| Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 71 | Sorry to have worried everyone...I am eating as I need to...and if I have a day (like today) that I didn't eat as well, then I go back to Ensure (and when it is gone the protein powder). I am not really trying to lose weight at this point...just trying to keep intake normal so I don't go back to the over-sized portions I was eating before.
I bought a few frozen dinners for lunch with shrimp and chicken with gravy type stuff, hoping I can eat those as well. With not much taste and having a slow time eating I still hate to cook for myself, then I find out I can't eat it so have been trying to pick things that are easy or a pretty "sure thing".
Don't worry, my neighbor is a retired nurse...she won't let me get by with anything! I have been drinking and eating...just slow trying new things. Yesterday was fine, tonight didn't go so well - mouth got sore and had the water blisters I get so I quit, brushed and rinsed, then drank an Ensure! :o)
I do appreciate the reminder in these and the earlier messages about the protein. I have been careful to get that in the ensure but forgot once I was eating. I was just trying to get FOOD! :o)
Michele in IL
Female - 53 no smoke/drink tongue Biopsy 8/2010 Surgery 9/21 for SCC left side tongue stage II. Prtl removal tongue/left side lymph nodes. All Clear Radiation started 11/2, ended 12/17 Lymph node involved left side along with gum involvement 2/9 Fibular flap failed 2/22. passed away 1/12/12
| | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 | Hi Nathan: Another hero! I am just starting this journey. New to cancer; new to this forum. The doctors anticipate that I will start radiation/chemo on Jan. 31. I had my tonsils and wisdom tooth out last week. I can't believe they are telling me that the pain from having my tonsils out is nothing compared to what's ahead. I'll be checking in to see how you're doing. Keep up the good work. I hope I can be as strong as you. -Michelle
SCC left tonsil, stage IV, HPV+, metastatic to one lymph node. Biopsy 12/23/10; tonsillectomy 1/13/11; DX 1/25/11; Peg in 1/28/11. Peg out 6/29. TX 1/31/11-3/21/11: 35 IMRT plus 3 Cisplatin. Pet-Scan 6/20/11 = CLEAR! Three years out, learning to live with the long-term side effects of radiation while reminding myself to feel blessed.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 168 | Congrats Nate. You are an inspiration. I am only 2 weeks post treatment. It is great to hear how it is going for you. I lie in bed dreaming of all my favorite foods. Still using the PEG but soon... I will try some broth. Keep up the good work. And to you... lots of healing thoughts from me. -Michelle
SCC left tonsil, stage IV, HPV+, metastatic to one lymph node. Biopsy 12/23/10; tonsillectomy 1/13/11; DX 1/25/11; Peg in 1/28/11. Peg out 6/29. TX 1/31/11-3/21/11: 35 IMRT plus 3 Cisplatin. Pet-Scan 6/20/11 = CLEAR! Three years out, learning to live with the long-term side effects of radiation while reminding myself to feel blessed.
| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | I tortured myself by watching all of the Food Network shows when I was going through treatments.
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I grabbed a 16 pack of protein shakes at Costco yesterday - 30 grams of protein... I throw in a scoop of protein powder, 23 more grams... 350 calories - plus fruit, maybe 400 calories... Makes a good breakfast... And gets me 2/3 of my protein requirement for the day. Tomorrow is the end of week 3 - radiation... A few sores in my mouth... A nasty one on my tongue - but for the most part I'm doing okay... though eating really sucks right now.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 131 "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts) | "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 131 | Well done! I will have to try wanton soup too, I'm having rads and chemo next week:( I am finding food a problem as I can't smell or taste it! And when I fancy something it tastes off and I can't eat it. Reading the posts here at least most people seem to be able to taste again sooner or later? Jayne x
Scc nasal cavity /hard palate Surgery removal of septum and roof of mouth 15/3/11 cl margins Rt and cisplatin 6 weeks starting 24/5/11 Obturator
Age 45
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | It's such a pain in the ass to eat, I'm with ya. I LOVE food, I LOVE to cook...but I fn hate eating anymore. It bums me out when I try because I loved eating so much and its so fricken hard to eat now. All those years of starving as a wrestler I have a special appreciation for good tasting food...I think that's why my wife owns a restaurant and is an amazing cook. Talk about torture.
Now the lions share of my calories are from ensure and protein blends...a lot of them trying to gain and maintain muscle. It's so hard to keep weight on and there's no possible way to maintain my weight through solids, I literally can't eat that much. So frustrating trying to gain weight back.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I hear you - Im still pretty early in the game recovery wise and my taste is coming back but I'm impatient! Food is an ordeal sometimes it's just easier to chug an ensure and boost. I had lentil and split pea soup last night and finished a whole bowl (it actually tasted good!) but it had me running to the bathroom all night - I guess there is such a thing as too much of a good thing - I have to remember smaller more frequent amounts - my body isn't used to a lot of foods at this point! I miss food since eating out was something we do for pleasure - ugh!!!
Jayne sadly the lack of taste can be a big turn off - but it should come back!! Hugs!
Last edited by Cheryld; 06-08-2011 06:52 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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