Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Taking a slightly askance view, and ignoring the weight loss, what is truly wrong with existing on the appropriate amount of Ensure (or other meal replacement products) for an indefinite period? Perhaps supplemented by fiber.
I know it's not normal not to eat, but in many senses we (even the caregivers) are no longer normal -- I'd be consulting the dietician/nutritionist, because I'd be more concerned about the weight loss consequences than the lack of solid food consequences.
I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but as much as we may dislike Ensure because of it's links to our ordeals, it is quick and efficient, requires no preparation or special storage, and if one can't taste it (or doesn't mind the taste), where's the real harm? The math for daily caloric consumption is easier than typical kitchen caloric math <grin>.
Pete
Age 67 1/2 Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05 Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08 Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08 Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06 Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08) Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08) On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
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