Bowel

Hi Tmb

Welcome to the bowel forum . What a big surgery indeed and I can totally understand you need some confidence to hand the bowel aspects . I am a carer and not any use to you but others have much more experience and will pop on to help you . 
I just want to say my mum lost three stones but still managed to go through chemo . We too were worried but found milk shakes  quite a good calorie boost in that she could gradually drink them without too much effort but get a big calorie hit . I hasten to add she did not  have a stoma so that adds a different dimension. You also might like to see our “ ask an expert section” as there can be dieticians around to also help .A complete departure from her normal diet but any port in a storm !

I hope we can support you and reduce some of the anxiety around this . 
Take care ,

court 

Hi Tmb, Gosh you have gone through a lot, big hug to you. I completely understand about losing your appetite. My experience is different but while on chemo I felt it was almost as if my body was refusing to eat. I got a telling off from the chemo-ward doctor who stressed it is really important to eat protein while on chemo. Easy for him to say! I tried everyone’s suggestions, and found, similar to court’s milkshakes, that full fat fruit yogurt went down well, as did cereal with warm milk. I also tried high protein bars...although at my worst I could only manage the smallest bite in a day. I lost a lot of weight very quickly, but am pleased to say that once the chemo finished my appetite returned. My bowel behaved quite erratically whilst on chemo, but they have lots of different medicines to help if you need them.

I would definitely ask to be assigned a specialist colorectal nurse. It is wonderful to have someone you can ring any time for advice and support, and they know a lot about the right diet.  Mine visited me every time I was in for an infusion and always sat in on meetings with my oncologist. 

Very best of luck with your treatment xx

I forgot about the full fat yogurt Veggie lady. I remember scanning the m and s shelves for the highest calorie load possible . Some desserts were tolerable too! My sons used to make them for her with added chocolate bars and big scopes of ice cream ! The very thought !

So pleased you replied . So much more relevant when it comes from experience.

Court