I think I’ve settled into a routine here. I’m all cyborged up for the next 46 hours, have work to do at home, naps to take, tasty things to eat. The cold sensitivity is getting progressively worse, as expected, but otherwise I feel not-so-bad.
I even got a photo of the brown sludge (IV iron, called Venofer). Isn’t it lovely? Better yet, I can taste it while it’s being infused, like a mouthful of nails.
Just because I’m bored with chemo already doesn’t mean I need to bore you (unduly), so instead I’m going to offer up a public service announcement. Sometimes the very best thing you can do is STOP TALKING. Here’s one of those times. (Weight issues, in case you want to stop reading now.)
So then, a true story with a definite moral…
Setting: Office breakroom. I’m heating my 48th snack of the day, even though everything tastes like poison.
Enter female coworker.
C: You’ve lost weight, you look great.
Me: Thank you. (continuing to focus on what I’m doing)
C: Have you been working hard at it? I have a friend who started running, and that’s really worked for her, but it’s so hard to find something that you like and can stick with. But whatever you’ve been doing yammer yammer yammer.
Me: (sighs) Before you end up terribly embarrassed, it’s the chemotherapy.
C: But you look so healthy! You really look good yammer yammer.
Me: (walks out)
Coworker, that’s the point where you STOP TALKING.
I mused snarkily later as to whether I should shave my head so I looked like a proper cancer patient. (My hair is thinning a bit, and I may cut it short, but I don’t expect to lose it all.)
A friend sent me a relevant cartoon.
I actually managed to gain a little bit of weight since last infusion, by trying really hard to eat the energy-densest things in sight. And donuts too, but hey. These things happen. It’s utterly foreign to me, this approach to food. I think it must be like what a serious athlete does, trying to balance energy and nutrients and protein to fuel intense workouts. I’ve always been too lazy for that kind of athleticism, preferring yoga and lots of walking. And even though I can’t do much of the latter (or always much of the former), I’m fueling the chemo and related metabolic processes.
During chemo I’ve been tired and not that interested in food, and for a day or so after I’m off the pump everything tastes of poison. Not so much while I’m on it, so I’m guessing it’s chemo breakdown products. A bit of lemon juice in my water glass helps, as do citrus candies; thank you to those who suggested that. (It’s much worse than the nail flavor from the iron, and that’s pretty much gone already anyway.)
Left entirely to my own devices, I’d be eating a lot of toast. Even buttered that’s not calorie-dense, and rather lacking in vitamins and protein. So I’ve been trying harder, and eating things like full-fat yogurt, oatmeal with dried fruit and protein powder, vegetable soup, pudding. And because of the cold sensitivity, everything has to be warm, even the yogurt. Almond butter, nuts, avocados, stuff like that. Fruit and veggies too. I wish I could make smoothies, but they’re too cold. (Tap water is too cold.) Anyone have a warm substitute for smoothies?
I’m trying to focus on protein and unsaturated fat, but not fussing at all about saturated fat or anything like that. Successful cancer treatment is an enormously higher priority right now than cholesterol levels. We made bread pudding with dried fruit, and that was awesome: starchy comfort food with protein (eggs) and fruit. Ditto sugar, though I’m trying to keep that to reasonable levels despite the donuts. (Before anyone comments, read this. I have no patience for cancer-related nonscience.)
After losing a pound or so a week for the first few weeks on chemo, I’m pleased to have reversed that trend, even though I feel like I’m eating ALL THE TIME. My digestive system is happier with frequent smaller meals, compounding the feeling that I’m always eating. The anti-nausea drugs continue to do their thing. As long as I pay attention, I should be able to keep my weight and nutrition in line.
Please give me the name of your coworker. I will then accidentally ~TONG~ her with Janiece’s Shovel of Doom. Because I’m just feeling bitchy and want to take my mood out on someone.
The Shovel of Doom is totally appropriate here, but I’m still not telling you. Are you buried in snow? Again? Here it’s sunny and flake-free, despite the earlier predictions of doom. Cold, though, very cold.
Hey, now, I get first priority withe Shovel. Since it’s mine, and all.
How about sweet breads or muffins warmed up a bit in the microwave, with plenty of butter, such as banana nut or pumpkin raisin? I have two fabulous recipes I can send to Nick if that sounds good.
I’d make and ship them myself, but I’m wary of how fresh they’d be upon arrival.
Stewed fruit or warm fruit soups, as a smoothie substitute? Or even warm fruit puree.
You could puree the stewed fruit if you want a smoothie-like texture. I’m not a huge soup fan but there seem to be lots of scandinavian fruit soup recipies ( http://scandinavianfood.about.com/od/fruitdishespreserves/r/sweetsoup.htm )
Do you like custard? It might be a alternative to yogurt, and (if you can get custard powder) is dead easy to make, and you can make it with full fat milk or a mix of milk and cream.
The traditional made-from-scratch kind has eggs and cream so gives you fat and protein if you want.
Rice Pudding might be another option.
I think either (thick) custard or rice pudding + fruit might give you a warm, smoothie-substitute.
Hugs xxxx
Warm smoothie suggestion….I recommend using fruit and veggies at room temp and yogurt- also at room temp, honey, cinnamon, flax seed. Use juice instead of ice to help liquify. I do this because of cold sensitivity with just my teeth. If you make a big batch, it can be refridgerated up to 3 days so you can poor a glass in morning and let it sit until tolerable. Hope this helps a bit. You are In my thoughts!
Ain’t it a total bitch when you suddenly have to pay attention to what you eat? Good for you for finding a path that is working. Would little Monte Christo sammiches, or au gratin potatoes with guyere cheese and ham work?
Love ya.
Mari, I’ve always paid attention, this is just a totally different kind of attention.
You all have wonderful food ideas, thank you! I expect to be trying many of them, next time food sounds appealing.
I second custards – boiled and baked – and puddings.
Before antibiotics, when people were frequently nursed at home after pneumonia and such, it used to be standard to have recipes for “convalescent cooking” – foods that you could give someone who’d been ill a long time and needed to have their strength built up, but might not have an appetite. They leaned hard on custards and puddings, cream soups, cocoa, beef tea (which is this intense broth… essence of beef, really.) And, of course, chicken soup…
The Medieval Blaumanger – chicken, almond milk, and rice – is described in some sources as this (don’t remember where, I’d have to find it) and the moden blancmange – a milk pudding – are in the category, too.
Since the citrus flavor helps – I’d try adding a dollop of lemon curd to the pudding. Or try lemon custard itself. This might be something a friend who cooks can help with… make it easier for you this week.
Even before I read the comments I was thinking of Jello Pudding, the kind you heat and mix on the stove — and not chilling it. Also, I remember being sick with something and drinking hot Hello, again mixed up but not chilled, but that can be cloyingly sweet. But it’s thick and filling. And you can add fruit to it. Hot smoothies — just the thing for Vortex days…
Dr. Phil
Hmmmm. Thinking about calorie-dense foods. You could make your own granola. Then it’s a cold or hot dish, if you nuke it with whole milk. I just made a batch. It’s very simple. Get a cookie sheet with sides, and line it with foil. Dump on a 18 oz tub of rolled (or old fashioned) oats (not Quick/instant Oats). Add a cup of coconut if you like it. Add nuts and seeds like sesame if you like them. Add a cup of dried fruit of your choice, or three.
In a coffee mug, add about 3 tbsp of coconut oil (virgin) or margarine (not butter—goes rancid). Add 1 tsp of apple pie spice (cinnamon, ginger, mace and cloves). Add 2 tbsp of honey, and 1 tsp vanilla. Microwave about 40 seconds. Stir awhile if not all melted.
Pour over the oats and fruit. Mix with a spoon, and re- spread the mixture. Not every single oat will get coated. That’s okay.
Toast about 30 minutes at 300 degrees in the oven. Check every 10 minutes, so it doesn’t brown too much. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container. You can add chocolate chips, more fruit, etc at this point. Store at room temp. Eat cold with milk, or microwave with milk for a hot cereal.
The other thing for calorie dense food is pasta. Think Lasagne. Stuffed shells. Manicotti.
Also, think breakfast for any meal. Baked French Toast. Pancakes. Sticky buns.Hash Browns. Bacon. Sausage.
There are hot fruit soups, BTW. You could also think of cobblers, “Pan Dowdies” and Apple Crisp (vanilla icecream with that). Or, fruit muffins. If they are cold, you can griddle-grill them, split, with butter, for a yummy crust.
Just some ideas. Because I’m a fat girl, and fat girls know food!
Cheers
Aoife
My favourite snack is a microwave “pudding”. I do it without sugar, because I think it tastes better that way:
1 T corn starch*
1-3 T almond meal
1 C milk
Stir a tiny bit of milk into the starch+almonds in a bowl that holds at least 2 cups, then slowly add rest of the milk. Microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds, stir, and repeat the heat and stir process till the mixture is thick. Add a dollop of butter and stir again. Note: Take care to watch it after it gets hot–even though the bowl is twice as big as the liquid therein it can, and will, boil over if left heating too long in a single stretch without stiring it down again.
I like it as is, but if you want something that fills the smoothie niche bend fruit while this is cooking, and then stir them together when everything is done. Without the fruit it takes less than five minutes from walking into the kitchen to sitting down to eat it.
*It is also good with other thickening agents instead of corn starch. I particularly like rice flour and oat flour. Use toasted oat flour and it will smell just like Cheerios, but taste much better.
>>>>or au gratin potatoes with guyere cheese and ham
Sarah was pretty happy with the four cheese, broccoli and bacon baked potato casserole last week, so I’m guessing this would go down quite well.
Folks, lots and LOTS of helpful suggestions – I’ll make a list! Thanks!
And, you know, I love y’all, but if anyone is going to get hit someone with a blunt instrument, while yelling “For Sarah!” –
A] The list starts with me. 🙂
B] There IS already a list. :p
C] The current list really starts with Valerio, because he called it YEARS ago.
D] Positions on the list ARE available.
But it is very, very good to have friends who love us.
Molten lava cake comes in lemon flavor. You can make them small, with custard dishes or silicone cupcake pans. One or two of these wrapped for work in a freezer Baggie might be a decent snack. Recipe: http://www.iwashyoudry.com/2010/09/19/white-chocolate-lemon-lava-cake/
I also thought of veggie (white) lasagne. That comes frozen, premade, for a lazy/busy day. Heat n eat.
It might be a good idea to think about serving yourself, Sarah, like a kid who is a stubborn eater. Mom experience and science, here. Basically, put 2/3 of what you normally eat on a very big plate (a modern charger) so it looks like a great deal less. It tricks the brain into thinking less of eating as a chore, and more like something that is NOT overwhelming. Don’t let Nick do it for his plate, though, because to make it look normally full, the giant plate ends up holding lots extra.
PS beer is high in calories, if that appeals to you 🙂
Cheers
Aoife
Chili con carne? Or con tofu, if you prefer that? I also second pasta – pasta with thick cream sauce and salmon or chicken and mushrooms. Risottos with lots of cream in them.
Toad-in-the-hole has also been fondly looked on here. And if you like walnuts, there’s always fesenjoon (pomegranate walnut chicken) – take chicken (legs or whole chicken, or duck) and c. 200 g of walnut per pound of chicken; grind nuts and make a thick sauce from them by adding water; toss in one or two halved onions and some (sour) pomegrenade syrup. Put in chicken, let it simmer on low heat for a long time (the longer the better, you can make it as an oven dish). Before serving, add salt, pepper, sugar, more pomegrenade syrup to taste. Serve with rice, couscous, or whatever else you prefer.
Oh, and I was told that the name of the dish means something like “Eat and you will live”.
Also, relevant t-shirt: http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QC-COGITO-GALAXY&Category_Code=QC
List, what list? There is no list. And if there was a list, the only reason I would be in front of you is my primary mandate to keep Thorvald out of jail and provide a plausible denial scenario for Herr Doktor.
List, don’t be silly. A list would be illegal and a conspiracy to commit a morally hazardous endeavor endangering the mental and physical safety of a third party.
Prank call, prank call.
valerio
[Zuul] There is no List, only Zuul! [/Zuul]
Longbaugh: What do you think?
Parker: I think a plan is just a list of things that don’t happen.
(Those of you who haven’t seen The Way of The Gun – well, it’s not a GREAT movie. But it is a watchable, interesting, COMPULSIVELY quotable crime flick. Those of you who like that sort of thing will find it the kind of thing you like.)
indeed and truely
which one of you 2 is the brains of the group?
This ain’t a brains kind of outfit,,,,
way of the gun
{the author has noted that these have nothing to do with food ideas for sarah, but distractions for Thorvald are considered Holistic therapy for Sarah’s condition. ed.}
Good to talk to you the other day. Hope to see you in a few weeks. Don’t have any suggestions for chemo food. Except that Faccia Luna can be therapeutic.