Frustrated!

Jamie,

I hear you brother, recovery from H&N is unique.  I did not eat food seriously for 7 months, not because it hurt  but because food felt awful, the texture was unbearable.

I sound like a broken record, but try anything.  Of all things I did consume during my food sabbatical was lots of tomatoes and Olive oil, lots of Olive oil.

I never had high blood pressure, but during treatments that changed and now I take meds for it.

If you are like many of us, things do change for the better, sometimes overnight.

Matt

I bought one of those blender thing a majigs (forget the name) that liquified and heated all at the same time. I would throw all kinds of vegies in and make my own thing. I learned to go easy on the onions they would tend to rule the feast. I also liked milk toast. Heat milk and pour it over buttered toast with pepper to spike the taste buds, naturally no salt because everything tasted salty.

 Unlike Matt I went the opposite. I had high blood pressure before cancer and went off meds during treatment not to mention I no longer have sleep apnea. My surgeon told me once he was done with the overhaul I most likely wouldn't need the sleep apnea machine any more.

      Jeff

phrannie51 said:

No Boost, no milk products....

hmmmm.....yet nutritious and high calorie....my mind is rolling here trying to think of a concoction you can do.  Can you do beans?  Thinking of blending (in a blender), cooked beans, and veggies like onions, carrots, celery, maybe even some diced tomatoes, if you can handle them......along with either vegetable broth or chicken stock for liquid...a blended bean soup.  LOTS of nutrition in beans.....and they pack some calories.  Or you could make your bean soup the way you always do, then blend up with extra chicken stock.  You could do the same with split peas....make the soup, then add stock to liquify it more in the blender. 

p 

Are you using magic mouthwash? If so, try atleast 3 bites before giving something up. Sometimes, it takes me 3 bites before it kicks in. When you take out dairy and sweets you have narrowed my list. I was big on omlets but they had cheese. Pancakes but they were loaded with syrup. Baked potato but loaded w/butter and sour cream. Maybe try chili w/o any spices at all, just hamburger, onion, red beans, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Cream soups have lots of calories but you would be adding dairy back in. 

Jamie, I felt you pain exactly... even trying to swallow on the left side of my throat as the right hurt so bad.

I mentioned the EAS Myoplex shakes I used to blend and drink.  I mixed it with whold milk and it was like 700 calories and about 70 grams of protein.  You mentioned non dairy but if you can handle the milk its a great way to get protein/calories and easy to swallow.   I used to eat bisquits, gravy and eggs (the gravy made it easy), broiled fish, baked potatoes (sweet and regular with lot of butter), steamed carrots, green beans and othre veggies really steamed well so they are really soft and easy to eat.  Greek yogurt, mac and cheese (I know it has dairy).   I used my blender like others and would throw stuff in there and just drink it.  I had a feeding tube but got it out 3 weeks post treatment and it was hard for the first few months for sure.

My taste buds came back at 2-3 months but it hurt like hell to eat for 5 months.    

Good luck,

Keith

CivilMatt said:

I taste your pain

Jamie,

I hear you brother, recovery from H&N is unique.  I did not eat food seriously for 7 months, not because it hurt  but because food felt awful, the texture was unbearable.

I sound like a broken record, but try anything.  Of all things I did consume during my food sabbatical was lots of tomatoes and Olive oil, lots of Olive oil.

I never had high blood pressure, but during treatments that changed and now I take meds for it.

If you are like many of us, things do change for the better, sometimes overnight.

Matt

as have several others.  What you need is calories, and protein.  The calories are best found in fat, the protein can come from a variety of sources.  So, like, start with almond milk as a base, add maybe 1 tbsp of olive oil per 8 ounces of almond milk (or two if you really want to push the calories), protein powder and stir.  What results is a 9 or 10 ounce drink that isn't dairy, has at least 600 calories, and 25 or so grams of protein.  Presto, you've solve the temporary nutrition problem, and better days can catch up to you.

Pat

went 1 year until I could swallow solids...anyway, a product called Scandishake (Amazon) is delicious, and has 600 calories,Instead of milk, I added ice and a little water and blended,  I loved tomato soup with ritz crackers crushed finely, mashed potatoes,gravy,the tiny shrimp went down easy when I mashed them, lobster bisque,....you're only 2 months out, I'd say you're doing fantastic...