Hi Barb--how did the second chemo go? How are you holding up?

I went through about 6-8 weeks where I had zero appetite and zero interest in consuming anything, whether it be boost or "real food"; everything tasted bad except for vanilla boost, and solids were like chewing so much kleenex--would literally gag me. During this period my intake dropped and I lost probably 30 lbs. Some days I could only gag down one boost. I pushed myself as best I could but emotionally I was not in a good place and everything was hard. The antidepressant helped, as did the end of the rad tx's. I came really close to getting a feeding tube, which I very much wanted to avoid, and being told I would get one at the next appt if I lost more weight also motivated me. I sort of buckled down at that point, and along with being in a better mood and being somewhat more optimistic (by that point a little bit of taste was beginning to come back--that really helps). Anyhow, things had evolved and it was easier to keep up my intake. However, I still have to work at it, as although I am more interested in food now (wishing I could eat my favorite foods again, though I can't bec they burn my tongue, are dry, etc), the severe dry mouth really gets in the way, so I am still relying on Boost for 90% of my calories. I am trying foods most days, seeing what works now and what doesn't. Grapes work, though not perfectly, as does lettuce and green beans, just bec they all are juicy and work with the dry mouth.

The point I am trying to make is that there will be times where what you need to do, be it intake or mouth exercises or getting up and moving, is difficult and the last thing you want to do. We just have to power through it a best we can, holding on for the time when tx's are in the past and you are in recovery mode, and functions begin to come back, mucous thins and no longer gags you (that thick, sticky mucous is a real contributor to "not wanting to eat" for many; it gags you, causes nausea and retching, tastes terrible, etc). So keep telling yourself that chances are what you are experiencing is temporary, and you can wait it out. Hang in there, and I hope the holidays are as happy as they can be (they will be better next year).