Hi Coxy1964. 
sorry to hear about your diagnosis. 
Whilst I’ve not had chemo for breast cancer I’ve had 10 sessions of various chemo treatments  over the last 2 years for non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

Some of the time I was ok whilst others I did really go off certain foods. I felt nauseous before I ate anything. However, I did find the following made things more tolerable. 

it’s your first session so you may find that it gets easier. I found certain foods set me off.  It was the smell of cooking as well  so my husband had to learn to cook fast.!!!  Mash potato with gravy and meat cut really small and very tender. 
I found that eating small portions and snacks over the course of the day helped … an apple and small pieces of cheese were my favourite thing … healthy soups ( watch the salt) I was ok with white bread but not brown … ate crumpets or toast and Dairy Lea  … plus eating nuts and raisins, boiled egg or tuna sandwich but has to be with mayo or  salad cream. I could eat a small curry with some rice and yoghurt with berries … there were foods I just couldn’t bring myself to eat at times. I drank lots of milk as well … full fat organic seemed to work. Oranges and grapefruit … grapes  ( might need to check as if I remember rightly some chemos have restricted goods .. I was on the pregnancy diet so couldn’t eat my favourite seafood.) 
Plus drink lots of water it really is important to stay hydrated. I aimed for 2 litres a day. Some days it’s harder than others but I found getting up in the morning instead of drinking my usual cuppa I drank a big glass of water or hot water and lemon slice. It kicked off being hydrated and I could enjoy a cup of tea afterwards. Some people drank ginger ale or crystallised ginger which I do love but I went off of it. 
When you go for your next round your team will capture symptoms such as sickness ( work keeping a record of) there are lots of medications to combat sickness. 

I found it all trial an error … I highly recommend getting out walking each day if you can only walk for 10 minutes it makes a big difference even walking round the block or your garden. Clears your mind and blows the cobwebs out! 

I’ve been in remission for 11 months now … the journey is hard at times but you will meet some amazing people along the way and before you know it spring and summer will arrive and you will be in a better place and all fixed up. 

Xx 

You are welcome … a bit of a long reply but hope you find it useful. 
x 

Hello, and thanks for your post,

the other forum user has provided some very helpful suggestions which may help ease your symptoms.

It is a bit of trial and error working out the best medication and diet to help control your symptoms. It is important to let your team at the hospital know about the sickness that you have experienced so they can adjust your anti sickness medication at your next appointment.  Everyone is so different and what works for one person does not always work for another. 

Small frequent meals can help as nausea can be worse on an empty stomach. Some patients keep a tin of biscuits by their bedside which they can nibble on if they are feeling nauseas. Ginger biscuits may be helpful.

We have some general tips on sickness and what can help which you can see here

Chemotherapy can have an effect on your taste buds making food taste bland or metallic. It really is a question about working out what works for you. Some people find that ginger can be beneficial for nausea. You can buy fresh ginger which you can add to boiling water. Thinly slicing a few pieces which you can add to the water may be helpful. Plain boiled sweets can also help. Sometimes sucking ice lollies may help with the sickness or even chips of ice. 

It is important to drink regularly which is what it sounds like you are doing but try to do it throughout the day.

If your symptoms continue before your next appointment then do get in touch with your team at the hospital for advice. You have probably been given a helpline number to ring in emergencies and if you have persisting symptoms it is important to let them know.

If you have a Maggie Centre near you you may find it helpful to access some of their courses. they have online or face to face courses which may include diet and nutrition whilst having chemotherapy. Have a look at their details here

I hope that as time goes on the symptoms will get better. It does take time to adjust to having chemotherapy but it is important to try and manage the symptoms as best you can. Taking regular exercise can also help.

If you would like to ring and chat through any of this with one of the nurses on the helpline then you are welcome to do so. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine