Well, as of this morning, Mr. ThirtyWhat has lost another three pounds. That, in itself wouldn't be scary ... but I see the changes. We've gone from him snacking off and on all day and eating a full dinner dinner ... even though he might not be able to taste it all ... to him eating next to nothing.
I made hamburgers and rice for dinner last night ... but he simply couldn't swallow the hamburger. He did make a valiant effort to eat some rice ... but that isn't nearly enough nutrition. Then this morning, I scrambled two eggs for him ... and when I left, he'd barely finished one.
This morning, the nutritionist told him we're at a point where we have to start concentrating on soft foods ... mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, smoothies, etc. Plus, I'll need to stop after work and pick up some Ensure or Boost ... because even if he ate a pound of mashed potatoes ... that still wouldn't give him enough protein or vitamins or minerals.
It's too early to feel disheartened ... but I do. He hurts so much ... we can't really laugh like we used to. Before when he was down, I could always get him laughing and pull him out of it ... but now there's just so much more. The fatigue is hard on him ... I just can't imagine what his body is going through. I just remind myself when I'm tired and down and my kidneys are hurting ... that what he's going through has to be ten times worse ... or a hundred times worse ... or a thousand ...
Once you choose hope ... anything is possible. And I do choose hope ... each and every day. I believe he'll beat this ... I believe we'll get through it ...
Tell me, are you locked in the punch?
Andy, are you goofing on Elvis?
Hey baby, are we losing touch?
If you believed they put a man on the moon
Man on the moon
If you believe there's nothing up his sleeve
Then nothing is cool
REM - Man On The Moon
A long time ago, I found this recipe... It's for Alfredo potatos? Horribly horribly fattening, which is why you normally can't eat it, but in this situation, it might work.
ReplyDeleteIngredients
2 large baking potatoes
1 cup prepared Alfredo sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1.Pierce potatoes several times with a fork and place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until tender. Allow potatoes to cool slightly.
2.Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the Alfredo sauce, garlic powder, pepper and thyme. Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp and add to the sauce mixture; mix well. Spoon into potato shells. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.
These people make it fancy and all, but what you could do is just make mashed potatos, get some alfredo sauce (I looove Bertolli's alfredo sauce), mix that in, maybe mix in some garlic powder, some melted cheese.... It's soft mashed potatos, but with some extra fatteners in there :)
Ooooo.... and what about cottage cheese? It's not only soft, but it's also cold :)
ReplyDeleteOMG ... love it! Sounds like something I'd love to try even if all this WERN'T going on ... haha :) Not too hard either ... I think I have all the ingredients (except the Bertolli's which I can pick up on the way home.)
ReplyDeleteTonight's choice is fried rice ... it has steak in it ... but it's cut up very very fine and it's tender ... and of course the rice is soft ... so he thinks he might be able to eat that.
So ... maybe tomorrow night we can do the alfredo potatoes and ... um ... maybe chicken thighs? He likes chicken thighs and if I bake them, the meat's pretty tender ...
Thanks for the recipe, hon ... this sounds perfect!
PS - Got your message ... sounds great ... call him and we'll plan a time to get together ...
PPS - Squeeeeeeeeeeee
I made the alfredo potatos a loooooooooong time ago, so I don't remember if I liked em or not... but I mean, potatos AND alfredo?? It's gotta be heaven!! In Florida, I ate a LOT of mashed potatos.... I think I used Hungry Jack instant mix? It was in a huge red box. I liked em (and you know me and my "love" of instant mashed potatos :P) Often times, I would eat meals that were nothing but the potatos. But I was alwasy mixing stuff in.... Different spices and cheeses and vegetables (okay, well, onions. I don't like veggies :P) and such. That might be a way to have mashed potatos a lot, but feel like you're not eating the same thing over and over. Plus, isn't cheese fattening? I don't remember. I wonder if you could put spaghetti sauce in potatos or if that would taste nasty....
ReplyDeleteppps..... called earlier, talked for about 45 min.... coming over next week for a few days, and he said he'd talk to you about having a relax night w/ Stewie at the house?
pppps.... :) I figured you could use some semi-good news :P Well, not "good" news, but anticipatory squee news.
Recipes
ReplyDeleteWeight-gain Smoothies
The following recipes are from More Smoothies for Life by Daniella Chace (Random House, 2007). For best results, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and purée until smooth. Served chilled.
Peanut Butter Cup
1 cup organic milk
1 cup ice
¼ cup nonfat dry milk or protein powder
1 tablespoon organic flaxseed oil
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter
1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ
Use organic milk or a milk substitute such as rice milk, almond milk, oat milk, or soymilk; whey also works well in smoothies because it dissolves easily, making creamy drinks. It also contains detoxifying agents such as glutathione that help remove metals and environmental chemicals from our bodies. If you are allergic or sensitive to dairy products, however, try one of the alternatives such as soy, rice, or pea protein.
Chai Crème Frappe
1 cup chai tea
1 cup milk
½ cup ice
¼ cup nonfat dried milk
1 tablespoon honey
Nonfat dry milk adds creaminess to recipes and a substantial dose of protein. Each tablespoon adds more than a gram of easily metabolized protein.
http://www.livestrong.com/gaining-weight/
ReplyDeleteI don't know about Ensure, but Boost is nasty. So buy a can at a time, some flavors may be better than others.
ReplyDelete