Eating in general

Josie60
Josie60 Member Posts: 80
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Ok while not an old pro I’ve been dealing with eating conundrums. Ive had the esophgetcomy Can someone give me an idea how much I should be able to eat at a sitting after 4 months? For example to night I was able to get down maybe an oz of meat, a few tablespoons of mashed potatoes and a few bites of fresh fruit. (I’m in the hospital right now getting IVs and nutrients after my 5fu infusion which knocked me down for the weekend.
If at home I can piece more but I always feel like the main meals I barely eat. Suggestions?
I am female right now maybe 155 lbs

Comments

  • JanBred
    JanBred Member Posts: 42
    #2
    My eating after 3 months....
    What works best for me is eating crunchy foods. Like cheese and crackers, popcorn, soups with crackers. I drink Apple or Grape juice (100%) So, I ate a bowl of veg. soup with crackers, swiss cheese and crackers, pasta salad with melba toast. Try toasted bagels with butter/peanut butter. I don't do mashed potatoes too good right now. Crunchy fish works well too. Good Luck. Jan
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #3
    After only four months meals should be small
    Josie,

    After only four months I would expect that a typical meal for you should include 2 oz of meat and about a cup of vegetable and some cottage cheese or fruit, with about 4 ozs to drink (in sips while eating to help wash things down).

    Since I had my surgery I don't really think in terms of a "main meal". I think in terms of eating small amounts 7 or 8 times a day with time for hydration in between. Here would be my recommended menu for you at this time. (Of course check it with your nutritionist)

    8:00 AM 1 egg scrambled with half a English muffin with peanut butter
    10:00 AM 4 oz of V8 juice
    12:00 PM 1/2 sandwich with ham and cheese with 4 oz of juice or tea
    2:00 PM 1 package of crackers with cheese (six crackers in package)
    3:00 PM Drink 8 oz of your favorite beverage
    4:00 PM 8 oz high calorie shake (see recipe below)
    It should take 1/2 half hour to drink the shake
    6:00 PM 2 oz of protein (chicken) 1 cup of vegetable and fruit
    7:00 PM Drink 8 oz of your favorite beverage
    8:00 PM 1 apple pealed and sliced into sections
    9:00 PM 1 cup of frozen yogurt

    Assumes a 11:30 or 12:00 O clock bedtime


    Recipe for high calorie shake:
    4 large frozen strawberries
    1 banana
    2 Teaspoons of Barley Life protein powder
    1 tablespoon of chia seeds
    5 ice cubes
    Blend thoroughly

    You will note there is not much at any one time but eating frequently will give you the calories you need. I know chemotherapy makes it difficult to eat as well so some days you may not be able to eat as much or as often and you should but just try to do your best.

    Since my surgery I a never hungry so I have to eat by the clock. The menu I follow almost three years out is similar with the exception that I now eat about 4 ozs of protein and 2 cups of vegetables or fruit at dinner and a full sandwich at lunch.

    Of course you need to substitute things you like for my menu example. I am just trying to suggest volume and frequency.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • Josie60
    Josie60 Member Posts: 80
    #4
    paul61 said:

    After only four months meals should be small
    Josie,

    After only four months I would expect that a typical meal for you should include 2 oz of meat and about a cup of vegetable and some cottage cheese or fruit, with about 4 ozs to drink (in sips while eating to help wash things down).

    Since I had my surgery I don't really think in terms of a "main meal". I think in terms of eating small amounts 7 or 8 times a day with time for hydration in between. Here would be my recommended menu for you at this time. (Of course check it with your nutritionist)

    8:00 AM 1 egg scrambled with half a English muffin with peanut butter
    10:00 AM 4 oz of V8 juice
    12:00 PM 1/2 sandwich with ham and cheese with 4 oz of juice or tea
    2:00 PM 1 package of crackers with cheese (six crackers in package)
    3:00 PM Drink 8 oz of your favorite beverage
    4:00 PM 8 oz high calorie shake (see recipe below)
    It should take 1/2 half hour to drink the shake
    6:00 PM 2 oz of protein (chicken) 1 cup of vegetable and fruit
    7:00 PM Drink 8 oz of your favorite beverage
    8:00 PM 1 apple pealed and sliced into sections
    9:00 PM 1 cup of frozen yogurt

    Assumes a 11:30 or 12:00 O clock bedtime


    Recipe for high calorie shake:
    4 large frozen strawberries
    1 banana
    2 Teaspoons of Barley Life protein powder
    1 tablespoon of chia seeds
    5 ice cubes
    Blend thoroughly

    You will note there is not much at any one time but eating frequently will give you the calories you need. I know chemotherapy makes it difficult to eat as well so some days you may not be able to eat as much or as often and you should but just try to do your best.

    Since my surgery I a never hungry so I have to eat by the clock. The menu I follow almost three years out is similar with the exception that I now eat about 4 ozs of protein and 2 cups of vegetables or fruit at dinner and a full sandwich at lunch.

    Of course you need to substitute things you like for my menu example. I am just trying to suggest volume and frequency.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Thanks Paul
    That helps. When home i try to eat evey couple hours. And was holding my own. i can get maybe an oz or two of meat and a few tablespoons of veggies. Plus the snacks i eat.Right now since I had a flare up in lymph nodes and restarted chemo, I am in the hospital with dehydration and some blood chemical imbalances. Tthe doctor is very concerned I am not getting enough calories ( like you can in a hospital on their 3 meals.). He is starting to talk about installing a j tube again. I'm considering it.
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #5
    Josie60 said:

    Thanks Paul
    That helps. When home i try to eat evey couple hours. And was holding my own. i can get maybe an oz or two of meat and a few tablespoons of veggies. Plus the snacks i eat.Right now since I had a flare up in lymph nodes and restarted chemo, I am in the hospital with dehydration and some blood chemical imbalances. Tthe doctor is very concerned I am not getting enough calories ( like you can in a hospital on their 3 meals.). He is starting to talk about installing a j tube again. I'm considering it.

    A J-tube may be a good idea
    Josie,

    I had a j-tube installed along with my Ivor Lewis surgery. After my surgery I was in a big hurry to get rid of it because it kept getting caught on my clothes and was a bit of a hassle; I thought. I was eating fairly well prior to beginning chemo, (I had post surgery chemo for 5 months), so I thought I did not need it anymore.

    Then I began chemo; and I kind of wished I had kept the j-tube. Not just for the ease of getting calories when I did not feel like eating because of the nausea from chemo, but for hydration. I had a terrible time getting enough fluid down to keep hydrated. My oncologist and I worked out a schedule that I would come in the office three days after each infusion for IV hydration. I think if I had kept my j-tube I could have remained hydrated without the IV's. So, as I said, if I had it to do over again I would have kept the j-tube.

    I hope you are feeling better soon.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • chihuahua5
    chihuahua5 Member Posts: 17
    #6
    paul61 said:

    After only four months meals should be small
    Josie,

    After only four months I would expect that a typical meal for you should include 2 oz of meat and about a cup of vegetable and some cottage cheese or fruit, with about 4 ozs to drink (in sips while eating to help wash things down).

    Since I had my surgery I don't really think in terms of a "main meal". I think in terms of eating small amounts 7 or 8 times a day with time for hydration in between. Here would be my recommended menu for you at this time. (Of course check it with your nutritionist)

    8:00 AM 1 egg scrambled with half a English muffin with peanut butter
    10:00 AM 4 oz of V8 juice
    12:00 PM 1/2 sandwich with ham and cheese with 4 oz of juice or tea
    2:00 PM 1 package of crackers with cheese (six crackers in package)
    3:00 PM Drink 8 oz of your favorite beverage
    4:00 PM 8 oz high calorie shake (see recipe below)
    It should take 1/2 half hour to drink the shake
    6:00 PM 2 oz of protein (chicken) 1 cup of vegetable and fruit
    7:00 PM Drink 8 oz of your favorite beverage
    8:00 PM 1 apple pealed and sliced into sections
    9:00 PM 1 cup of frozen yogurt

    Assumes a 11:30 or 12:00 O clock bedtime


    Recipe for high calorie shake:
    4 large frozen strawberries
    1 banana
    2 Teaspoons of Barley Life protein powder
    1 tablespoon of chia seeds
    5 ice cubes
    Blend thoroughly

    You will note there is not much at any one time but eating frequently will give you the calories you need. I know chemotherapy makes it difficult to eat as well so some days you may not be able to eat as much or as often and you should but just try to do your best.

    Since my surgery I a never hungry so I have to eat by the clock. The menu I follow almost three years out is similar with the exception that I now eat about 4 ozs of protein and 2 cups of vegetables or fruit at dinner and a full sandwich at lunch.

    Of course you need to substitute things you like for my menu example. I am just trying to suggest volume and frequency.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Paul's Diet
    Hi Paul,

    I notice you didn't talk about water intake. Do you drink water between meals or later in the evening? I drink water until about 1/2 hour before I go to bed. Is that a bad idea?

    JoAnn
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #7
    chihuahua5 said:

    Paul's Diet
    Hi Paul,

    I notice you didn't talk about water intake. Do you drink water between meals or later in the evening? I drink water until about 1/2 hour before I go to bed. Is that a bad idea?

    JoAnn

    I try to drink water in small amounts all during the day
    JoAnn,

    I do include some liquid intake in my sample menu at 10 AM, 3 PM and 7 PM (always at least an hour after eating), but I also keep some bottled water with me almost all the time (even when driving in the car). I drink small sips whenever I feel the need and that helps me stay hydrated. I do not eat much or drink very much for about an hour and a half before I go to bed because having even water in my stomaphagus makes me uncomfortable when I lie in bed.

    Paul

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • BMGky
    BMGky Member Posts: 621
    #8
    paul61 said:

    I try to drink water in small amounts all during the day
    JoAnn,

    I do include some liquid intake in my sample menu at 10 AM, 3 PM and 7 PM (always at least an hour after eating), but I also keep some bottled water with me almost all the time (even when driving in the car). I drink small sips whenever I feel the need and that helps me stay hydrated. I do not eat much or drink very much for about an hour and a half before I go to bed because having even water in my stomaphagus makes me uncomfortable when I lie in bed.

    Paul

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Your posts are so helpful.
    Your posts are so helpful. Bill just does not get enough water. I just read this to him. Hopefully, we will balance his liquid intake better. He's doing great; yet, he still has trouble with not gauging how much he is eating or else mixing textures. Then, his stomasaphagus really acts up. Thanks again. BMGky
  • tcaba
    tcaba Member Posts: 41
    #9
    Me
    I was not able to eat much for months after my esophogetomy. Small meals, like half to three quarters
    Of a cup. As time passed, it has one year eleven months and twenty days since surgery I now find that I can eat pretty my the same as I did the summer before diagnosis. I still have to be careful as the stomach can fill up before I know and then it becomes quite painful. Just remember Small bites, Chew thoroughly, sips of liquid and Don't be in a hurry.

    GudLuk

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