Losing weight?

Hi all, so my wife had her 1st chemo session of 4 last Monday for stage 4 ovarian cancer. I've kept an eye on her water intake and made sure she's eating throughout the day,mixture of carbs and protein and her appetite is pretty good however I'm getting worried that she looks like she's losing weight., like looking thinner? What can I do???

[dexta2005]

Hi, try not to worry to much. I lost a lot of weight and my appetite until I had chemo no. 2. Since then I put on some weight, and enjoy eating again. As long as your wife is drinking plenty of fluids and having a good balance diet, she will improve. Things will get better. x.

[Lyndy]

If she has any fluid (ascities) in her abdomen then this will start to recede after the first chemo. This could be another reason why she looks thinner.

Her team will keep a watchful eye on her, so don’t worry, get her to eat whatever she fancies. Most of us put on weight overall during chemo. The combination of inactivity and the munchies driven by high doses of steroid see to that. It’s early days so give it a little time to settle. Xx

[SUE7777]

Never mind what she looks like, if she's eating well that's a huge battle won, if she is losing weight they'll soon pick it up as the chemo is based on weight and they weigh you very regularly. What a sweetie you are taking care of her. X

[Cropcrop]

So long as she’s having a reasonable mix of nutrients and is well hydrated she’ll be fine. Her oncology team will weigh her prior to each infusion alongside checking her bloods.

It’s really not unusual to lose some weight at first but I

I actually put weight on during my chemo, mainly because I developed a taste for really sweet and really savoury foods, none of which were particularly low in calories and fairly empty calories at that.

I really wouldn’t be too concerned at this early stage, her oncology team will be monitoring her weight alongside her bloods as her chemo amount is based on her weight and if there is any cause for concern at any point they will flag it up.

It’s obvious you are caring well for your wife, keep looking after yourself too. Take lots of care and big virtual hugs to you both ❤️Xx Jane

[Maxjor]

I agree with all said before me! If you say she is eating, and its balanced, I would just estimate calorie intake to make sure she is eating enough for her weight...otherwise, she would be losing. But as others have stated, she should level off or gain a bit one the chemo kicks in and is doing its job, which will be very soon. If she avoids foods that in the past she worried might make her gain, maybe offer some of those. I stay away from pasta but when I was on the thinner side, I allowed myself amazing Italian meals of pasta and garlic bread, with no guilt! Wishing you luck- being so concerned and taking care of your wife is so helpful to her journey. Hugs, Judy

[SASSY196]

I agree with all said. I lost 2 stone in just over 2 weeks it was the ascites drying up or doing what ever it does. Little and often, lots of fluids. As others have said she will be weighed lots and if needed a nutritional will be involved.