Back to reality.....

Hi Everyone, Well after basking under the beautiful sunshine and swimming and snorkling in the crystal blue waters of St. Thomas and St. Martaan, it's back to reality! I'm still waiting for people to pamper me like they did while i was on vacation! Anyway, reality is right.....my surgery is just 9 days away and I am starting to get nervous. I am going to do my grocery shopping on saturday, and have an idea as to what i need to get, if anyone has any suggestions at all, please let me know. I don't like yogurt, cottage cheese, or tuna. All other suggestions are welcomed! And of course, any encouragement is always welcomed! Thanks again for all of your support. Please help calm the nerves that i will have over the next 8-9 days! Thanks for the help!! -Joe-

SF Popsicles (a delicious treat) Underwood Deviled Ham is delicious, they have chicken, too (I don't like the chicken too much). I use marinated jalapenos on it just cut them really small with my baby spoon (oh, and get a baby spoon). Your taste buds may change, get a yogurt, tuna, and cottage cheese just to try it. Buy some ricotta cheese, it's good too. Buy some chicken breasts to run through the food processor, it's great and you can't go wrong there. You can add some of the fat free gravy in a jar. Then get skim milk for your protein shakes and stock up on the flinstone vitamins and calcium chews. Oh get some of the frozen precooked shrimp to puree in the food processor, too. Use a little ****tail sauce with it, yummy. I got some International Coffees no caffeine, no sugar and of course sugar free applesauce (I found it at Trader Joe's) and SF puddings by Jello. Sorry so unorganized, hope this helps. Try some creamed soups, too but not too much protein in them so I add the canned chicken. Nerves are normal, Joe. You'll do well. You've been so busy too. Welcome back. Dianne

Well well well, cruise boy decides to return to the lowly land lubbers....Jet Set Joe tearing up the Caribbean along with a few hurricanes! ( No jealousy from THIS gal huh LOL ) Welcome home and take a huge deep breath and rest up! For food ideas you can use shrimp ( I mostly used pre-cooked in the bag that you just thaw out some )To moisten the shrimp I used some mayo or some horseradish and some no sugar ketchup. Heinz makes one called One Carb that is REALLY good. Bean Soup...refried beans and cheese too. I also went through a lot of those little microwavable containers of Hormel Chili and beef stew. Fast easy and they give you 2 meals for about 99 cents. I oomphed most of that stuff up with unflavored Unjury. Little cans of chicken and ham. I also used no sugar added applesauce as well as Spicy V-8...the V-8 was GREAT to disguise the taste of nasty meds. Like Dianne said, don't completely rule out foods that you don't like now because your tastes are very likely to change. lol I was the opposite, I loved tuna salad pre-op and now it sits in the pouch like I ate a rock. I just get some out every few weeks and see if I can eat it yet. Suppliment your fluid sipping by using Isopure ( if you like it ) I still use them all the time. I also found a shake I like a lot. Trial and error and lots of exercise strolling around the grocery store. Oh and don't forget to buzz up some egg salad, that's always nice! Linda

Welcome home Joe. I bet the cruise was awesome. You will never eat like that again. But, you really won't care either. You really did it up good for your last horrah!! We are all envious. Some food ideas. Progresso soups, macaroni & bean, black bean and the beef soups all have 8-10 grams of protein. The can will make at least 2 meals. MMMMM. Put all these foods in the chopper. I made a corned beef special. A slice of corned beef, thousand island dressing and a small piece of cabbage. Corned beef spread. Of course my famous garlic mashed potatoes with unflavored unjury. A piece of steak with lots of horsey mayo suce to thin it out. Anything you can get in the chopper and thin out to moisten will give you the taste you want. Pizza & hoagies don't work. Too dry. Eggs didn't sit good for about 2 months, no matter how I cooked them. I just kept trying. Now I put an egg over easy on a small piece of lite scrapple. Seafood is good & easy. Get the frozen shrimp. Take out 3 or 4. And steam them. At first that might be too many. Dip in ketchup & horseradish or a little butter. For a treat I had 2 or 3 crackers with peanut butter I'm not a cottage cheese or yogurt person. I do eat oatmeal and the SF jello's & puddings. SF popsicles are tasty and refreshing too. Good luck Try to stay positive & focused. You'll do okay. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Well Joe ... you have already been given some excellent ideas for the shopping (don't forget the chap-stick) ... anyway ... so I guess I will concentrate on the pampering and encouragement. Seriously, I added cheese and unflavored protein powder to just about everything ... okay ... not everything ... but I tried!!! Speaking of protein ... add a canister, bottles etc of protein. I survived on Bean soup, refried beans, potato soup, high protein sf pudding, sf jello, crystal light, propel, fruit 2-0, mashed potatos with cheese ... just one word of caution that I know you have heard a bazillion times before ... don't overbuy anything ... your tastes may change and quite frankly, you will be eating so very little initially that it may just lay around for like forever. I know I had the sf jello around on my shelf for months. Anyway, that is post-op ... don't forget about your items for your pre-op clear liquid diet. I used a lot of fruit 2-0, jello, chicken broth during this phase. Remember, you will be walking again before you know it and another trip to the store would be good for you (make sure you get clearance before you drive again - I have heard two thoughts on that one and am not sure which one is correct - I didn't have the need to drive until after I saw the doc and he said okay when I asked - so check) When packing your bag for the hospital, don't bother with all the make-up hair dryers and etc ... ohhhhhhh yeah .... ummm never mind!!! Just kidding ... the point being, lighter is better, not only in our weight, but in our bag for the hospital also!!! Joe, you are doing great!!! I am happy for you!!! Hugs, Tammy

OK Joe....Now for a guys opinion!! EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAID!!!!!! I found a Vegetarian Red Bean Stew at Trader Joes that I ate for the first week or so....I loved it. I added a little tuna for some extra umph. and one can made like 4 meals!!!! I also drank Isopure, Protein Ice, and other protein drinks to make sure I got both protein and the liquids.......still do! The only thing I brought to the hospital that I haven't heard from anyone else is a small CD player. Reading was out of the question, and I didn't care for the TV much (couldn't focus very well) with the happy button. You are on your way to being a LOSER!!! You'll do fine! Ken

Hey Joe, Welcome back. The only thing you need at the hospital is too throw your modesty at the window. If you feel a stiff wind up you backside when you are walking, it's probably cause your gowns are coming undone. but none of the nurses seem to get phased. Other than that I brought a couple of magazines which I used to help me fall asleep. Once you are on the other side, I think that LInda has given you some great idea, like the Hormel chili and beef stew. They both puree up nice and easy. They have a couple of other products like chicken and dumpling which I tossed out half the dumplings from the can and then pureed up. The important thing is to get a lot of variety so you don't get bored, or develop a phobia to trying additional things. Lastly, you should try my personal favorite of pureed yogurt, cottage cheese, and tuna. Good luck, and enjoy the next couple of days. Rob

Hey Joe, Welcome back. The only thing you need at the hospital is too throw your modesty at the window. If you feel a stiff wind up you backside when you are walking, it's probably cause your gowns are coming undone. but none of the nurses seem to get phased. Other than that I brought a couple of magazines which I used to help me fall asleep. Once you are on the other side, I think that LInda has given you some great idea, like the Hormel chili and beef stew. They both puree up nice and easy. They have a couple of other products like chicken and dumpling which I tossed out half the dumplings from the can and then pureed up. The important thing is to get a lot of variety so you don't get bored, or develop a phobia to trying additional things. Lastly, you should try my personal favorite of pureed yogurt, cottage cheese, and tuna. Good luck, and enjoy the next couple of days. Rob

Welcome back Joe! Everyone has given you very good ideas. Make sure you have some chewable GAS X on hand this was my friend the first few days home. The gas is TERRIBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE But other than that I pray and trust you will do fine.

Joe, My info wasn't good enough for you???*LOL* Great idea though to get others ideas as I forgot a few things! As you know pureed foods for me were an out! The thoughts gagged me alone! And wathcing the stuff blend made it worse. I'm just picky I guess so I stayed on the ideas I told you. Especially the saltine crackers.... they mush up so nicely in your mouth! You will do great Joe and you are very prepared for your welcome to the loosing side. Best wishes and I'm here for you!! Peace~~ Hope