Well I've almost given up on solid foods. Anybody able to survive on a total liquid diet by mouth. I want to be rid of the PEG tube, but am concerned about weather I'll be able to do a total liquid diet.

I've heard of ScandiShake. Can I get sample before buying mass quantities?

Any help would be appreciated!!
Lynn

Hi Lynn,

I had a total glossectomy in July 2003 and just had my trach and feeding tube removed on April 1st. Right now I'm strictly on a liquid diet and even though I've tried some soups consisting of mainly broth they still don't taste good even though I finished radiation 11/03. Plus I would have to consume ALOT of soup to make up my calorie intake for the day! I've even tried soup with small noodles but since I don't have a tongue, the noodles just seem to get lost in my mouth even when I try following it with water. I know I haven't given eating my best shot yet but right now I'm so tired of trying that I'm content on liquids. I have tried the Scandishakes (both strawberry and chocolate) and although I don't believe their website offers any samples to try, I would be happy to send you a sample of what I have here at home. The nice thing about these shakes is that when mixed with 8 oz. of whole milk generates 600 calories! I personally like the strawberry the best.

If you're interested is trying them, just let me know. You can send me an email with your home address and I'll get them off to you as soon as I can.

Take care, Nancy

hi Lynn,

after having my peg removed, i was on an essentially liquid diet for about a year. i ate huge amounts of ice cream. initially i could drink 12 oz of shake type stuff in about 45 minutes. let's just say that i had to make time for eating. i tried to drink water and it took about 4-6 months to go from 45 to 10 minutes to drink a glass.

my diet was just to keep me going... the docs told me to eat anything i could... that translated into about 4 or 5 gallons of ice cream per week. i also used Scandishakes... chocolate.

i got scandishakes in boxes of 6 packets for about $6-7... at the local grocery store.

now i eat fine... and often like to have a chocolate shake with lunch.. it goes so well with a cheeseburger.

cu,
larryb

Lynn,

I came across a chart with exact quantities/recipes for liquid diets using regular food but I can't find it. I will keep looking. Meanwhile, here is a document that gives about the same info. I hope it helps.

http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/PureedDiet.pdf

Ed

Dear Lynn,

I know it's in the archives but this recipe saved Dennis during chemo and rad.

2 cups ice cream
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 package instant breakfast
1 cup whole milk
3 TBS Ovaltine
1 TBS Malted Milk

It has about 1300 calories per serving.

I hope this helps.

Love,
Mandi

Lynn,
I finished radation on April 28, 2003 and have been living on Ensure, malts, soup, poached eggs, and sloppy mashed potates with gravy. I have no salvia or taste. I had cancer of the jaw bone, gum, and lymph nodes on the left side, 4th stage. I can't seem to gain much weight back, I'm under weight. Right now I'm fighting pneumoina since Feb. 7. That doesn't help the weight. Mary Lee

Lynn,
My husband had about half of his tongue and the floor of his mouth removed in Feb. of last year so he has to eat liquid/soft/pureed diet only. His PEG was taken out in November and he is doing great without it. He drinks 6 cans of Ensure daily. We buy the Wal-Mart equivalent of the Ensure Plus (a lot cheaper). He also eats whipped yogurts, pudding, milk shakes and we puree at least one meal a day for him.

Thanks all I knew you would come through. What grocery store can you get the scandishakes at?

Laurie, I just can't seem to get past the thought of pureed food.I tried beef stroganoff pureed, but I couldn't handle it. I pretty sure it's mental.

I appreciate all your help. Leaving town for a few days, I'll check in when I get back.

Lynn

hi Lynn,

Thanks all I knew you would come through. What grocery store can you get the scandishakes at?

Giant Grocery... which was just bought out by Stop&Shop. that was in Salisbury, MD... health food/vitamin isle.

the breakfast shake stuff is also good and widely available. use two packets per shake.

cu,
larryb

Thanks Larry!