What to eat while going through chemo?

I figure you just have to keep experimenting.  Isn't that what medical marijuana is for?  I did do some radiation treatments for thyroid cancer but not full blown chemo so I never really had any serious nausea problems.

My mom got a lot of milkshakes during chemo. She gained weight.  

I hope your son will be OK and that the chemo gets all the cancer. 

Brownies, baked with marijuana.  Mr brother swore by them.  He said the brownies gave him some caloric benefit and the marijuana reduced his nausea to food down to almost nothing.

How about something like Ensure or something with soy?  Bolthouse makes some soy protein drinks (vanilla chai is my favorite).  Hope the cancer gets zapped this time and doesn't ever come back!

Awe, poor kid.  

Sorry you and your family are going thru this.  I think chemo is a bit different for everyone. Try some popsicles.  The cold is soothing and will get at least some calories in him.  Maybe soup or gatorade or something like that.  Pedi-a-sure may work, bananas, applesauce.  I hope he is feeling better soon

And I apologize for skimming your original post! 

stupidcancer.org has a good list of links for teen cancer resources. Good luck and hope your son achieves a complete recovery.

I'm no expert on chemo, but my sister is a pediatric RN that deals with kids on chemo every day. I asked her for you and her response was:

"They make kid flavored boost and ensure- anything with extra calories and vitamins. Generally it's ok to not eat during chemo- as long as they are hydrated- but they should talk to the doctor about different anti nausea meds because nausea is usually much improved a few days after administration. There are specific holistic diets that some adults follow but I dont know much about them. For the kids, we let them eat whatever they want- we've  had kids that only eat one thing for months, whatever works"

Not sure if that helps, but we both send our support to you and the whole family.

I have no input on food options but wanted to add Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults may also be a resource for you and your son.  Best wishes in his recovery!

About four years ago, I went through about three months of intense chemo after two major surgeries with complications and then radiation therapy.  During the chemo sessions most food tasted like vacuum cleaner dirt.  The anti-nausea drugs were great and never had a problem with that but it was hard to find food that didn't taste terrible.

Chemo affects your taste buds and there is not a lot you can do about that.  Just have to keep looking for things that will work.  I found that sweets were more tolerable.  I ate a lot of tootsie pops and jolly ranchers.  I also had no problem with popsicles.  Slurpees from 7-11 were the best.  My chemo sessions were five days long in the hospital and I always stopped at 7-11 on the way home.

There are some great treatments out there and yes, cancer can be beat.  I have met a lot of people with amazing recovery stories.  I initially was not given great hope as I had a rare, aggressive type of sarcoma.  Since my cancer, I've done 8 marathons, 2 HIM's, 2 IM's, a 50-miler, and dozens of shorter races and am stronger and faster than I have been since my 20's.  I am 52.

There is much reason for great hope.  I live it and preach it everyday.  Best wishes to your son and I hope you find peace during this time.  It is often more difficult emotionally for those with loved ones afflicted, especially children, then the folks actually going through treatment.