often a curiosity about different natural eating and cooking diets. One very popular alternative is macrobiotic eating. Often incorrectly stereotyped as a diet of brown rice and kelp, this diet is about eating whole, natural foods that are local to your area. Some people taking chemotherapy find they have an intensely increased sensitivity to chemical tastes. Some may find artificial sweeteners or preservatives almost unbearable. If you or someone you love is experiencing an increased sensitivity to chemical tastes, you may find that cooking according to some simple macrobiotic principles will make food more palatable. One great benefit to eating according to macrobiotic principles while on chemotherapy is the emphasis on simple natural foods without chemical modifications.

These suggestions are presented roughly in hierarchical order. The key with getting through chemotherapy treatment sanely, however, is to always remember that you should only do what you can. Don't make yourself crazy trying to perfectly follow any set of suggestions. For this reason, I have phrased the ideas below as "if possible..."

When in doubt, eat like someone would have in your area in the 19th Century.

Eat nothing you can't pronounce. Whenever possible, avoid preservatives.

If possible, use only all natural cooking surfaces, such as cast iron, stone, and glass. Avoid nonstick and aluminum. This is also true for food storage containers (pyrex makes very nice glass food storage containers).

If possible, avoid the microwave. Better to reheat on the stove or in the oven.

Whenever possible, buy and use minimally processed foods.

If possible, buy locally farm grown products. Macrobiotic principles emphasize eating in harmony with the natural cycles of your environment. Local, farm grown produce may also have better nutrients if allowed to ripen on the vine.

Instead of...	Try...
All-purpose white flour	Unbleached flour, unbleached whole wheat flour
White sugar, processed brown sugar, artificial sweetners	Turbinado sugar, cane sugar, honey
Margarine or fake butter spreads	Real butter
Processed meats or sausage	Organic or other minimally processed meats
Processed lunch meats	Make a roast at home and slice for sandwiches
Plastic food storage containers	Glass food storage containers
Tefflon(R) and other artificial non-stick surfaces	Seasoned cast iron or stoneware as natural nonstick surfaces