@hopeful33250 @whipple123
At my lowest, after the Whipple (June 2025) and maybe 6 rounds of chemo (5 rounds before the Whipple, 1 after), I had lost 22 lbs, I am 5’7” and went down to 106 lbs, had NO body fat, very skinny, loose hanging skin - yikes!
Though I tried to eat well throughout, I knew I had to try harder, did not want to lose any more. Now have put maybe 10 lbs back on in the last 4-5 months, it’s a slow process, but at least scale is now going up and not further down. (106 scared me).
Eating every few hours, or at least 5 X/day, or 6 helps. I do not skip any meals.
Eat breakfast as soon as I get up, steel cut oats made with coconut milk, fruit on top plus more milk (oat milk, it’s fattening); or 2 eggs and toast; sometimes cold cereal, I am always trying variety as it seems I quickly get sick of whatever I’m having, like after 3-4 times in a row, something changes and I CANNOT eat whatever it is at all - it’s very strange. Anyone else have this happen, it’s so weird.
High calorie plus protein foods and snacks are what I aim for - fruit smoothies with protein powder and Greek yogurt. Do not like Greek yogurt plain but great in smoothies; hard cooked eggs, easy to have on hand; cottage cheese with fruit; or snack of fruit, apple, grapes. Dinner - soups and pasta with bland/cream or lemony sauce, I could usually eat. Lemon really helps me, I was putting it on everything for a while.
Eating more fresh fruits than I used to, and that’s good, replacing sweet snacks, cookies, etc.
Another problem I have is I am a little picky, or so I’m told. Used to be a die-hard foodie. Learning to adjust, lol!
And I guess most of us who’ve lost part of our pancreas (and gallbladder and duodenum, I’ve read all these are involved in digestion) need pancreatic enzymes or food isn’t absorbed and things go downhill from there. This medication is $$ (mail order from my hospital pharmacy seems to be the best option), but at least for me, I need it to absorb nutrients, taking 1 20,000 Zenpep (like Creon) plus 2 Vital nutrients (off Amazon OTC) with every ‘larger’ meal. Take 1 10,000 Zenpep with snacks.
Went through February - November 2025 just not wanting or caring to eat - not nauseated - but no appetite (chemo!).
It is helpful if you hopefully have support, and someone to prepare foods for you. I am married but hubby cannot boil water…I guess because I’ve always been the cook/chef in the family. But he is wonderful for emotional support and encouragement, I think this journey is much harder for those not having a partner🙏. Friends bringing food over, which I had for a few weeks after my surgery, was helpful. Couldn't always eat what they brought - but hubby could, lol!
I am very motivated to keep going, too young (72) and not ready to give up!