John was able to keep his weight stable all through Tx. Now that he is into the fourth week post Tx, he is losing weight -- five lbs last week, 1lb from Friday to Monday over this past weekend -- despite taking in the same amount of formula -- 61/2 cans of Nutren 1.5 a day. He is still just able to take small sips of water by mouth and not much else because of the ropey saliva. I really need some advice on what I can do to keep his weight stable.

The weight issue will continue to be something to keep a close eye on. For at least the first year post tx, calories need to still be very high, same with hydration. After what a body goes thru fighting cancer and trying to recover 2500 calories a day are nothing.

During my recovery I would drink 2 or 3 chocolate peanut butter milkshakes a day. Some days I would take in over 7000 calories, doing this a few days a week I still didnt gain an ounce. Goes to show just how recovery burns up those calories so quickly.

If John is losing weight then up his calories to 3500 per day. By losing weight it will negatively impact his recovery, making it more difficult.

If you would like my chocolate peanut butter milkshake recipe let me know.

Jeff went through the same thing a few weeks after treatment. Even though he was taken more than recommended calories he was dropping overnight drastically. I think his body was needing so much more calories to heal. I started getting some real food in him that I blended up. Carrots that I juiced and added some veggies like spinach and avocado, fruit and scrambled eggs and high protein powder. Sometimes it was slow going in and when he did feel like taking it I stood there and poured it in.

I made him weigh first thing every morning to know how hard I had to push that day.

One option would be to add a couple extra cans of Nutren a day to eight or nine cans a day since he's on the PEG. The other option would be to make a high calorie shake in a good blender or a Vitamix with flax seed oil etc. But it needs to be very well blended to go down the tube. My vitamix blends down an entire dinner with some extra water.
While they are "empty" calories, a glass of wine down the tube helped me stabilize my weight. I was plesantly surprised when my RO switched my breakout pain pills from Percocet to hydromorphone just so I could continue my dinner ritual of wine (he was worried about the tylenol)
Charm

Your weight can also fluctuate throughout the day, even by 5 lbs. It should be done at the same time daily, preferably in the morning before breakfast, and on the same scale, to get a more accurate measurement. Also, olive oil or any other oil can be added for more calories, 1Tbs 120 cal. 14g fat, to any drink.

[quote=terrib]Jeff went through the same thing a few weeks after treatment. Even though he was taken more than recommended calories he was dropping overnight drastically. I think his body was needing so much more calories to heal. I started getting some real food in him that I blended up. Carrots that I juiced and added some veggies like spinach and avocado, fruit and scrambled eggs and high protein powder. Sometimes it was slow going in and when he did feel like taking it I stood there and poured it in.

I made him weigh first thing every morning to know how hard I had to push that day. [/quote]

terrib, did this go into his PEG tube or did he drink this by mouth?

Yes, into the tube. I was determined to keep his weight up. He lost 25 pounds at his worst even with the tube so I really pushed him to take in nutrients through the tube. He was unable to eat for 2 1/2 months because food tasted rancid or spoiled to him and he would gag if he tried anything, even a few Cherrios of canned peach. Thankfully he did not lose his ability to swallow and is back to eating everything.