UGH!! Food, vitamins, and protein..OH MY!

Well, I was so happy that I've been able to take in protein and foods with no problems...and I guess I still can. But this week, everything just makes me feel BLAH! Protein is okay for the first couple sips, then I've just had enough. Food is okay for a few bites, then I feel like...ugh...no more. Nothing tastes that great or is interesting. So now I'm having trouble getting in enough protein, and I'm hardly eating anything...a few bites and I'm done. Water is okay some days...usually 32oz, which is all I can seem to get in. Today, I only made it to 20oz...I'm going to try and get some more in before I go to bed. And how the heck does everyone get in 4 calciums a day?? My surgeon said, don't take it with the multivitamin, since iron won't absorb if it detects calcium. So I have to take my multi vit first thing, then spread out 4 citrical's throughout the day. Today, my son had a dental emergency, and with work...I went in the kitchen an hour ago, and I hadn't taken ANY calcium yet today!! ARGH!! Am I the only one who is struggling with this? Does everyone have this trouble and do you continue to have trouble getting everything in?? So frustrating. Today has not been a good day all around. My poor son had to have his 2 front teeth pulled, and he is so miserable. He refuses to look in the mirror because he thinks his smile is scary now. I know he'll be okay over the next few days as it heals, but you can't help but feel bad for the poor thing! Bless his heart! This month has been the month of SO many extra expenses that were not planned, and the company I contract with tells me today that my check may not be processed by the end of the week. I should have already gotten it. I try to stay up and keep trusting that God will provide, but some days just try to knock you down then kick you a few times, ya know?? Anyhoo...I miss you ladies! Work has been busy this week, so I haven't posted much. But I hope you know I think about you all every day, and try to pop on to at least read up on everyone!

Before I get on my soap box, remember that you asked and I mean well, just dont have much tact sometimes Just do it! Eat to live, not live to eat, but definitely eat to stay healthy. Set a a clock, timer, or your watch to go off hourly to remind you to drink or eat something. Get in your protein! "Blah" is not a good excuse to starve your healing body from needed nutrients and fluids. It may take you many moons to find a supplement you like, but since we should be getting away from eatting and drinking things because we like the taste of them, that leads to trouble, plug your nose and swallow. 32oz of water is half the minimum requirement. Your organs use the water first, which leaves the outter shell to dry up: cracked lips, dry skin, dry hair, brittle nails, dizziness, headaches....not to mention constipation and if the organs arent getting enough then you had surgery for nothing cause you are killing yourself. Try harder! Some tummies like warm, try decaf flavored hot tea or herb drinks for your fluids. Sf popsickles and jello get fluids in you as well. Try Calcium Citrate chewable wafers from Twin Labs. Each wafer is 250mg, you can put several in a ziploc in your purse, you can pop one anywhere and chew, no water needed. Go pee in the middle of the night? Keep some bottled water and citricals on the sink and pop one before you crawl back to never never land. It gets better. You work out a routine. You find foods and supplements that work by trial and error. Just my few pennies worth of a butt kicking, good luck, and take care of yourself. M

Thank you for replying, Michelle! My surgeon had told me last week that 32oz was all he expects me to get in this early out, but to keep working on getting more in. I am getting in my protein every day, because I AM choking it down. lol I'm just getting frustrated that nothing tasted as good as it did a week ago! Maybe I need to try to eat more often? My surgeon says 3 meals a day and no snacks. I've been doing that, but this week, I just can't seem to eat much at all for each meal. But you are right, I really need to work out a routine! Thanks for the tips and encouragement...where do you buy those twin lab wafers? GNC? Those sound like a great idea! ~Elizabeth

It is going to be OK. I had those feels after my surgery. Try getting a calcium that has higher mg dosage. Mine is from Sam's and is 600 mg/tablet. Since we only absorb 500 mg at a time, I take 3 in a day not 4. Needless to say, I still have a hard time remembering to take my calcium. The wafer idea is great, I may have to try that. Get your water in, sip all day long. It took me almost 2 mths post-op to get up to 64 oz, and some days I just dont get that much in. My Nut suggested getting the SF popsicles, they can count as your water. I am addicted to those now and use them for when I am really thristy and can not down the water like I use to. I sorry to hear about your son. I hope is feeling better soon. Just take one day at a time, and if that does not work one hour at a time, and if that does not work, one minute at a time. You can do it. I hope this helps. Julie

Hi Julie! Thank you so much for replying! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who couldn't get in 64oz at 1 month post op! Are the Sam's calcium chewable? Thanks for the reminder on the popsicles...I have some in the freezer. Some days, with work being busy, it's hard to remember to always be drinking something! Thanks for the well wishes for Ethan...he is feeling better today. ~Elizabeth

The calcium I get at Sam's is not chewable. So what I did is either crushed them or took a pill splitter and divided them. We were allowed to take them like that. Dr. B's rule was as long as it was the sized of a M&M we did not have to cru**** So check with your Dr to see if that applies as well. I will tell you one chewable that I was scared to try because of the sugar content was the Citracal Chews. I was scared I would dump on them. But I didnt and they are very yummy. I get the chocolate mint and it also cures my sweet tooth. I do not have 3 a day, they are 500 mg of Calcium in each chew with vitamin D, I just have one when I am in a hurry and forgot to take the pill. You can get them at Wal-Mart or Target. Alot of people on the board use these. They also come in different flavors. Good Luck Julie

Thanks, Julie! That's what I'm using now...the citrical chewables. I just got the chocolate mint today! I do wish they would come out with a sugar free though.

ok, my angelette. i knew there was a reason i dreamt about you last night. here goes. and this is my tough love!! i am saying this all angry and stuff . eat, get protein, take vitamins, ge****er!!! having said that, i have been through the same thing. it is hard sometimes isn't it? i came on the board to get some tough love and it worked for me. i don't think michelle was "tactless" and btw, michelle, i would have told you if you were. those main board people can get mean!!! you aren't. next time i go through this or fall off the wagon michelle and kathy are my "go tos". as for the money and the baby. i'm sorry. it is so tough. you can't do without money that is for sure. keep faith that God is there for you and loves you. He will provide. sometimes i guess we have to be tested to see what we really and truly need and what is important. don't get down. just hang in there and know you are loved!!!

Hey Sherry How are ya?? I hate that I can't afford to get out to Greenville to see you all on Mondays! I'll get out there soon. I appreciate everyone's opinion...I don't think anyone is mean on this board. I guess I just thought maybe I'd be the exception, and have no problems with food and supplements! HA! Guess not. Just feeling frustrated...maybe just a compilation of all my stresses right now! When it rains, it pours! Thankfully, God usually brings a rainbow when it's over. My poor hubby is really taking the financial strain hard right now, and he's really down. That just makes my heart ache! He just didn't want to start his layoff being in the negative financially. I tried to remind him that I love him no matter what, and that we need to trust that God will provide! He always has! Thanks for the encouragement, sweetie! You are a great angel...I love ya!! ~Elizabeth

we struggled getting my business off the ground. all of a sudden things are really great. my husband gets down too. he works so hard and really doesn't get the compensation he deserves. i hope is by the end of the summer for him to be able to help me. he has done his time working 100 hour weeks. i made him take the whole summer before we moved to SC off and it did wonders for him and us. i really took a gamble going off on my own and i pray everyday that i made the right decision. i think i have because things are looking up!!