ooohh I need to be VERY clear about the steroids. I am talking about medically prescribed and monitored steroids - not buying online or black market stuff and DEFINITELY not at the doses used and abused by body builders and atheletes.

The therapeutic dose recommended to us is 1/8 to 1/16th of the dose commonly abused and is a short term course (8 weeks + 8 weeks) under the care of a specialist. The use of steroids to assist recovery in wasted patients (patients with severe weight loss) is a legitimate use and has been trialled in patients with HIV, on dialysis and with cancer (though not oral). In this setting, adverse effects are minimal and we believe (as does the doctor)the benefits outweigh the risks.

Thanks Anita for sharing your own experiences - I know I am a bit impatient and your time frames remind me to slow down a bit. Unfortunately, my Alex rejects puree on principle (an admission of illness)and solid food seems to cause nausea and vomiting. This concerns me a great deal as it suggests there is some failure of his digestive tract that may relate to 9 months of liquid only diet (2000 calories administered overnight pumped through his PEG). He is able to chew and swallow many things with a great gulp of water, but he doesn't want to and 3 mouthsful seem to be his limit. Hoping an increase in appetite (side effect of steroids) and an improvement in taste (side effect of steroids) may stimulate him to try 4 mouthsful and then 5 ....

Also, whilst I might be the world's greatest supporter of Alex as well as his worst critic, I am equally the world's worst and most unmotivated cook. Cookbooks are used to prop the computer monitor up aren't they?