New to Weight Gain

Hi Everyone-

I have just discovered this and I am hoping for advice and a plan.

I had all my lymph nodes from the right side of my neck removed due to cancer at the base of my tongue.  I had 38 treatments of radiation. My last being 02.29.08.  The treatment knocked out my immune system, tastebuds, saliva glands and presently playing havoc on my teeth. 

I started the process at 170-175 pounds.  My all time low was 119 pounds.  my current weight is 139 after 6 months.

My tastebuds and saliva glands have not returned and make eating very difficult and unpleasant. I drink a lot of shakes with protein, creatine, raw eggs, bananas, milk etc.

I try to eat at least 2 times a day if I remember.  Since I have no saliva, it is almost impossible to swallow meat and breads.  I eat a lot of pasta/sauce as it is 'slippery'.

I have no muscle on my body and I carry a pillow to sit on! I am telling you this in hopes for some insight/advice.  I am going to join a gym to put a little muscle on my frame and try and re-gain some strength.

Any help would be most appreciative.

Thanks,

Bob

 

 

Hi,

I might think you can try some kind of "baby food" like a bevetables soup with beef and chicken boiled inside, then put all on the blender, and eat it, modify the amouth of water until you are satisfied.

Hope it helps.

regards,

Guillermo.

 

Surely, if you've had such extensive medical treatment you've been provided with relevant support services as part of the after-care and rehabilitation programme?  If not, I would go back to your doctor and ask to be referred straight away to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians.  It seems strange that you're just sent home from hospital and expected to cope for yourself with no outside help.

The process happened over a long period of time. The lymph nodes were taken out but the doctors at the VA hospital couldn't find the origin of the cancer.

Because of that, I wouldn't let them treat my whole neck and head. I turned to alternative medicine. After a year the doctors did another biopsy and found it at the base of my tongue. Since they could pinpoint and direct the radiation, I agreed.

The loss of tastebuds,saliva glands,etc. happened slowly over time. The dieticians said to eat high caloric foods and gave me a supply of ensure.

I was hoping for ideas to trigger my appetite, foods I haven't tried, something to make me hungry. Once, someone suggested I smoke pot to trigger my appetite, but for me that is not an option.