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Fatigue after Ovarian Cancer Treatment
My mother has stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. She can no longer eat and has a feeding tube. Since coming home she seems very tired, frustrated, and does not wish to engage in any activities. Do you have any hints how we could help her? It is a real exercise in tact. Thank you. Lora Packel MS, PT, Coordinator of Cancer

Questions about Chemotherapy-related Fatigue
Can chemotherapy-related fatigue last 5 months after treatment has ended? I recently returned to work as a teacher and felt dizzy and off balance. Can the fatigue reoccur slightly after returning to work? Lora Packel MS, PT, Coordinator of Cancer Therapy Services for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania,

Chronic fatigue after bone marrow transplant
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I work with bone marrow transplant patients who often complain about chronic fatigue even years after their transplant. Is there any research or articles written on this subject? These patients are in their 30's or 40's and the fatigue is very depressing to them. Lora Packel MS, PT, Coordinator of Cancer

Fatigue During Radiation
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My husband got radiation treatment 10 years ago. He sailed through it and worked full time. I am getting radiation for breast cancer now and am so tired I can hardly get out of bed some days. Am I feeling tired from the radiation and why did my husband not have these problems? He thinks I’m being dramatic!Tammi

Fatigue Continues After Treatment
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Can chemotherapy-related fatigue last 5 months after treatment has ended? I recently returned to work as a teacher and felt dizzy and off balance. Can the fatigue reoccur slightly after returning to work?Lora Packel MS, PT, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia,

Nutrition

Nutrition and Chemotherapy after Gastric Bypass Surgery
Question I had gastric bypass surgery about 5 years ago. Now I am about to start treatment for colon cancer with chemo. I am really worried about how to manage nutrition with this combination. Any advice appreciated! Answer Katrina Claghorn, Registered Dietician at Penn Medicine, responds: Managing your nutritional status during treatment may

Nutritional Supplements Drinks after Radiation
Question My husband has trouble with thick secretions after radiation, but also we are trying to maintain his weight. People had suggested Boost, but I am worried that" a milk-like product" will only make things thicker. Are there other options? Answer Valaree Williams MS RD LDN, Clinical Dietitian Specialist, Department of Radiation Oncology

Nutritional Status and TPN
My father has had a total small bowel and sub-total large bowel resection due to a carcinoid tumor. He is currently on a total TPN diet but continues to lose weight and is spending a lot of time in the hospital I feel he is not getting the proper amount of protein in his TPN. Any information on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Liquid Nutrition Supplements
Should I take liquid nutrition supplements during my cancer treatment? Katrina Claghorn, RD, Oncology Dietitian for The University of Pennsylvania Health System, responds: Maintaining your nutrition status during the course of cancer treatment is a goal shared by the medical team.However the side effects of the

Post-Gastrectomy Nutrition
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," My father had a gastrectomy for his gastric cancer 3 weeks ago. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy. The main problem for him now is discomfort after eating even small amounts of food. We feel he is not getting enough nutrition. I would like to know what type of diet my father should be on? And

Diet

Importance of Low Iodine-Diet
Question If you mess up your low-iodine diet will the treatments be less effective? I am so stressed out about this diet! Answer Marcia Brose, MD, Director of Thyroid Cancer Therapeutics Program at Penn Medicine responds, Yes! So if you have messed up your diet, let your physician know immediately so that they can reschedule your treatments.

Diet After Thyroid Surgery
Question What kind of diet do I need to follow if I had surgery for thyroid cancer or have a recurrence of thyroid cancer? Answer Rachel Kelz, MD, MSCE, at Penn Medicine responds, Thyroid cancer surgery does not require a specific diet. You are usually instructed to avoid foods that worsen your sore throat. If you need treatment with

Raw Diet for Pets with Cancer
Question I've read that a diet free of grains may slow the cancer, is this accurate? what are the panel's thoughts on the Budwig diet or flax oil/cottage cheese combination? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM, Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer There are no clinical studies of grain free diets in dogs with cancer.

Diet Needs for Dog Being Treated for Cancer
Question My dog is starting on chemo for lymphoma. Do you have suggestions for a diet that might help manage any side effects or keep him from losing weight? Erika Krick, VMD, DACVIM Veterinary Medical Oncologist, University of Pennsylvania, responds: Answer Hill's has a diet for dogs with cancer called n/d that you could discuss with your

Low Iodine Diet
Dear OncoLink "Ask the Experts," I am about to receive radioiodine treatments and I need to follow a low iodine diet. Can you give me any direction? ThanksKB Katrina Claghorn, RD, Oncology Dietitian for The University of Pennsylvania Health System, responds: The point of a low iodine diet is to deplete

Exercise

Exercise after mastectomy
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am looking for the latest information regarding exercise for a very recent postop mastectomy. Or is it doctor related preference as how much exercise how soon? Lora Packel, MSPT, Coordinator of Cancer Rehabilitation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, responds:

Exercise after a tram flap
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I'm interested in knowing how tram flap breast cancer survivors handle exercise and muscle toning. I am a 5-year survivor with a tram flap and have gained 100+ lbs. and am now getting back in to the exercise mode and want to know what kind of exercises will help with my bending motion. Lora Packel MS, PT,

Abdominal Exercise after Mastectomy
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I was diagnosed with breast cancer about 4.5 years ago, and had a mastectomy and TRAM flap reconstruction. Since that time, I have had to wear a support on my abdomen. I originally gained weight, but have lost some of it. I started an intense exercise program about 6 months ago, and now my abdomen is much more

Exercise After Breast Cancer
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Although my wife and I have been told that squash and tennis (which my wife played before her mastectomy) is not recommended, I am curious to know why? Whereas weight training seems to be getting a cautious 'green light', are there specific reasons why racket sports and the type of arm movement involved would

Swimming and Exercise While on Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer?
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am about to start radiation therapy for breast cancer. Can I swim during this time? I have heard conflicting reports about exercise during therapy. Linda McGrath Boyle PT, DPT CLT-LANA, Cancer Rehab Specialist and OncoLink Lymphedema Team Editor, responds:Your doctors, including the surgeon, medical oncologist,