[DebbieJ54]

Is it okay to cook while you're neutropenic?

by DebbieJ54 on Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:18 am

Hi!

I am scheduled for my transplant on February 1, but when I went in this past week for my bone marrow biopsy and testing, they found that I am severely neutropenic (0.34 neutrophils). I am scheduled for my first shot of Neupogen tomorrow.

My question is: I want to cook, but I am nervous about handling the raw vegetables and cutting them up for soup. Do I need to be careful? Do veggies put spores into the air as I cut them up when cooking?

This is a new phase of things for me, and I've read up as much as I can find online. My husband and I have disinfected the house, but each day I read something else about food, fungus, and bacteria, and then I wonder about safety precautions. I am not a real fastidious type of person, but I do want to take proper precautions. Don't want to jeopardize my health because I cut up some celery.

At this point, I still feel great, but am limited to staying in the house right now. Can I safely handle raw veggies? Should I be wearing gloves and mask?

Thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this for me!

[NStewart]

Re: Is it okay to cook while you're neutropenic?

by NStewart on Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:15 pm

I can't answer your questions as a doctor or dietitian, but I can as a person who was on the neutropenic diet pre-transplant. Here are some things that I suggest you do that may be helpful:

1. Wear gloves - the disposable kind that you can get at any pharmacy
2. Use clean cutting boards, and maybe not one that you use for meat. Wash with soap and water before using.
3. Wash your knife with soap and water before using each time even though you've washed it after using.
4. Wash the fruit and vegetables before cutting.
5. Don't sample any of the vegetables, or fruits, as you cut them. This is a habit of mine.
6. Make sure that all of your vegetables and fruits are thoroughly cooked.
7. If you use herbs or spices with your cooking, make sure that you put them into your dish while it is cooking. This is especially important with black pepper since it can have a fungus on it.
8. Wash everything thoroughly after you finish preparing your dish. I use soap and water. Many use the antibiotic products. I personally think that that is overkill.

Just be very mindful of what you are eating and touching. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. I had no problems, but I wasn't happy with my limited choice of foods because of the diet. You will be on it again for about a week if you are having your transplant soon when your numbers begin to bottom out again.

Good luck with everything and with your transplant. Let us know how things go.
Nancy in Phila

[DebbieJ54]

Re: Is it okay to cook while you're neutropenic?

by DebbieJ54 on Sat Jan 09, 2016 5:49 am

Thank you, Nancy!

I had been prepared to become neutropenic after transplant, but I hadn't been prepared to have this before my transplant! This was a surprise. My numbers were 13000 3 weeks ago, now they are at 340. I had finished my 4th round of cyclophosphamide, Velcade, and dexamethasone (CyborD) 3 weeks ago. I am scheduled for my first Neupogen shot today in preparation for my transplant.

I have been using the gloves (and using my husband for much of the chopping, as he knows that I have a habit of cutting a finger or two while I cook, LOL!) and we just had some question about what might be released airborne when I chop up onions or celery or?

Not used to being this careful about everything I touch, breathe or eat!