| Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 21 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 21 | I've decided to at least switch to Boost UHC, it has 560 cals with 14g of sugar, which is less than half the ratio of sugar/calories of Ensure Plus.
Joe SCC BOT T3N0 Aged 36 (1999) Unknown HPV status (before they knew) SWOG Protocol - 2 rounds chemo, 6 weeks radiation Recurrence Age 50 (2013) - same site SCCa BOT T2N0M0 HPV negative 60% Glossectomy/Free Flap from Latissimus Dorsi Recon, Neck Dissection + 6wks Rad Tx Non-tobacco user
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | The VHC can be a bit thick. I know it is alot thicker than regular liquid nutrition drinks.
If using it in a feeding tube you may need to water it down a little. Make sure to flush extra good afterward a feeding to keep the tube clean.
PS... If you order it thru the Amazon link on the main OCF forum page, then OCF gets a small kickback. Please click on the green Amazon box prior to shopping for anything on Amazon. Thank you!!! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Try making a fresh protein shake daily - once or twice. A lot of the plant based proteins have stevia not sugar so it has a minimal effect on blood sugar and it's natural. Just make sure it's well blended (no lumps) and if it's too thick add water to thin it out. You can either take it all by mouth and use glucerna or ensure by peg or just make your own and use it for everything . A good blender will help make it a fast process. Hugs!
Last edited by Cheryld; 03-14-2014 08:04 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,293 Likes: 1 | [quote]A good blender will help make it a fast process[/quote]Protein powder shakes are SO easy. Just put powder into shaker cup, add some milk, and several ice cubes. Cap on and shake and go about your business. No muss, no fuss. Just rinse cup when done!
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 21 Member | OP Member Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 21 | [quote=ChristineB] PS... If you order it thru the Amazon link on the main OCF forum page, then OCF gets a small kickback. Please click on the green Amazon box prior to shopping for anything on Amazon. Thank you!!! [/quote] That's really good to know Christine, I'll definitely do it that way from here on, might actually add up  Thanks.
Joe SCC BOT T3N0 Aged 36 (1999) Unknown HPV status (before they knew) SWOG Protocol - 2 rounds chemo, 6 weeks radiation Recurrence Age 50 (2013) - same site SCCa BOT T2N0M0 HPV negative 60% Glossectomy/Free Flap from Latissimus Dorsi Recon, Neck Dissection + 6wks Rad Tx Non-tobacco user
| | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 Member | Member Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 | I was on 7 Ensure Pluses a day for months, but I couldn't do it. Every can would make me nauseous. I couldn't do more than 5 or 6 cans. Eventually, I started using a Kangaroo pump to slowly put the formula in me, but I hated being tethered to a pump. I was losing weight. Boost made me even more nauseous. But then a friend gave me their old Vitamix blender. I started blending up regular meals, whatever my family was eating. I could tolerate MUCH higher volumes of food. If you're going to be using a PEG longterm and if you can get a high-end blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix (they often offer medical discounts) then I highly recommend a blended diet. There are also pre-made blended meals you can purchase like Real Food Blends or Liquid Hope. PM me for more information.
Question: I just mentioned Vitamix, Blendtec, Real Food Blends and Liquid Hope on here, but I don't think I'm supposed to advertise somebody else's product on this forum, right? Please don't kick me off if I've done wrong!! :-)
Brian Liebenow, Stage 2 NHL survivor (left tonsil), I eat everything through a PEG tube. http://travelingtubie.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-i-tubie.html11/03 - started CHOP chemo 12/03 - remission 1/04 - finished chemo 4/04 - started 25 rads to make sure they got all the cancer 5/04 - stopped rads after 20 due to severe reaction to radiation 5/05 - began seeing damaging effects of radiation 7/08 - PEG 4/09 - 5th unsuccessful jaw surgery Smile!! Laughter is the best medicine!
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Brian, relax!!!
If you are the owner or a representative from a company whose product you are touting then that is against the OCF rules. We do not allow any advertizing like that. We do allow peer to peer recommendations. If something worked for you, its perfectly okay and encouraged to pass that info along to newer members.
There are hundreds of different kinds of formula on the market. Most are not available over the counter, you can only get them with a prescription. A medical supply company will deliver it monthly.
There is even help for those who struggle with the high cost of prescription formulas. The Oley Foundation has a patient matching section where they will match patients who have leftover formula and accessories with patients who need items. The person who needs the items only pays for S&H. Last time I used their service it was only $16 per case.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 Member | Member Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 | Whew! Thank you, Christine. :-)
Brian Liebenow, Stage 2 NHL survivor (left tonsil), I eat everything through a PEG tube. http://travelingtubie.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-i-tubie.html11/03 - started CHOP chemo 12/03 - remission 1/04 - finished chemo 4/04 - started 25 rads to make sure they got all the cancer 5/04 - stopped rads after 20 due to severe reaction to radiation 5/05 - began seeing damaging effects of radiation 7/08 - PEG 4/09 - 5th unsuccessful jaw surgery Smile!! Laughter is the best medicine!
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