What is “Chemo Belly”?

In today’s video I'm discussing the causes of "chemo belly" and what you can do to help get rid of it!***Click here for products to help you through chemotherapy: www.amazon.com/shop/marinabla...
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I’m Marina Blackford, a 2x breast cancer survivor, mom, Boston marathon runner and dental hygienist with a passion for sharing positivity and life hacks.
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This information is provided solely for educational and entertainment purposes. I am a cancer coach, but not a licensed therapist or doctor. This information is not intended to be a substitute for the professional opinion of a doctor or licensed therapist.

[@anniealtevers2173]

I just had my last round of chemo on Friday! Thank you for your videos! 💕

[@MarinaBlackford]

Congrats on finishing chemo! That’s a big one! I pray you’re healing!

[@tesstolentino8041]

Thank goodness I never had this issue during my chemo! However, I was about to quit after my 2nd cycle as TCHP side effect was very hard for me, after my 1st my oncologist reduced 2 of chemo drugs by 25% by 4th cycle it was reduced to 50% and Jan 31st will be my last infusion to make up for those, wohoooo! Radiation culminated in Dec and my port comes out in less than 2 wks, YAY! Never had "chemo belly" as I did liquid diet mostly during 4 months as that's all I was able to tolerate. Iron level was good because I was also did Granix injection. Nurse told me to avoid leafy greens during that time but soups with green leafy veges were all I can have too and rice with kimchi (although not good for diarrhea) Ate mostly with something sour like lemons or vinegar was the only stuff I can tolerate at the time. BTW, Ensure nutrition shakes complete was a lifesaver for me as well as max protein and Ensure clear nutrition drink was my goto also, they're just supplements but they are great healthy fillers. For drinks, I had lemon-lime drinks zero sugar stand by at all times if water wasn't tolerable. For neuropathy, I have the worst because I only started using ice after my 3rd cycle, even though I watched your vlog in 2021...what a nightmare! Now taking 1800 mg of Gabapentin daily, Dr says if it is still here after 2yrs, then I'm stuck with it, oh no!!!! Worst due to Fibromyalgia for yrs prior to cancer diagnosis. I hope this helps to your viewers! Recent MRI, CT, BX so far is negative for cancer but never sleep on it and be proactive on the defense of not coming back as dx was high risk for recurrence. I always watch you Marina! you help out much for my regimen. THANKS!

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you so much for sharing! Absolutely this can help someone! I pray you stay cancer free! ❤️

[@mehvishaftab6687]

Hello dear what should we do with neuropathy before going to chemo round

[@mariev4875]

I’m on my second round of TC. And these gut issues are the worst. There’s days I want to just cry.

[@MarinaBlackford]

I’m so sorry. That is very hard. Please tell your medical team. I hope they’re able to help you in someway.

[@minnesotagal507]

Great advice, my last chemo was October 3rd.

[@karenlott8691]

Hi Marina, I've been dealing with health issues since 2021 being dx with strokes x3, seizures, my BP was uncontrollable for a while. During some of many test I was told that I had a "shadow " over my thyroid. In Mar 2023 I was having a routine ckup with my NP, I mentioned this and also that I have a knot in my Rt breast. So I was sent for a mammogram and US of Rt breast, lymph nodes(done), a biopsy of breast nodule. Which did come back with invasive ductal carcinoma. Sent to general surgeon who is sending me to the Cancer Ctr for further eval on 5/18/2023. I go to ENT 5/16/2023- for thyroid. I am so sorry for what you have gone through, but am SO VERY GRATEFUL that you are reaching out to others like myself to help us along on this journey. All I knew to do at the time was go to Ytube and typed into search my dx and I do believe that God sent you to me. I look forward to seeing you again and again. Tyvvm!!

[@MarinaBlackford]

You’re doing all your research. Sounds like you are thorough. I do believe you’re on the right path Karen. I’ll be rooting for you. Yes, you are always welcome here. Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@grammysix5459]

Thank you for your help.

[@lyndaabued-schlapsi260]

Thank you for your latest informative video.

[@karissajones2294]

Thank you. ❤

[@karenknight9565]

Hi Marina! Great advice!! 💕

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you! ❤️

[@somedude626]

Hey my last chemo early December I feel neuropathy swelling in my hand is not that bad…now I feel the numbness in my feet again not bad but it started after chemo never during a month after hope it lessens as time goes by…thank you for posting positive videos and see life after chemo it gives me hope take care

[@MarinaBlackford]

I hope it lessens too! Thank you for watching! ❤️

[@stasiaserkis-bt4zj]

Hi Marina, loved reading your helpful comments. Thank you! I am from Australia, Victoria in the country. We have a new cancer hospital, which I have started to attend. Had my first chemo for breast cancer. Scary but the angel nurses were wonderful. Led me gently by the hand. Another 3/5 more, then radiation, then surgery. Here in Australia they have baned icing fingers because of later comlication. I had pressure gloves on hands to help, tight socks were recommended. Any way thank you again for your gratefully accepted words of advice. Stella Swiers.xo

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Thank you for being here! The nurses are so wonderful in my experience. Thank you for sharing about icing. I think we do need to ice carefully! All my icing had cloth between my skin and ice packs which seemed to help. Compression is a great option. I’ll look into that! May you heal!

[@mhicks880]

Miralax and Colace also help with constipation. I ate healthy and drank plenty of water, but that didn't help at all.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Yes! Miralax can help. Thank you!

[@jenniferleduc8969]

The week after my first chemo infusion I dealt with nausea, lack of appetite, and diarrhea. I was eating bland foods like the ones you've mentioned but I still had acid reflux. I let my treatment team know. I was prescribed Omeparazole and at my 2nd chemo, my dr added Pepid (Famotidine) - that seemed to help a lot. I also had a prescription anti-diarrhea medicine in addition to the Imodium I had at home. A couple of times I had some abdominal cramping and was given another prescription medicine for that.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you for sharing! This can help someone.

[@datholangching5630]

Helpful

[@nonyabiness4023]

I have chemo belly…I think. Taxotere and Cytoxin! Ugh! Strong doses for triple negative breast cancer. Constipation, fluid build up, but I had no appetite. I couldn’t taste. I finished 5 months ago and still can’t clean my plate and still gained belly fat. They had me on steroids too! I’m glad it’s over, but I still have belly fat! I’ve always been thin and active! This is really difficult for me to accept my body. Bilateral mastectomy too. Ugh! It’s horrible! No breasts but all belly!

[@MarinaBlackford]

You’ve been through so much! I hope you continue to heal and get some energy.

[@queenofgreen83]

Please remember the caveat that those with blood cancers have to be SUPER careful about eating raw fruits and veggies, as our decimated immune systems are unable to fight even a tiny bit of hidden mold.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Yes. Modify for your body.

[@crystalb320]

Hi Marina! First of all, I just want to say that I love your videos and thank you for them! I saw that in one of your videos, you got a full hysterectomy done. I was wondering what made you decide to do a full hysterectomy? I am BRCA2+ and my oncologist suggested I only do an oophorectomy (ovary removal). But, I am wondering if it may be better to do a full hysterectomy. When I was first diagnosed, I was er/pr+, her2-. So the idea is to stop estrogen and also lower risks of ovarian cancer.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi Crytstal, thank you for watching! I decided to do a full hysterectomy due to not having much benefit in keeping my uterus. I just wanted the best odds of not having any cancer. If it’s recommended for you to have ovaries removed to lower your risk for ovarian cancer, I would ask about removing your fallopian tubes too. Studies show it’s likely the tubes where ovarian cancer starts. Hope that helps. 🙏🏼

[@crystalb320]

Ok. I will definitely ask about my fallopian tubes as well. Thank you so much. ❤️

[@NanookiePookie]

I think because I already have GERD that I knew how to deal with the reflux. I was the opposite and lost a lot of weight (at least 10lbs per cycle) and then would gain back half by the next round. I had gained weight during the pandemic anyway so it kind of worked out. I also think part of it was not even liking sweets from round 3-6 lol Now I'm just maintaining my current weight and glad my sense of taste returned...well, at least 98% of it. I believe if you have a hormone fed cancer, like I did, you have to steer clear of the collagen. But these are still great tips.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Thank you for sharing! The ups and downs of cancer treatment! Yes, collagen has some mixed reviews. I would recommend anyone ask their oncologist. Research from MD Anderson suggests collagen could slow metastasis and some research says to avoid for hormone positive. I think the quality of what we are eating is a big factor. Quality bone broth can be great. Grass-fed, organic animal by product is better than just any old protein. Do your best out there! ❤️

[@winterskycreations]

My challenge is to figure out how to eat well with an ileostomy and chemo for ovarian cancer. I’m trying to learn what’s best for both when the types of food seem to be opposite.

[@MarinaBlackford]

I’d say listen to your body and ask your medical team. I hope they can help you! 🙏🏼

[@LifeofPaolah]

I have nine more sessions left of taxol. I’ve never dealt with bloating like I do now. I also gained about 11 pounds since starting chemo! 😭 all my jeans fit less and less. I just want my old body back.

[@MarinaBlackford]

I’m sorry. That is hard. Add in the fatigue and all the other symptoms, and this can be very depressing. All I can say is I hope at the end of this you are completely cancer free and can refocus on what you need to do to feel well. Keep going. Keep healing.

[@pattystephens5977]

I heard that ENTERADE is good to take while on Chemo Therapy. It helps with being nauseous as well as having diarrhea, and overall gut problems.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Yes, it’s a nutritional supplement and can be a good option to drink during chemo. Thank you!

[@peggyswain9280]

My first chemo is Wednesday and I ordered that, it comes Friday though😢 I'll start on it then hopefully it will come early 🎉😊

[@chrisj8764]

Good advice as usual but I would caution against probiotics for those taking chemo - the reports are mixed but a bit of googling will show some reputable sites suggesting the risk of infection from the probiotic bacteria means that chemo patients should not take probiotics. I am going to err on the side of caution and stop taking them while having chemo.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! Thank you! Yes, this is a good one to ask your doctor about. Mine said probiotics from a food source was fine, like yogurt or kimchi. I did not take an added pill form during chemo.

[@shirlburris-fg8eq]

Eating half a cup of ramen gets rid of my constipation. I dont use much seasoning

[@MarinaBlackford]

Oh yum. Yes, not too much sodium!

[@edq-vs6le]

Hi dear, I want to know what do you use for nail polish? I've been off chemo almost 4 months. About to start radiation since my tcell lymphoma is back, but I want cute nails. Just wondering. I wish I had found your channel during my chemo journey. What should I look forward with radiation?

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! I like to use nail polish stickers from Colorstreet. I order mine online from a rep near where I live. They are so cute and easy to use once you do it a couple of times (KZbin a video on them). Radiation was easier than chemo to me. At first, there is not much symptoms. Besides laying there, it’s fast, in and out treatment. Over time, the skin gets red, sore and you’ll experience fatigue. It’s important to use lots of ointment and aloe on the radiated site. And get prescription crème for pain if needed.

[@mariaiosif741]

Hi Marina, I know it is not the topic of this video, you mentioned in one video that you had a skin rash and you had to make a biopsy for that….I could not find that video anymore?can you please tell me wich one it was, I am experiencing something similar one year after my triple negative breast cancer

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi Maria, yes I had a skin rash. They did not know what it was but it presented like eczema and would come and go. I saw a dermatologist for this.

[@mariaiosif741]

Thanks a lot, I have something similar, as you say, it comes ang goes…tomorrow i will see my surgeon and see what he suggests

[@SpringLovelle]

dermatologists can really be helpful during this time. Rashes are their specialty.

[@maribelnatividad6377]

Hello from the Philippines here i just want to ask you about the hair do your have regimen for that and what about skin on d face ?

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! I use a sulfate-free shampoo every 2nd or 3rd day. I wash my face nightly with a cleanser, toner and serum. I use a day cream every morning with some spf for sun protection. All my products are from Arbonne. Aveeno is a good option too.

[@lauramolony]

Yeah, I get the sweet tooth after chemo, just had my 7th round of it.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Oh the sweet tooth. Try having some healthy options around like fruit or plain yogurt with honey.

[@maria-fesouthside4685]

You got it! ❤🙏

[@jaiyeolamoju1561]

Can my mom take collagen supplements

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi, great question. There is a different research in regards to this. My best advice is to ask her oncologist. I believe collagen peptides in non-excessive doses so a couple days during the week, should be fine. That is from what I have seen from leading health experts.

[@secko13]

Question, is this just a breast cancer community or all types of cancer community?

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi! I specialize in breast cancer but all are welcome.

[@sohailahabiby5534]

I love you 😘

[@BubbleBurster-nv1vl]

Sounds like the KETO diet ... .

[@MarinaBlackford]

I guess it could. Definitely want to curb oily or processed food. But I still had carbs.