The first steps and beginnings are the hardest

When Don had his lower lip and 3 lymph nodes removed due to Squamous Cell Carcinoma (a form of Cancer), his mouth had to be rebuilt and currently swollen and a very tiny opening.  He can swallow just fine, just not get a normal spoon in his mouth.  His surgery is not common.  Hospitals don't deal with people who have had mouth surgery very often.  Most of the staff at the hospital were younger than my kids.  They gave him a scrawny thin bendy straw and an 8 oz paper cup.  It would help if they were more attentive to his needs.  He was on a clear liquid diet.  Somehow I guess that has lost its meaning as well.  They gave him cream of wheat.  Not only does he hate it but also it does not go through that scrawny bendy straw.  I asked a number of nurses for a small spoon or a baby spoon.  Of course they did not have one and I don't think they bothered to look.  Finally on male nurse listened to me.  Someone from the Swallow Department came up thinking he could not swallow.  When I explained my frustration and told her all I wanted was a smaller spoon.  She came up with a large syringe and a 250ml wash bottle.  I can't tell you how she got ahold of the wash bottle.  She also did not find a small spoon.  I suggested Pediatrics.  Now it was GAME ON!  She could not believe that she could not find a small spoon either.  After all it is a hospital.  She made 12 phone calls and finally a person in Pediatric Occupational Therapy said she did not have one but would see what she could do.  A co-worker managed to find one, so Katie had to meet her in a hallway that had no traffic to make the "deal".  Katie said it felt like she was doing a drug deal, but we got our spoon and No feeding tube for Don.

Here is what supplies I now have and hope this gets you going on your embarkment of this frustrating diet:

I forgot to add a Food Scale helps when measuring some stuff.  I have a nice inexpensive digital that I bought at Walmart.com a few months ago, for making stuff to can.

Small win for Me today!!!  I pureed the Dinty Moore Beef Stew.  Don said he would eat some but not all.  He came back in the house from the porch with an empty glass.  He was surprised he ate all of it.  Now I am hoping he is more receptive to pureed foods.

Another positive thing I see about this is that Don only has 9 teeth on top.  He had his bottom ones pulled almost 3 years ago but it hurt so bad he is afraid to go back because the top 9 will be worse.  They won't fit him with dentures until the tops are pulled.  I can promise this never stopped him from gnawing on steak fresh off the grill.  

***Mental Note:  Pureed, liquified foods DO NOT taste the same as the regular recipe.  It not only changes the texture but the flavor because of the additional liquid added.

Just want you all to know alot is going on around here.  I have a ton more receipes that I have created, just have not had time to post.  I will try to post on Tues/Weds nights.  Also off work on Dec 24,25, and 26 (that never happens) and will try to catch up on posting then as well.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my newest section.

Applesauce and Yougurt are considered for a "Full Liquid" Diet.  The hospital expected Don to use a teaspoon but his mouth would not open wide enough.  Then they gave him a skinny "bendy" straw.  Definately a no go.  Katie from the swallow department brought a huge syreinge which was ok, but when we got home, My daughter, Niki, Suggested Boba Straws.  Talk about a miracle

Don can eat what he wants now however, even with his mouth healed (and having only 7 or 9 teeth on top), he can't eat meat that is not tender.  Been using both of my crock pots (one is oval which is wider and shallower and the other is the old 3 quart that is taller than wide). With a slow cooker, I love the make it and leave it theory on days I have to work and get that fall apart meat.  He still can't eat anything on a bun but he is also eating less Dinty Moore Beef Stew, so I guess I am doing something right.  He still doesn't eat much but he can sure drink alot of beer *LOL*

So check out the Crock Pot Cooking Section for some delicious meal ideas