Nutritional Pathways: Wellness Journeys
Maintaining weight while battling cancer
Problem:
Maintaining an ideal body weight is a difficult situation for those afflicted with cancer. This is the case study of a middle aged retired physician named "Maria" who called for a consultation because she was losing weight rapidly. She could not maintain her weight, or stop losing it. She related that she had a type of nervous system tumors, called neurofibroma.
She had had many surgeries, lots of chemotherapy, and radiation. None of these treatments were able to retard the steady progress of the tumor growth. Her main concern was her progressive weight loss. She loved to travel, hike, and hoped to run in marathons again. The treadmill in the home kept her active, but she longed for the open road. She had a tricycle for transportation which she used to bike to the grocery store. Her driver's license had been taken away long ago. She had constant dizziness and had to steady herself as she moved about the home.
Discussion:
One of the many things that happens to patients with cancer is this problem with weight loss. This is especially true during the difficult ordeal of chemotherapy and radiation. Maria had completed these ordeals and had been able to re-establish her weight when the treatments were done. Now she was quite candid. She knew she had a very few years even months to live, and she believed if she could gain some weight she could live with more energy possibly extending her precious days.
After weighing her and measuring her, she was 90 pounds and 5'4". We then went to her kitchen to look at the food she had on hand. Maria was a vegetarian, liked to eat organic and did not eat fat. She avoided water. She usually ate cereals with skim milk. We talked frankly about nutritional physiology. She had some knowledge of these matters due to her years as a pediatritian. She understood to gain fat one has to eat fat. To assist the fat into the fat layer one must eat a significant amount of carbohydrates. Further she had underestimated her need for protein and water.
Plan:
Because Maria had certain nutritional preferences; we had to work together to make sure she would accept the menu I would propose. She loved peanut butter, cream cheese, butter and honey. All that we needed was protein, and she readily accepted whey protein powder as a choice for protein. We created a "protein bar" using those items. She loved it, and quickly adapted different flavors of protein powder with different types of nut butters. She continued to eat fruits and vegetables as desired. Most important she started drinking lots of water.
Follow up:
Our visits were in her home, due to her limited transportation resources. After one month I retuned to see how she had done. She had gained 9 pounds and was already feeling more energy. She was able to take care of her home and go on some short outings with friends. The second month she had gained an additional 6 pounds. Two months later she had gained another 5 pounds.
Her total weight gained was 20 pounds. She was planning a trip to Hawaii and was very excited. Our time together had given her the tools to gain fat, and the stamina to enjoy her last few months. Most important, she did it her way. She was able to wear clothes and not have them fall off.
Cancer takes its toll on the energy and nutrition of the patient. There are many nutritional strategies to compliment the wide range of situations that challenge the individual and the family of those who are afflicted by cancer. Nausea, vomiting, mouth sores and lack of appetite make maintaining good nutrition difficult. Should you or someone you know have a similar issue, please call for an in-home consultation and treatment plan.
Joy on the Journey, my Friend Maria. Godspeed.
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