And...it's been a very interesting couple of months.

Anybody that followed 'my' story knows I went thru the chemo and radiation like Grant took Richmond. Not a problem anywhere. No pain...no nausia and appetite was decent.

About 2 or 3 weeks AFTER all that is when the diasters began for me. In a word 'INFECTIONS'. I must have been very wide open and they 'floored' me. I've spent about the last couple months completely in hospitals and nursing homes trying to get a handle on them.

I'm home now....but weak as a kitten (especially when I try to stand up). Sitting down I can get by ok. Just had one of those diaphram stretches to try and get so I can swallow better about 5 days ago. It helps a bit....but still not there. I really haven't had SOLID food since about April so imagine it will take some time. What a pain.

I'm open for any ideas on WHAT I can try to get down without to much discomfort. I'd imagine something 'slick' like canned peaches, maybe spagetti, etc.?? Right now it's pretty much water and juices. I'm open for ANY ideas/suggestions to get my throat used to swallowing again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I apologize for being absent on this forum....but didn't have laptop to work in hospitals/nursing homes.

gary o

If you need calories and it sounds like you do, try Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC. It has 560 cals per 1 8 oz can and is packed with vits and mins you need. See my earlier post "Great Product".

Gary, sorry to hear you've been so under the weather[and I will overlook your reference to General Grant, even tho some of my ancestors were under Gen. Lee's command ] Have you searched for the famous "Shake recipes" here. There are variations that will net you lots of calories.We have aslo found a powder product made by Naturade- it's called Weight Gain [adds up to 1500 cals per drink][ ,]www.naturade.com], that has helped to boost John's weight gain efforts. Canned soups are hard to get many calories from, but homeade potato soup with whole milk and a dollop of butter and cream has good calories, pureed spinach soup, pea soup, bean soup- thinned with chicken stock[canned or boxed] good quality baby foods, egg nog, puddings, all have a fair amount of calories. Look at juices in the gro. store. Welches Concord grap juice has 120 cals. per 8 oz. Clamato juice & V-8 juice are good for you if they aren't too spicey. Discovering a variety of things you can tolerate will help keep you interested in eating. Keep going and by the way- the South is still liable to rise again! Amy

Sorry to hear you have been out sick with all those problems.

Start small and work your way up. Small bits too. Drink the meal in the cans, then try scambled eggs, jello,oat meal those easy no spice stuff. Have something every 2 to 3 hours this way it will not be so hard on your mouth. (Small meals)

It will take time, I am sure once your infections get under control it will help.

I too am going through some infection proplems with the fungi. It hurts!

Take care...
Diane

sorry tohear you are having somuch trouble but hopfully things will start going better for you.My husband also had swallowing issues during his treatment and after his mod radicalneck dissection. I found a product on the web developed by a head and neck ca pt and his MD which my husband tol very well. He would mix it with a can of prosure for extra calories. It is called SUPLIMED SUBSTI-MEAL and has 667 cal when mixed with milk and 1000 when mixed with prosure.He said it tasted better than instant breakfast.You can add any fruit to it to. If you call them they will send samples 1-800-223-2610. Good Luck

Hi Gary O

I hope you start to heal soon. Get a juicer and juice up some healthy veggies and fruits. Try eating yogart, porage; wash food down with milk.


I read on your last post you were off to have surgery. Did you have it?

Take care.

I've been using SCANDISHAKES...which are about 600 calories (with whole milk)...they're not too bad. I want to start on some REAL food down the old throat and work my way off the shakes if possible. I will never get the swallowing down just drinking water and liquids. The longer I wait...the longer it's gonna take.

I'm still doing the 'peg' thing but want to get myself off it someday. I know it's going to take some time and maybe even a few more 'dialations' to get there.

I'm thinking among the following to get it going,

1. Soups like Chicken noodle, Tomato, Split peas, or ??
2. Applesauce?
3. Spagetti with some sort of NON chunky sauce
4. Some easy swallowing fruits like peaches, grapfruit, oranges?
5. Not an egg or yogart fan
6. Maybe a good soggy cereal

Open for more ideas....got to do this even if it's difficult.

Easy swallow version of Fettuccine Alfredo: Serves 6- can be reheated.
1 pkg Angel hair pasta[unless you can swallow the flat fettuccine noodles] Biol pasta according to direction on package
While pasta is cooking, put in a large high sided skillet:
1 1\2 sticks butter [12 tablespoons]and melt slowly
when pasta is done, drain and add to skillet
toss pasta and butter
Add 1\2 pint whipping cream [the real stuff] and toss gently till the pasta is coated.
Add 8 oz of fresh Parmigiano or Asiago grated cheese
Add a little nutmeg, salt and perrer[nutmeg optional]
Toss until everything is well coated and smooth.
**Can add more cream if the sauce needs to be soupier to go down.