Just when we are starting to figure how how much to eat, how much to drink, chemo starts. Talk about a monkey wrench. One of the chemo drugs requires 12-14 glasses of water a day. Guess what, our first weekend was the pitts... we went to the ER twice, and ended up paying $500 for 4 litres of saline! Don't ya think that is silly? My parents say we need home heath care and we're waiting for the triage nurse to call us back since Dr V's right hand Ms O said we had to talk to the t-nurse. Waiting. Waiting. That has to be one of the hardest parts... all the waiting rooms, waiting for the doc in the exam rooms, chemo, and phone calls. We really need to get stable because radiation is forthcoming in 10 days and that's gonna be a new challenge. Olympics here we go and "LIVESTRONG". I watched the Tour de France, and remember Lance with my yellow band.
The second week is passable... too much "heartburn" though Dr V said he shouldn't have nausea.... Ha! Gotta have a good sense of humor!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Support groups
http://www.medhelp.org/ I just signed up... maybe I'll find others that have same issues and can get some support. Beth, our Cigna case manager has been great. I'm finding that every doctor/nurse has their own speciality and everyone has a different opinion. I guess we just have to figure out what works for the collective "us" as I am the primary caregiver/sounding board. I ddn't realize this is a full time job and Walgreens is two miles away and that seems too far!
We are no longer with Cigna, the company switched to United Health. We have not found that much support. I hope we will find people to chat with online!
We are no longer with Cigna, the company switched to United Health. We have not found that much support. I hope we will find people to chat with online!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
"Have Fun Eating, eat what you want" says Dr.B.
Everyone keeps telling us something different. Dr. B says eat what you want, everyone is different and can tolerate different things. I guess 8 oz. at a time is a good starting point. Eat slowly, and its better to alternate eating and drinking. If you want alfredo, then eat it!
30 Degree Beds Mandatory
We researched beds, and found adjustable beds for a good price of $2,700!!! Then we found a bed at Ikea that you can manually set a head at an incline... for about 100, then you need the frame and mattress. We got the 2" pillow top mattress and still needed more padding. It turns out, we didn't buy the mattress... buy it also, LOL!!!
JC Penney's had 1.5 inch foam toppers for 100, Walmart had a latex foam 1.5 inch topper for $25. They had other incline bed options. I wish they had long twin beds.
We found $39 bed in a bag at Target, and 325 count sheets for an additional $19.99. Mattress covers, mattress protectors also from Target for about $15-$10. Luke AFB exchange was cheap, mattress pads for $6, and blankets for $10. I wish I knew we needed a new bed. The foam wedge wasn't working well.
After sleeping on the Ikea bed for two years, I am thinking about getting an adjustable icomfort bed. It can raise feet and head, and even has vibrate options. This definately would be fun!
JC Penney's had 1.5 inch foam toppers for 100, Walmart had a latex foam 1.5 inch topper for $25. They had other incline bed options. I wish they had long twin beds.
We found $39 bed in a bag at Target, and 325 count sheets for an additional $19.99. Mattress covers, mattress protectors also from Target for about $15-$10. Luke AFB exchange was cheap, mattress pads for $6, and blankets for $10. I wish I knew we needed a new bed. The foam wedge wasn't working well.
After sleeping on the Ikea bed for two years, I am thinking about getting an adjustable icomfort bed. It can raise feet and head, and even has vibrate options. This definately would be fun!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Gotta have my gadgets
I bought a countdown timer to use after eating or drinking so we will know when its time to eat again.
I bought a neat little scale for about $5 to measure out 2 oz of meat. It was more than I thought. So use a scale if you want to be accurate.
I bought a neat little scale for about $5 to measure out 2 oz of meat. It was more than I thought. So use a scale if you want to be accurate.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Daily Nutritional Needs Calculator
http://www.nutritiondata.com/tools/calories-burned
of course this is for healthy people, not those recovering from surgery.... I don't have the expertise to figure that one out!
of course this is for healthy people, not those recovering from surgery.... I don't have the expertise to figure that one out!
Daily Nutritional Requirements from the National Academy of Sciences 1989
Men Women
Calories 2400 1850
Total Fat 80 g or less 62 g or less
Saturated Fat 27 g or less 20 g or less
Cholesterol 300 mg or less 300 mg or less
Sodium 2400 mg 2400 mg
Total Carbohydrate 360 g 275 g
Dietary Fiber 20 to 30 g 20 to 30 g
Protein 63 g 50 g
Calcium 1000 mg 1000 mg
Iron 10 mg 15 mg
Source: National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, Recommended Dietary Allowances (10th Edition, 1989).
http://www.dvo.com/recipe_pages/pillsbury/Your_Daily_Nutritional_Requirements.html
Calories 2400 1850
Total Fat 80 g or less 62 g or less
Saturated Fat 27 g or less 20 g or less
Cholesterol 300 mg or less 300 mg or less
Sodium 2400 mg 2400 mg
Total Carbohydrate 360 g 275 g
Dietary Fiber 20 to 30 g 20 to 30 g
Protein 63 g 50 g
Calcium 1000 mg 1000 mg
Iron 10 mg 15 mg
Source: National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council, Recommended Dietary Allowances (10th Edition, 1989).
http://www.dvo.com/recipe_pages/pillsbury/Your_Daily_Nutritional_Requirements.html
When to go to bed?
Don't go to bed for an hour after eating.
Your bed must be at least 30 degrees, us a foam wedge or get an Adustable Bed... I would think the pre-surgery instructions would recommend this ahead of time. The wedges I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond are about 16 degrees each. Not good enough and two don't work well. I went to H and L Medical supply in Scottsdale they had a 30 degree wedge http://www.hnlmedical.com/ for about $40. I would take a protractor with me to measure them, or bring your basic trig and calculator because the three wedge sellers had no idea what the angle of the pillows that they were selling. Brush up on your math here...http://wright.nasa.gov/airplane/trig.html !!
Your bed must be at least 30 degrees, us a foam wedge or get an Adustable Bed... I would think the pre-surgery instructions would recommend this ahead of time. The wedges I bought at Bed Bath and Beyond are about 16 degrees each. Not good enough and two don't work well. I went to H and L Medical supply in Scottsdale they had a 30 degree wedge http://www.hnlmedical.com/ for about $40. I would take a protractor with me to measure them, or bring your basic trig and calculator because the three wedge sellers had no idea what the angle of the pillows that they were selling. Brush up on your math here...http://wright.nasa.gov/airplane/trig.html !!
Its all about portions
I've read its better to have 4oz drinks of water every 15 minutes. Food portions should be limited also... maybe the 1/2 cup rule should be a good starting point for food also? If you can tolerate more then that's okay. Low fat and low sugar are also important so there isn't "DUMPING"!!!
I just found shelf stable Gerber Toddler meals at Fresh and Easy. There is a main dish and a vegetable! Watch the fats though. Don't have a report on the taste though.
On Amazon I ordered a surgical steel baby food grinder with a bag for about $16. That solves the need to have small strained food. http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-BabySteps-Deluxe-Food-Travel/dp/B0030AHK5A/ref=pd_ybh_1?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AJG1SNJ1SXMGPBWDAS2
If you cook wholesome family food, you can grind it up for your Gastrectomee... I've just coined a new word I think.
The Gastrectomy menu does not include toast or jello... unlike those who have stomach reduction surgery.
If you are a nutritionist... please let me know if I"m not on the right track!
I just found shelf stable Gerber Toddler meals at Fresh and Easy. There is a main dish and a vegetable! Watch the fats though. Don't have a report on the taste though.
On Amazon I ordered a surgical steel baby food grinder with a bag for about $16. That solves the need to have small strained food. http://www.amazon.com/KidCo-BabySteps-Deluxe-Food-Travel/dp/B0030AHK5A/ref=pd_ybh_1?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AJG1SNJ1SXMGPBWDAS2
If you cook wholesome family food, you can grind it up for your Gastrectomee... I've just coined a new word I think.
The Gastrectomy menu does not include toast or jello... unlike those who have stomach reduction surgery.
If you are a nutritionist... please let me know if I"m not on the right track!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Calories and nutrient Calculator
At the USDA, they have an easy to use calculator to help you keep track of calories, vitamins, minerals and more at http://199.133.10.140/codesearchwebapp/codesearch.aspx. I made an excel spreadsheet and listed breakfast, am snack, lunch, pm snack, dinner, pm2 snack. I have 3 rows for each meal (can easily add more).
Its fun for those who really want to be detailed!
Its fun for those who really want to be detailed!
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