Diabetes and Colitis

@mizzdeb48 I was in the hospital for 30 days on very high doses of steroids prior to my colectomy. I came out of the hospital weighing about 83 lbs and had lost a lot of my muscle mass. If I try and remember what I was eating when I came out, it was a lot of starches, and bland lean protein, like chicken breast. I was also trying to get calories in so I also ate ice cream, cookies, and other things that were calorie dense, but not necessarily that nutritious. It took about 6 months to wean off the steroids and 2 years to recover completely.

I didn't have the benefit of a dietitian, or nutritionist, but I was given the guidance of trying small amounts of food, and chewing well. If they didn't agree with me, I would wait a little bit before trying again.

Your sister has gone through a lot, and I think if she feels like a food sounds delicious and appealing she should go ahead and try some. I know the diabetes adds a complication, and of course I would never recommend that she go against what the dietitian says.

For me, sometimes Cream of Wheat cereal made with milk and slathered with butter was appealing when nothing else was. It wasn't, perhaps, the most balanced of meals, but it got calories in me and felt good in my stomach . And honestly it also sounds good right now... It's a real comfort food for me.

What are some foods that appeal to your sister now?

@susanf8 it sounds like there are parallels to what you've experienced and my sister's. the steroids will be tapered and done with in a couple of weeks, though they will likely stay in her system for a bit longer. i haven't mentioned this, but she's lost a lot of weight as well and that trend has yet to be turned around. by her own reporting, she's definitely eating and trying hard to make good, healthy choices, including foods that are more calorie dense (i.e. full fat plain Greek yogurt, instead of low fat, etc.). i've also suggested to her to eat smaller, more frequent meals since she's hungry. the colitis has improved (she's no longer tethered to the bathroom), so she's trying to gradually add some foods that make sense and will be easy on her gastro system. again...that may be a bit of hit or miss until things continue to improve and resolve. she seems to be eating a variety, so her issue isn't what appeals. most food appeal. it's her fear of setting off her colitis, which during her long hospital stay, was extremely bad.

i think this will be a work in progress and just take time and continued reaching out to her dietician and other professionals like her gastroenterologist. you've given me hope and encouragement that i can pass on to her, and i thank you again for that! i'm sorry your journey was such a difficult one too!

@mizzdeb48 I'm glad I've helped. It takes a while, and you have to celebrate the small triumphs. The day I was able to walk up a flight of 4 stairs using alternating feet, instead of one foot, then bringing the other to join it on the same stair, stands out in my memory as *such* a good day.

It took about 6 months to gain back 10 pounds, but it was faster after that. If your sister has significant muscle weakness, maybe PT is something she can look into, now that she is not tethered to the toilet?