Questionsssss

my aunt just had her whole stomach removed due to somach cancer. we have a lot of questions concerning how she can eat and what can she eat for the fist couple of weeks. for example the doctor said she can only eat soups for the whole month, and that she cant eat any dairy products because she may get gassy . is that true? it seems like the doctor is prohibiting her from all kinds of foods. how is she suppose to get her nutrients. we want to get her nutrition and weight to a good level before chemo. but we are limited on foods to cook for her. she has also been gagging every morning is that normal? and recently her thraot has been very soar causing her to eat less. is that another symptom of recovery or is it just a normal soar throat?  and she has also been having fevers every night sometimes during the day? is that because of the surgery or yet another sickness. how long will it take for her wounds to heal. is there a way to help her heal faster pain-free. any special ointments or food? and are there specific foods she can eat that bring her wight back to a normal level.please help us the docotor seems to not care or offer any advice or udadate us on her condition so we are asking you to please take an extra look at our questions please and answer back with care and as sooon as possible .thank you so much

Dear hopeinshallah,

Your concerns are very valid.  Your aunts throat hurts because of the tubes they jam through for surgery.  She will feel better in about a week or so.  It's very normal.  As for her appetite, it's also normal.  Her body is traumatisized and she will continue to lose a lot of weight.  I say this because my husband who was 210 pounds went down to 125 pounds the week of his last chemo treatment, but has managed to gain 15 pounds in 4 weeks.  We tried to give him high protein, high calorie food, but it was inevitable.   A total gastrectomy is VERY hard on the body. 

One suggestions is to order from Walgreens a product called BeneProtein and BeneCalorie that supply extra protein and/or calories.  We would add these to eggs, his shakes, yogurt etc.  It does not have any taste so it doesn't change the consistency of the food.  Also, ensure, or any of those protein drinks would help too because it will help with their energy and weight problems.  Their taste buds change too, so PLEASE be patient with them because they will have plenty of mood swings and that too is normal.  Check with the hospital's dietician because they can give you samples of these products and should be able to give you some tips too.  I have gone through so much since his diagnosis in October.  I would be happy to share more information if you are interested.  Good luck and keep the faith.

Thank you soooo much for answering back so quickly really appreciated.

My aunt has also been having really sharp pain or some sort of cramp on her left abdomen side . and when she asked the doctor she was told its where her stomach used to be is that normal? and how long did it take your husband to start eating normally again does it take a while?

Do u have any special recipes ?

The doctor said were not allowed to cook with any spices so all tha food tastes like blah what can we do to get her to eat better?

She has alsoo been throwing up after almost everything she eats or drinks. but its not food she throws up its like a yellow greenish tint sometimes pink which scares us because were afraid it might be blood. might that be because her throat might be healing ?

 Is neosporing the right ointment to use for her scar after the surgery or is there a better ointment to help get rid of the scar and make it heal better and faster? 

Please get back to us your feed back was excellent thank you very much.

You are welcome.  I would be happy to help in any way I can.  I feel it's the least I can do since this site was very helpful to me in the beginning of our journey.

Yes, the pain is normal.  She can ask for medicine for the pain.  She would need a prescription, but anything with codine.  If you want to try over the counter medicine you can - tylenol, advil.  Just call the doc before to make sure it's okay.  Our doc said most over the counter stuff was okay.

I would say it took my husband at least 2 months to start eating better and not be vomiting as much.  He still does from time to time and it's just going to be part of life for them (unfortunately), but don't get scared as it's normal for them to have those sensations without a stomach.

As for recipes, we tried sooooo many things. My husband was a very picky eater to begin with so it was a real struggle.  He lost about 65 pounds and his weight is stable now which is a good thing.  They will drop a lot of weight.  I would make him smoothies with protein powder.  Go to a GNC or Vitamin Shoppe where you can guy with with lots of calories and protein.  The one I recommend is Smoothie King, but you may have to buy on-line.  The strawberry actually tastes great - even I like it.  It has tons of calories, I believe like 900 for a 24 ounce drink.  We would mix with whole milk, a banana, fresh straberries or whatever fruit you like and the mix.  If she has one of those a day, but a small breakfast and dinner she will do well.  I found that drinks were much easier for my husband to keep in, so you may want to try that until she heals well.  My husband also eat a lot of plain yogurt with honey, eggs, and cream of wheat. 

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Dearest Ladies,

Bless you both for caring for your loved ones as you are. 

 I would like to make a few suggestions .. and PRAY that the WebManage/Administrator does NOT delete this message as they have so many of mine.... erroneously thinking I am soliciting an organization called Life Extension Foundation.  THEY have been My "Bible" for supplements, protocols from all over the world, and All over GOOD HEALTH!  I have never bought from them, have no affiliations .. but, their information is INVALUABLE!

One thing I did not notice you two mention was supplements and enhancing your loved ones immune systems.  Cancer and chemo, as you know, is VERY VERY Rough on a body .. muchelss having to go thru the radical surgeries your loved ones did.

The dot org I referenced above, has studies from all over the world and recommends MEGA supplementation, especially for cancer and low immune systems.

Melatonin 10mg "improves immune function in pts suffering from wide variety of cancerns.  Clinical studies support 20mg/day can improve immune function in cancer patients, predominantly by enhancing the immunity driven by the 2 chief anti-tumor messengers, Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-12"

I have sooo many things which I could tell you, BUT, I'm afraid it will be a waste as this letter might get DELETED like so many of my others.

Girls, Please work on your loved ones IMMUNE system.  Once their Immune System is healthier, they will feel better and start eating more.  Original poster .. Please get your Aunts up there BEFORE Chemo!! 

Green Tea Extract Pills (2-3 750mg caps/day)  along with Turmeric(curcumin) capsules (3 800mg caps up to 3x/day .. 2 hrs apart from all medication) .. work wonders!!  I'm talking HIGH dosages which are not recommended by the usda.  Dosages I found on L E F dot O R G 

Short term supplementation with Vit E (750mg) DURING CHEMO reduces the white blood cells associated with Chemo.

GARLIC - Improves function of Natural Killer cells and Lymphocytes.

I wish you and your loved ones much peace, love, and healing.  I hope this makes it to you and that you are able to go do your own research and get their immune systems up.

Always,

M.