One day I noticed that I no longer had an appetite. Shortly after chemo treatments, I noticed that my food did not taste the same. I was no longer hungry. I felt nauseous by the scent of things that never bothered me before. I did not want to eat anymore.
It is difficult to explain. I know it is frustrating to my family and friends who just think that all I have to do is eat something or just take a bite. It is as though they think that I am giving up. What they cannot understand is that I wish I could eat something but I just can’t. I have tried, the food just would not stay down – the vomiting begins.
The doctor gave me steroids which caused me to gain 32 pounds. On the bright side, I was eating once again – taking one bite at a time. My appetite increased and everyone was happy. However, if the depression of the cancer diagnosis was not enough – the weight gain added to my distress.
Now that I have completed my treatment, my appetite has returned. I am working out and monitoring my diet. I am not back into my pre-cancer clothes yet, but I am almost there. I am back to eating my favorite foods – just taking it lightly – one bite at a time.
Joy M. (Uterine Cancer)
SOLUTIONS Cancer Resource Center, Inc. 