On Sep 27, 12:21 pm, "jmcquown" <jmcqu...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Janet B. wrote:
> > "Karen" <ksoa...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:1190911861.196792.146790@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> >> On Sep 27, 7:42 am, "The Joneses" <famjo...@swbell.net> wrote:
> > snip
>
> >> Jill... I thought soup would be what my friend, who was terminally
> >> ill and I was helping to take care of her, would like and it just
> >> didn't go over well at all. It was very distressing to me. I am just
> >> mentioning that so you don't get your feelings hurt. It was
> >> surprising to find out what was enjoyed and successful. One day it
> >> was ice chips, or frozen juice chips, the next it was cheese souffle
> >> or spaghetti.
> > snip
> >> Karen
>
> > Very typical. Also, meals (food) is not necessarily at meal times
> > and you may find that food is needed right now, not in an hour when
> > dinner is ready. Janet
>
> Just got back from visiting him. He's still in ICU but they're moving him
> to the "step down" unit later today. He ate turkey & dressing for lunch.
> Apparently surgery hasn't affected his appetite.
>
> Jill

Sounds like he's doing very well - he's lucky to have someone looking
out for him during this tough time. I'll second those who've
suggested that his appetite and tastes may take a bit of a
rollercoaster ride during the next few months. From my own experience
with radiation a few years back and recent big time surgery, I can
tell you that both times my taste buds went south along with my
ability to digest previously acceptable foods. Aromas and flavors
that I usually adore - garlic & herbs for example - were just
nauseating. DH did his very best to pique my appetite, and I'm afraid
I hurt his feelings a few times by rejecting his efforts.

We finally realized that there were only a few foods I was
consistently able to eat...this became my basic menu - sounds boring
to a foodie, but it was all that appealed when the going was rough. I
didn't always eat it all, but I could always manage to eat (and keep
down) at least some of it and in a pinch, I could make it myself.

Breakfast: Poached egg on lightly buttered toast and a little apple
juice.

Lunch: Half a sandwich & and a ramekin of vegetable soup was about all
I could take for lunch. DH would roast a turkey breast and slice
thinly for simple, easy sandwiches. Half a sandwich & and a ramekin of
vegetable soup was about all I could handle.

Dinner: Chicken breast (pounded thin) or Orange Roughy lightly dredged
in flour and sauteed in a bit of EVOO served w/ a squeeze of lemon,
real mashed potatoes, and canned (go figure) Blue Lake Green Beans.

Snacks: Unsalted water crackers w/thin slices of very sharp Cheddar
or cherry jello w/ half a sliced banana.

Fall back when all else failed - Saltines and Ginger ale. I also found
that if I ate a couple of Saltines before & after radiation, I had an
easier time of it.

DH learned to serve me small portions - it was better for my morale to
clean my plate and maybe even ask for more, than to face an
"insurmountable" pile of food on the days when just picking up a fork
was an effort.

I'm grateful to have recovered completely and am back to savoring the
wonders of food(and life) again - am wishing your brother the same
blessings.

Nancy T