Oops cooking
Yesterday, the main issue was his waning appetite, but today Gilly’s vision seems to have gone downhill significantly. He claims not to be able to see me clearly if I am standing but a metre away from him. Those who asked him how he was doing today received this response: “lousy.” It pains me to witness how limited he is as to what activities bring him pleasure. He would love to have a purpose to what he does with his time. But at this point it is challenging to meet this goal, no matter how simple his mission might be. He continues to grin in a lopsided fashion, and demonstrates more patience than I’ve ever seen in him, despite his current state of affairs.
The good news is that I’ve discovered what he is tempted to eat. We started with sausages this morning (don’t tell the rabbi), which led to sausages again for lunch. He still has a taste for fruit and vegetables, so I squeeze this food group in between meals, along with different sorts of grain (toast, waffles and the like); never a problem there.
Interruption: I heard a crash and ran downstairs to find Gilly and Yaron calmly watching a hockey game. Liylah made the sound running up the stairs. Deep breath, Cindy…..phew, I’ve recovered. “Finished blogging?” asked Gilly. “No, I thought you had fallen or something,” I admitted. "How are you doing?” I ask this question too much. “I guess O.K.,” he grumbled. Translation: “Still lousy.”
Back to food: I perused the pamphlet on nutrition during treatment in the waiting room this afternoon yet again. I read aloud about the importance of protein in one’s diet and the role that it plays when undergoing treatment. I thought it would help him understand why I’m pushing it, but he showed little enthusiasm for the topic. I continued searching for ideas in silence, and happened upon a few good ones.
When the session was over, I suggested we go to Akavan (not sure of the spelling). He hates going to IGA with me, although I’ve tried to encourage him to choose his own food. He agreed to accompany me to this small grocery store which carries all his favourite Middle Eastern delicacies. I could tell this was a winner of an idea as soon as we entered; Noam came running towards me and wrapped his arms around me. He and Susie were shopping (“She dragged me here,” he playfully complained). We had an impromptu visit, then went on to purchase all of Gilly’s favourites (of the moment). He’s become quite particular in terms of what he’ll place in the basket. I’ve noticed that he craves salty food.
I prepared 3 types of chicken brochette and some flap meat (remember Liylah ate the frozen flap meat off the counter awhile back?). But the real trick was the potatoes. I mixed skim milk powder in with some whole milk (using the suggestion from the pamphlet for making fortified milk which is considered protein) as part of the liquid for scalloped potatoes. Then I added fresh herbs (chives and dill) from Gilly’s perennial herb garden (which is always motivating for Gilly to consume). I threw in a bunch of other spices in my famous ‘oops cooking’ fashion (a Montreal Schwager in-joke).
Gilly tasted and enjoyed 4 types of chicken, broccoli, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, Feta cheese and potatoes. He had seconds of everything but broccoli. I scored! I told him that the potatoes, which he deemed delicious, have protein in them too. He smirked, “I knew you put cheese in there!” “Not a drop,” I assured him. “Well they’re good no matter what you added,” he decided. he's not a fan of milk, so we left that out of the discussion.
My wish is to fatten him up and in doing so, help him build up more strength. How I personally will avoid being fattened alongside him is still undetermined, since I do not have time or patience to make 2 types of potatoes YET. In theory, that would be the smart way to proceed. But my sweet friend Sharon consoles me by saying, “Food offers comfort.” That excuse will only go so far. The best option would be to avoid the potatoes altogether. Next week?
I hope the additional Decadron will reduce the swelling and that as a result Gilly’s vision will improve over time. Perhaps today’s appetite had less to do with our culinary modifications and more to do with the medication. Who knows? Even the medics have no clue as what to anticipate. They’ve admitted that much to us on numerous occasions. We just have to keep out spirits up and look brightly towards the future. We feed off of one another’s positive spirits, so whoever is most hungry at the moment draws nourishment from the other. And we both are sustained by the positive energy that surrounds us.
The good news is that I’ve discovered what he is tempted to eat. We started with sausages this morning (don’t tell the rabbi), which led to sausages again for lunch. He still has a taste for fruit and vegetables, so I squeeze this food group in between meals, along with different sorts of grain (toast, waffles and the like); never a problem there.
Interruption: I heard a crash and ran downstairs to find Gilly and Yaron calmly watching a hockey game. Liylah made the sound running up the stairs. Deep breath, Cindy…..phew, I’ve recovered. “Finished blogging?” asked Gilly. “No, I thought you had fallen or something,” I admitted. "How are you doing?” I ask this question too much. “I guess O.K.,” he grumbled. Translation: “Still lousy.”
Back to food: I perused the pamphlet on nutrition during treatment in the waiting room this afternoon yet again. I read aloud about the importance of protein in one’s diet and the role that it plays when undergoing treatment. I thought it would help him understand why I’m pushing it, but he showed little enthusiasm for the topic. I continued searching for ideas in silence, and happened upon a few good ones.
When the session was over, I suggested we go to Akavan (not sure of the spelling). He hates going to IGA with me, although I’ve tried to encourage him to choose his own food. He agreed to accompany me to this small grocery store which carries all his favourite Middle Eastern delicacies. I could tell this was a winner of an idea as soon as we entered; Noam came running towards me and wrapped his arms around me. He and Susie were shopping (“She dragged me here,” he playfully complained). We had an impromptu visit, then went on to purchase all of Gilly’s favourites (of the moment). He’s become quite particular in terms of what he’ll place in the basket. I’ve noticed that he craves salty food.
I prepared 3 types of chicken brochette and some flap meat (remember Liylah ate the frozen flap meat off the counter awhile back?). But the real trick was the potatoes. I mixed skim milk powder in with some whole milk (using the suggestion from the pamphlet for making fortified milk which is considered protein) as part of the liquid for scalloped potatoes. Then I added fresh herbs (chives and dill) from Gilly’s perennial herb garden (which is always motivating for Gilly to consume). I threw in a bunch of other spices in my famous ‘oops cooking’ fashion (a Montreal Schwager in-joke).
Gilly tasted and enjoyed 4 types of chicken, broccoli, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, Feta cheese and potatoes. He had seconds of everything but broccoli. I scored! I told him that the potatoes, which he deemed delicious, have protein in them too. He smirked, “I knew you put cheese in there!” “Not a drop,” I assured him. “Well they’re good no matter what you added,” he decided. he's not a fan of milk, so we left that out of the discussion.
My wish is to fatten him up and in doing so, help him build up more strength. How I personally will avoid being fattened alongside him is still undetermined, since I do not have time or patience to make 2 types of potatoes YET. In theory, that would be the smart way to proceed. But my sweet friend Sharon consoles me by saying, “Food offers comfort.” That excuse will only go so far. The best option would be to avoid the potatoes altogether. Next week?
I hope the additional Decadron will reduce the swelling and that as a result Gilly’s vision will improve over time. Perhaps today’s appetite had less to do with our culinary modifications and more to do with the medication. Who knows? Even the medics have no clue as what to anticipate. They’ve admitted that much to us on numerous occasions. We just have to keep out spirits up and look brightly towards the future. We feed off of one another’s positive spirits, so whoever is most hungry at the moment draws nourishment from the other. And we both are sustained by the positive energy that surrounds us.
posted by Gilly at 9:51 PM
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