Chemotherapy can be described as a “severe war between the body and the cancer cells”. Besides the usual nausea and tiredness, the problems caused by low white blood cells are also very alarming—— It is possible for you to get colds over and over again after a small cold wind has just blown to you, your whole body will be sore if you are a bit tired, and even your gums will bleed if you touch them slightly. Many patients surely want to restore their bodies, but they also suffer from lack of appetite and taste after chemotherapy, and feel bloated after eating a few mouthfuls. Their families are also worried, as they fear that they will bring bacteria home from the market and even have to concern themselves about ventilation. “Do you get cold”. Actually, if you know the details and make scientific changes, you can support your body to slowly become stable and build a strong base for the following treatments.
To begin with, the diet must not be “blind supplementation” but “precise nourishment”. Quality protein is the core of the synthesis of white blood cells “raw material”. Besides steamed fish, soft tofu, and egg custard, you can also have soup made with skinless chicken breast and low-fat yogurt (the yogurt contains probiotics that are good for the weakened gastrointestinal digestion after chemotherapy). In case you do not like meat, make soy milk with soybeans and red beans and sweeten it with a little rock sugar. This will also provide vegetable protein. Dark vegetables like spinach and purple cabbage, can help supply vitamin C and folic acid when they are softened, chopped and mixed in rice. These will not be hard on the digestive system. You could eat bananas and apples (steamed is gentler) and keep away from strong sour and cold foods that could cause an irritation in the mouth.
Secondly, rest and protection should be associated with particular scenarios. The body’s immunity becomes “thin ice” when white blood cells are low, and you should avoid crowded places as much as possible—— For instance, a supermarket may be most crowded at a certain time, and if you absolutely have to be there, do not forget to wear your mask, rubbing a little disinfectant on your hands, and touch the rails as well as door handles. Clean them immediately. Moreover, keep the house clean, wash hands and change clothes often to decrease the likelihood of catching an infection. At the same time, do not push yourself to do hard work, keeping up with the hours of sleep you need and letting your body collect the energy it needs for rejuvenation.
Your nutritional needs will still be hard to satisfy if you decide to change your diet. So, you can think about the use of a nutritional supplement that is specially made for patients undergoing chemotherapy, tachymex. It intelligently mixes protein, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. It is bland when mixed with warm water. Additionally, it is easy to take even if swallowing is slightly difficult or if nausea occurs after chemotherapy; and it does not require extra gastrointestinal “disassembly”, nutrients can be absorbed faster, helping the body to save enough energy during the recovery period “slowly raising the level of white blood cells”. Yet, the best way would be to inform your doctor or nutritionist before taking it, and set the amount of your supplement based on your condition.
As a matter of fact, the process of chemotherapy is like “slowly boiling a pot of soup”, you don’t get what you want right away. Perhaps, today, a little appetite may be a bit better and no energy tomorrow, these are quite normal. The body will respond slowly but positively very often, for example, the number of colds decreases, and you find it hard to wake yourself up, but you still get some sun from the window and breathe the fresh air. Rest, good diet, and scientific nutritional supplements are the subtle shifts that become steps toward recovery.
“Dr. Rana Patir is an eminent Neurosurgeon of India with more than 30 years of experience in the field of advanced neurosurgery. Besides being a teaching faculty at AIIMS and at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and professor of Neurosurgery at Guwahati Assam. He has also been the head of the department of Neurosurgery at Max hospitals, and Sir Ganga Ram hospital New Delhi. He is known as one of the best Neurosurgeons and spinal surgeons in India, having more than 10,000 neurosurgical procedures to his credit. He specializes in Minimal Invasive Brain and Spine Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Neurovascular Surgery, Extra Cranial-Intracranial Bypass Surgery,”
