- With Mayo Clinic nurse educator
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
Latest entries
- Share your story about living with cancer
May 18, 2013
- Gratitude for a mother's care and love
May 10, 2013
- Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day
May 3, 2013
- Practice mindful eating during, after cancer treatment
April 27, 2013
- How to manage hand-foot syndrome from chemotherapy
April 20, 2013
Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Living with cancer blog
-
April 21, 2012
Tastes change during cancer treatment: Try more vegetables
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
I love spring weather! Warmer, longer days, flowers blooming, green leaves on the trees, and fresh, seasonal vegetables in the markets.
A few weeks back, we talked about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fresh vegetables. This spring, find new ways to incorporate fresh vegetables into your diet; and make the changes last all year.
One of my favorite ways is to make a salad. Include crisp, leafy greens, asparagus (steamed, grilled or roasted), spring onions, and radishes. Add protein by including white beans, garbanzo beans or lean roasted turkey. Finish the salad with a simple dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar, and you have a tasty creation.
During and after treatment for cancer; your tastes can change. I've heard from many people that they prefer vegetables over meat especially during this time. A nice protein option is to make an omelet or frittata. There are many recipes available for this idea.
I especially like to include sautéed onions, zucchini and asparagus or broccoli with 2-3 eggs (or simply egg whites) along with new potatoes with the skins still on them. Use olive oil in the pan to sauté your vegetables and this will keep the fat content healthy. If you love toast along with this dish, choose whole grain bread.
For dessert, mix vanilla or plain yogurt with fresh strawberries, blueberries or bananas. Add a few nuts on the top, or a little granola and your sweet tooth will be satisfied.
I know many of you have other great thoughts for incorporating healthy vegetables and fruits into our diets. Share your ideas and suggestions on the blog.
Follow me on Twitter at @SherylNess1. Join the discussion at #livingwithcancer.
11 comments posted
September 25, 2012 1:38 a.m.
my dad has stage 4 esophageal cancer. he has lost about 30 lbs in the last 2 months. is there anything besides ensure that will put weight on him? he has a very difficult time swallowing. his doctor doesnt give suggestions to him he has to force them out of the doctor. he is suppose to get a port "sometime" soon
- leslie
June 25, 2012 9:26 p.m.
In May my father had an temporary colonostopy surgery and has had many set backs. He is 81. Just discovered is cancer in the liver. His treatment options are intraveinous chemo or chemo pills. He wants to know what treatment is better or are they equal in value?
- Lynette
May 3, 2012 6:58 p.m.
I do not want to eat anything! I really would like to throw everything away that is in the refrigartor1 lol This is 4 days after chemo. I am surviving on Ensure.
- Susan
May 2, 2012 9:20 p.m.
I have been on the oral chemotherapy, Gleevec, for 12 years now to subdue my chronic myeloid leukemia. I have noticed a great change in my tastes during that time. I used to love eggs, and have gone completely off them. Very few sweets intrigue me anymore. I have an insatiable appetite for fruit and vegetables...and popsicles.
- Angelyn
April 26, 2012 8:52 p.m.
Starbucks will ad protein to their coffee drinks...thus not changing your lifestyle, BUT CREATING A WAY TO MAINTAIN YOUR WEIGHT.
- Mickey
April 26, 2012 7:25 p.m.
My O Dr. infused me with calcium plus other electrolytes on my second chemo treatment (FOLFOX cocktail) which includes oxaliplatin http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/o
xaliplatin which greatly reduced the extreme taste and odor distortions which I experienced with my first treatment, without the calcium. - Margaret
April 26, 2012 4:55 p.m.
I have MM. I have already had my stem cell transplant. I am in remission. I have lost being able to smell things. I can taste, but that may not be as good as it was. I don't know when I lost being able to smell. I have side effects from my revlimid. I am taking the lowest dose my doctor can give me without going off of it. I am still Bless with my family and wonderful doctor.
- SU
April 26, 2012 2:58 p.m.
April 26, 2012 I have been treated for Giant Cell Artiritis followed by Poly Myaligia Rheumatica for the last 8 years. They are under control now with wonder drugs with side effects. Just two weeks ago I had skin surgery for Melanoma. It was on the side of my knee, a bad place because of bending the knee. I was surprized at what a large insision that had to be made to get all the cancer. I will probably not have it again there. Now, I have to look forward to more biopsey's and more surgery. I have a suspious looking ones in the vagina area. It really scares me because I have know idea how they treat this. It is taking me longer to recover than I thought. I thought get out the stitches and it's over in 2 weeks. It's been three weeks and not healed up yet. It not oly effects ther area, but the whole person. Phycological and phyisical too.
- Betty
April 26, 2012 1:04 p.m.
Being in remission from Inflammatory Breast Cancer, I recommend everyone, with or without an active cancer, read, "Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Living" by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD. It is so comprehensive and includes life changing/saving observations. Most of this newsletter info is included in it in a varied foremat. Thank you for all the info that you share with us.
- Sally
April 26, 2012 10:23 a.m.
I have to have an operation on my right testicle in June. The right one is at least 8 times the size of the left one. It's called a "hydrocoelectomy".I was told that it would take up to a month to recover. Not looking forward to the surgery. Thanks. Can you elaborate on this type of operation.
- Dennis
April 21, 2012 1:04 a.m.
The hot weather has begun in AZ.... Tonight I reached for a bag of prepared greens that made a complete salad with Mexican flavorings. I added chicken white meat chunks. I was lucky. I can eat right now as I am on a 3-week maintenance treatment for multiple myeloma. Thanks for reminding me about garbanzo beans. I will keep trying some of the other prepared salads with dressings, etc. It made for a refreshing summer meal.
- Marcia
Share on:
11 comments posted