My pics from last week are encouraging. My specks are gone, my marbles are almost specks, and some of the bigger stuff is looking like bags of gravel.
Wonderful news!
I would like to make a humble suggestion to Admin. The day Red is announced cancer free, I would like to see that day named in honor of Red and we celebrate yearly on the forum! I know Red is a humble guy but I feel like it is important the begin celebrating the time and energy the medical section puts into helping people across the world. I believe we do more than any other forum and celebrating an inaugural cancer free day will help remind us of what we all enjoy most, helping people.
And yes, I am certain in the near future Red will be announced cancer free. I believe this.
You have my vote for this too!
Hey Red, with you and Rosa being so proactive with your treatment plan...I was looking for some healthy recipes for you since chemotherapy affects your taste and appetite.
I found
Cook For Your Life which was started by a cancer survivor in 2007.
There are several good recipes in there...you may have to adjust some to make them paleo.
Here is one for Turmeric Tea to help with nausea
Turmeric Tea
When you’re feeling tired or nauseous, I find this to be one of the most soothing, sweetly nourishing drinks you can sip on. It isn’t really tea in the real sense of the word it’s more of a honeyed spiced milk drink, rich in the a cancer fighting antioxidant powerhouse turmeric, a spice we could all use more of in our diets. This delicious drink is an easy, perfect way to get more of it.
Meal: Snacks & Beverages
Serves: 1
Prep: 15 min
Main Ingredient: Milk
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon honey, or to taste
- 1 cup warm regular milk, or unsweetened, unflavored almond or soy milk
This Banana Ice cream sounds cool
Banana Ice Cream
To make delicious banana ice cream, you only need one ingredient, bananas! But because it’s so easy to make, you can turn it into something more decadent by adding toppings of your choice. Dig in!
Meal: Dessert
Serves: 4
Prep: 15 min
Main Ingredient: Bananas
Ingredients
- 4 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
- Warm Nutella (optional)
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Method
Peel and freeze the bananas in an airtight container overnight.
1. Take the bananas out of the freezer and put them in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour the banana puree into a shallow metal pan.
3. Put a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the banana puree and put the mixture back into the freezer until the mixture is hard, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Scoop and serve with fresh banana, Nutella, chopped nuts, or garnish of your choice.
Keeping hydrated is important too...
Stay Hydrated All Summer Long
by Chelsea Fisher
Throughout summer, it should be a number one to-do on all of our lists to stay hydrated. But for those going through treatment, it's especially important as chemo can cause dehydration. Plus, side effect such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and poor food and water intake can all add to or result in dehydration.
Know The Signs Of Dehydration
Pay close attention to how often you are urinating and the color of your urine. It should be a pale yellow, similar to color of straw. There's room on the spectrum, but if your urine reaches a much darker color, like maple syrup, seek help from your doctor.
Other symptoms include dry mouth, fatigue, headaches, and constipation, which can all be associated with cancer treatment as well, a good reason to keep close watch on the color of your urine.
Tips For Staying Hydrated
Water + Electrolytes
Registered dietician Alexandra Rothwell recommends 8-12 cups of fluid per day and increased consumption of electrolytes such as potassium and sodium. Potassium can be found in foods like bananas, avocados, beans, and leafy greens. Sodium is also an important electrolyte. A great way to get sodium during treatment is to sip on lightly salted broths that can be made at home like our
vegetable broth or
chicken broth. She also recommends sprinkling a little salt on slices of apple or on other fruits. Many commercial sports drinks tout their electrolytes, but the amount of sugar in them outweighs the benefits of the limited electrolytes offered. If you're going that route, she advises drinking Pedialyte, which is higher in electrolytes and much lower in sugar.
Flavored Waters or Herbal Teas
One of the biggest issues we hear about from our class patrons is the way water tastes when they are going through chemotherapy. They often complain about the metallic taste that occurs when they drink plain water. Instead of reaching for the sugary soda or sports drinks, consider flavoring your water to make it more palatable, and try different tastes to find the one that suits you best. If you're on the neutropenic diet, simply zap the fruits in the microwave for a minute or two, and use the syrup left at the bottom and the cooked fruit to flavor your water.
Here are some of our recipes for refreshing flavored waters and iced teas to inspire you.
Hydrating Foods
A lot of your daily intake of water comes through food. In fact, some fruits and vegetables are over 90% water by volume. If you are not eating as much due to a lack of appetite from treatment you need to take this into consideration and up your fluid intake.
Here are some of the best foods for hydration. Keep these around for replenishing snacking.
Hydrating Treats
Icy treats are another way to help with hydration. If appetite is severely low, mouth is sore, or nausea is in full force slowly eating icy treats can be very helpful way to ease many side effects.
Granitas, popsicles, and smoothies are all great options.
Attractive Containers
It may seem silly, but if treatment is leaving you dehydrated and water does not look appetizing, consider different glasses.
Many people find it easier to drink out of a cup with a built in straw. For others a large glass pitcher of water chilling in the fridge is a good option, maybe a mason jar is your thing, a large water bottle, whatever it takes to remember to drink water is well worth it.
A4, my good friend.
And you wouldn't have to make any lifestyle changes to see benefits. 
The Missus is writing down a daily check list for me so I can keep track of everything.... I feel like a kid sometimes, but so much has been going on I tend to forget the basic things.
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