I have been lurking here for many days (and a few all nighters) reading thousands of threads. I finished the chemo and radiation in July 2015 and I feel as though i have gotten through the " tunnel". I have learned so, so much by sitting here reading. i have laughed and cried while reading many of these posts and felt so close to everyone. I am missing some of the old timers such a Charm, Gabe, and EZjim, I felt as though I knew them and would look forward to their next post. I am so fortunate to have my incredible husband of 42 years by my side through all of this as well as 3 grown children who have been amazing. I am still using my gtube for feeding but just yesterday had a modified barium swallow test and passed so we celebrated by going out to eat. The soup was heaven after over a year of only ice water by mouth. I am experiencing a boat load of trouble with kidney stones now and wondering if they are caused by the liquid nutrition I have been on or to much protein ? ? I will move to one of the threads to explain more. I just want to thank you all for your help and guidance through these troubling times and hope that we can all share together. One of my biggest wishes is that i will be able to help someone else down this road.

Welcome to OCF! Its always great having another survivor join our ranks. Im sure your experiences will be of help to our members who are going thru treatments.

The 3 members you mentioned were dear friends of mine. I still miss them (and several others) very much. Charm, EzJim and Gabe all passed away well before their time. Their posts will continue to live on giving support to others who seek their wisdom.

Have you asked your doctors about the relation of your kidney problems to the chemo? One member comes to mind Paul, he ran into kidney failure. Hopefully he will see this and give his input soon.

Best wishes with your continued recovery.

Welcome, Jo! I just saw this after making a response on the one for kidney stone. I was writing here too, but my work was deleted after my iPad battery died out, but was pretty much the same info. Congratulations on passing the modified barium swallow!

Thank you for the warm welcome. Wish we ALL didn't have to be here. Christine I have to admit that while reading post for weeks I got tired of hearing from you about how important nutrition is for all of us. But you were so, so right, I now know it is the very most important thing you can do for yourself. I will be making your magic shake (without the whey protein powder until i get the ok from the Doctor) and work on getting one down a day along with my regular liquid nutrition in the G tube. Keep preaching, you know we need it and thank you for being here to help us along !

Is the small support from Amazon just for the Vitamix purchase or can we go through OCF for anything we order on Amazon ? I order a lot on Amazon so I would like to go through here if it helps.

Still working on the kidney stone issues. I will be seeing a nephrologist soon.

I do sound like a broken record, don't I? Thank you for reading thru posts! That will help make you a strong advocate.

By clicking on the Amazon box, prior to shopping on Amazon it will give OCF a small kick back for any purchase. Its not much, I think its up to 7% of the purchase goes to OCF. With lots of OCF members who shop on Amazon using the link it adds up to help cover some of the office utility bills every month. Some people bookmark the link and go back to click on it when they shop at Amazon. I always come back to the forum and click on the OCF's Amazon box then I shop Amazon.

As far as the Vitamix goes, to order call the OCF office at 1.949.723.4400. By purchasing it thru OCF, it helps to fund our medical needs program for needy OC patients. Some patients have permanent significant eating problems after having OC. Many also face financial hardship making owning a Vitamix blender a luxury they can only dream of owning. OCF helps those who are both financially and medically needy get a Vitamix blender to help give them a way to have better nutrition.

Keep us posted on your updates. Im interested in hearing is the stones are related. Best wishes!

AWESOME Jo! Congratulations on your celebration and keep experimenting and having the same good fortune! Praying you get the kidney stones addressed and worked out! All my Best. Steve