HELP WANTED !!!!!

[VICourageous]

This is Really Hard for me to Post out here about this because we ALL have our issues in Life. I almost have a Year in but these are the kind of things in Life that can affect my Sobriety since I am still a Babe in the Womb. I wanted to post it here because this is the Community where it is has a lot of people from all over.
As most of You Know my Mom has been dealing with her return Cancer and goes to Chemo. Well she has been very positive and has been a Trooper about this so far.. BUT today she wants to give up. She has gotten down to 87lbs because she can not put her teeth in and she only has half a tongue. She can not taste anything and everything has to be in liquid or blended. Yes, she drinks lot of protein drinks and shakes. She can only eat soft food so it is very limited.
My Question is...What can she take to help her Gain Weight or get some Energy. What are some of the Foods that we can make up that are soft and can go down just like a baby with no teeth. BUT the hard thing is no or half tongue so it is really hard to eat food. She is so sick of ALL of this and being in pain that it does scare me to death that if we do not put weight on it will be sooner then later. I sure would Love to Hear any feed back regarding this.
I sure hope they do not move this because My own Sobriety is at stake..You know we can run but we can not hide. I know a lot of you have had some worse tragic things in your life as well, so I am no better then anybody else but I do need Support Right Now and I have no were else to Turn..
Thanks!

[Ann2497]

I am sorry you are going thru this.  Can she taste food?  I guess the dr has told you about Ensure?  Does she like milkshakes?  I think milkshakes is a good suggestion.  The Frosty's at Wendy's are very high in calories.  Soft foods that I can think of:  mashed potatoes, creamed corn, cream based soups, ice cream, yogurt.  Just to name a few.

[dominosarah]

My dad had alot of strawberry malts/shakes.  That is loaded with calories!  Do you have a DQ close by?  The Orange Julius are loaded with calories also especially if you get the original as the slush is made with a ton of sugar.  He used to eat Hash..that was roast beef, potatoes and some onion run thru the grater.  It was very soft as he had sores in his mouth.  They do have a tendancy to give up on days.  That is when we kick it in and they live thru us.  Do that recipe thing i told you about.

Now for you.......Your momma's illness is NOT going to be an excuse for you to use.  I know how tough this is but there will come a day when you will look back and be so frickin grateful you stayed clean.  You owe yourself that much.  Time for a meeting girl~

[digger1976]

Hey Vic, sorry about your struggle and your poor mothers. Have you tried the heavy weight gain shakes/drinks from weightlifting stores, you can get some real good ones, there are pretty pricey but they do work. She needs to eat carbs, breads and such, try blending pasta in a heavy sauce or blending a nice bread and butter pudding. That's all I can think off at the moment. I hope this helps in some way Vic. I can't see them removing this as you give so many people help and support on this site! I hope this post finds you and your mother well, love from Dig, ;)

[ariley13]

VIc, I am so sorry that you and your mom are going through this. I think that your mom needs a consult with a nutritionist. Please talk to her doctor about it. When I worked in long term care we used to give a lot of the folks who couldn't maintain weight a shake called TwoCal. You can order it online from medical distribution places. Not sure where else you can find it. It is a very high calorie shake/supplement. Other than that I'm not sure what to tell you. If she can't taste anything, then giving her lots of yummy stuff won't work. Please do talk to her doctor ASAP about this. If you are concerned about anything, please speak up. Maybe the dr. can also suggest something for depression if that continues. That might help her to gain weight too. A lot of times we lose weight if we are depressed. Again I am so sorry that you and your mom are going through this difficult time. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care of yourself too Vic. I know it's easy to lose sight of our health and well being when we are caring for someone else. You need to be in tip top shape in order to give your mom the best care.I am here for you. Please let me know if there is anything at all that I can do for you. Love you my friend.

[kyle505]

Try shakes with protein powder - the kind body builders use. My mom had cancer and that combo helped.
I've written this before - life delivers to your doorstep hundreds of excuses to use every day. Such is life. So, you have to make the choice, but no matter how heartbreaking, an excuse is still an excuse - it's never ever a reason.
K

[FourJays]

Vic,
I am so glad you decided to post about this.  You have been so helpful to so many others; a cheerleader, a teacher (with all the research you have done and shared), and a friend, etc., etc.  Well now YOU are the one who needs the support, and I'm quite sure you will get exactly that.  As you know, reaching out like this is a major step in protecting your sobriety.  Just opening up and talking about it and avoiding isolation is huge.  And I am so sorry about your Mom; I can't imagine the stress and worry you are feeling right now.  She has been so strong and positive up to now; did something happen that caused this change?  As far as getting her some nutrition, I can only suggest the Ensure shakes (and other nutritional drinks), and even regular milkshakes - they might not be high in nutritional value, but may help her to gain some weight with the high calories/fat content.  I just don't know much about this topic.  Hopefully others will be along to offer some other ideas and suggestions.  Just know that no matter what, we are here for you - always.

[VICourageous]

Thanks Gang..So Far I have written down a few things we forgot..I will call the gyms and see what they have.
WE have been to Dr after Dr and Such. They just give her cases of Ensure Complete..She needs something stronger like the Powder that was mentioned above..Just did not see it in the stores that were for the weight gain. We have picked some of the powder up at Walmart but I think the Gym would be good. AND wow we just put on the list to buy the Hash in the Can..Keep it coming we are making a list and checking it twice. THANK YOU ALL..I love u for this and that..
No DQ or Wendys here Yet!

[ariley13]

P.S Vic- Two Cal shakes have 2 calories per ML I believe. So if you give her a couple 16 oz shakes per day that's an extra 2,000 calories on top of what she already is getting! Sorry, I just remembered that.

[VICourageous]

Thanks Ang..We have never heard of that..I will look on Line. She just saw the Chemo Dr 4 days ago and you would think they would give her something other then the Ensure. Maybe it has to do with the money thing and the Medicaid..lol

[Brightfutureahead]

Hi Vi! Just wanted to add...Greek yogurt is tasty and has tons of protein in it! Lots of different varieties.

My mom passed from liver and bone cancer in Dec of 2011...I know what you're going through and have you in my prayers. She would have days like that as well.  If your mom is anything like you, she's very resilient and will keep truckin I'm sure! Remember to take good care of yourself too...

[ariley13]

Oh, and maybe ask the dr. about Maranol (spelling?). It's basically Marijuana in a pill or liquid form. Very concentrated THC. They prescribe it to increase appetite in cancer and AIDS patients and it really helps. It obviously has side effects, same as Marijuana, but hey, if it helps her gain some weight it might be worth it. Sorry, stuff just keeps popping into my head!

[FourJays]

My dad was prescribed the same thing - the Maranol.  It did help to increase his appetite.  Great idea Ang!

[ricart70]

Vic You have been given great advice by all of the great people up above me here. I just wanted to lend you support and also say that my heart goes out to you here. I am not going through this right now but the day will come and I often think about what I am going to do when it does. My parents are getting up there and my mom does not take care of herself and has emphysema and copd and still smokes. So maybe you will be able to give me advice on it someday .
   About you though.....You,while you say you are no better than anyone else you are at least as good as anyone else !!    Do not sell yourself short or demean yourself ! You have a hard earned basically year of clean time and that first year brings a lot of experience.  Just please continue to reach out when you need anything  . We love you !!  We can't help but not too .you are so kind  ;)))
  

[Andie015]

Hi girlfriend!!  I'm so sorry to read this, it genuinely hurts my heart to know you and your poor mother are going through this. I have to honestly say that I haven't had experience with this so I can't give you any real help but what I can say is the last poster had the right idea I realize as people in recovery we shouldn't say this but marijuana is a very good idea for someone looking to put on weight and consume calories. There is a reason that the very famous and revered Dr. Sanjay Gupta had now turned around and is in support of medical Mary Jane... That's because it has a true medical purpose, and your mothers situation is it...this is not at all to put your sobriety in jeopardy but to help your sweet mother. She deserves to be comfortable in a time like this, and that might just help her. She is a wonderful woman who raised a wonderful daughter...an incredibly sweet and supportive soul who needs some comfort herself during this time....whatever helps her, please be open to. You can handle this, you are so strong and a  total inspiration to all of us here!!!  Your mother did an awesome job and I'm sure is just as awesome as you are...where else would you learn that from?  Help her....no matter what she needs...help her, I know you will....

[toothfairie]

Hey Vic..you know you and your mom have my prayers for sure.....i would try some mac n cheese....one of my favs and it's full of calories....i do the protein shakes too...lots of protein in the power...just mix it with milk or juices...what ever she likes....hope she gets feeling better, that way i know you will too...my heart goes out to you girl...i've been there myself....I know you are doing the best to stay strong for her....take care of yourself too Vic...

[SmilingBright]

Hey Vic.  I'm so sorry to hear about what you and your mom are going through my sweet sweet Vic.   Only thing I would suggest is maybe spoonful of creamy peanut butter.  I just had braces put on few weeks ago and couldn't eat for several days.  But figured out really fast that I could basically eat spoonful of peanut butter without using my teeth.  Might sound silly.   But worth a try.  Praying for you guys.  I respect you so much Vic.  Love you

[BarbRTR]

I have to be on liquid diets during flair ups because my stomach is so messed up. Getting calories is hard.

I do drink Muscle Milk, but what also helps my energy is making a smoothie out of 14 strawberries, 2 bananas, an avacado, ( blends beautifully and doesn't mess up the flavor), a couple spoonfuls of natural honey, liquid vitamins, and of course some ice. Throw it all in the blender for a minute. Delicious. Sometimes I add peaches, pretty much experiment with different fruits.

You and your Mom are in my thoughts and prayers.

[waterview4326]

    I am so sorry for what you and your mother are dealing with. My mother was a tiny woman and I took care of her like you. I so know how you feel about all the Dr's handed  us was Ensure. I will say my mother's GP gave her a liquid appetite medicane, I don't remember the name it was many years ago. However it was like in an eye dropper and I would give it to her and an hour later she was hungry. When she got hungry it was hash she LOVED, the kind in the can, I know someone else mentioned that. Another thing was grits on the stove, also she LOVED packaged mashed potatoes.

   You have been such an inspiration to me. When I first came here you and FourJays helped me so much. I just wanted you to know I have been there I know how hard this is. Your mother is so lucky to have you and you being sober is the greatest gift you can give her. You are present and fully aware of her needs and if you were still on pills you would not be.

   Please always reach out you can PM me anytime, I took care of both my parent's. You have to take care of you in order to take care of her, you know? She did raise a wonderful girl and I know she is in good hands because I know from your posts how wonderful and caring you are.

[VICourageous]

WOW!!!!! We Both are just Amazed on what we have gotten so far. Lots of things we forgot about.

Thanks for the PM Dig and the research you did..I will check out those 2 that you and Ang mentioned.
And a drop of medicine that will make her Hungry?? What is up with the DRs..I got more info out in then I have gotten in over 5years regrading this. Also the tips I got on here to put in the blender to give it more calories. I am so Blessed to have YOU ALL out here. Also looked up the things we can put in the Orange Julius..
I can not even express my feeling toward you all right now..lol

[VICourageous]

This Is Vickie's MOM (Elsie)
Thanks for all the HELP. I really appreciate it.
I am going to beat this Yet!

Thanks
EW

[ROSYouralright]

I'm so sorry to hear this Vic... I'm glad you are posting and it looks like you got some great advice... You are in my thoughts and prayers and I'm here if you need to talk..,love you girl!

[ariley13]

Elsie, you take good care of yourself and that wonderful daughter of yours! You are in our thoughts and prayers.

[toothfairie]

we love Vic!!  and we know you will beat this Miss Elsie!!  we are all here for you both!!