Being diagnosed with mesothelioma
brings a person and his or her family many challenges. Like other people
undergoing cancer treatments, mesothelioma
patients may experience particularly rough gastric distress when they eat
certain foods. With the end-of-year holidays underway (and some
fast-approaching!), many families, friends, and workplaces are throwing parties
that involve rich foods and other delights; often, cancer patients may feel
left out, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Buffet events, potluck suppers, and
large parties involving rich foods and alcohol are mainstays. Most everyone
looks forward to the food; with a little
preparation, mesothelioma patients can be among that number as well.
Food!
There’s no harm in telling people
you aren’t up to partying as heartily as you might once have been. Don’t feel
obligated to test your limits; rather, know – and avoid eating – what is likely
to upset your stomach. All foods might, in general, make you ill. If that is
the case, offer to bring paper goods or drinks to a party; if you’re known for
preparing a special dish, such as pasta salad, tell your party guests you’ll
focus on that dish, then ask them to bring the rest of the fare. The American Cancer Society has some other advice:
- Before going to parties where you might be tempted, ask your physician if drinking alcohol is acceptable.
- Treat potlucks and buffet-style parties as opportunities to try new foods. Rather than eating a lot of one certain type of food, try little bits of several foods – those that won’t upset your stomach.
- Watch the dishes as they arrive and make a mental menu; if there’s a chance you might not have many food options, eat before you head out – aim for something high in fiber and protein.
Hosting an event or preparing a meal
also presents challenges, but those challenges are not insurmountable. Allow
people to help you out! Aren’t people always asking what they can do to help?
Delegate tasks to people willing to help out, pass along recipes to friends and
family members who want to help with cooking, and allow yourself extra time to
prepare the meal. If necessary, have a comfortable chair (or another helper!)
nearby.
Signs,
Symptoms, Safety
It is inevitable that fatty, greasy,
aromatic foods will make it to the holiday table. Foods that fit this bill can
exacerbate some of the physical symptoms of cancer
treatment, such as changes in your sense of smell and taste, or the
presence of nausea or constipation.
Foods that are high in fat tend to
cause indigestion, so look for options that are steamed, baked, or grilled;
foods like potatoes, rice, and bread are typically safe as long as they aren’t
in a heavy sauce.
Not only should mesothelioma
patients be mindful of their food options at
the party, patients should be mindful of holiday food after the party as well. As the various treatment plans for mesothelioma
will weaken a person’s immune system, it is important to be especially mindful
of food-borne illnesses.
- Keep track of how long you hold on to leftovers, and avoid foods that have been sitting out for a long time.
- Don’t consume undercooked food – such as a medium-rare steak. And don’t be afraid to ask the cook how long something was cooked.
- Identify “safe foods” at the party. Cheese and crackers, salsas and dips, biscuits, mixed nuts, and desserts can all sit out longer than other foods. Consider bringing foods you know you can eat; to ensure the raw vegetables are properly washed, offer to bring the veggie tray yourself!
Though cancer treatment can be an
uncertain and often difficult ordeal, it does not have to completely inhibit a
person’s holiday plans. Take a little time to prepare, to create an action
plan, then enjoy your holiday to the fullest!
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