At 11:41 AM 8/14/97 -0400, you wrote: >Dear Friends--This is the 2nd day that Peter has been walking, since the >traumatic episode on 8/5. It's great to see him "vertical" instead >of "horizontal"! ;-) (especially as hethought he'd never walk again!) > >The appetite he lost with Aricept is gradually being coaxed back, and he's >eating a bit more. >In this regard, I must confess to Kathrynne Holden, our faithful RD, >that I broke a lot of rules in getting him to eat--he had Ensure, despite the >protein, at any time he'd swallow it--but I did try to supply some fruit >with it for balance...we'e talking spoonfulls here, not cups! I gave him >several small "meals" whenever he was willing to take even a few mouthfuls, and >didn't worry about "balance" as much as usual, just working to get calories in >that skinny guy--down to about 120 lbs. The intake of nourishment has helped >strengthen him to where he can be mobile again, I'm sure--the problem was >to break through the vicious cycle of "no appetite--nothing tastes good-- >why eat anyway, I'm not going to get better--I'm weaker" etc. The support of >the Home Care nurses and aides has been wonderful. Today he's to be >evaluated by Occupational and Physical therapists, which should help. I >rejoice that our Medicare premiums are providing this reward now! > >One more thought re:food. The "Unifiber" Kathrynne suggested is still a big >help. I mix it into mayo on a sandwich, or yogurt, and have discovered >that I can add it to Ensure (regular) rather than paying extra for "Ensure >with Fiber". It doesn't changethe taste, and I follow the proportion on the >"with Fiber" can as a guide. Our pharmacist special orders it for me, and >if anyone is interested, I can supply the info about it. > >I'll be picking up on the things I've done to lighten Barb Patterson's load >(giving info re:list) and adding folks to the CARE list,which Jeff Jones has >done for me since our crisis. Thanks to Barb and Jeff for taking over. > >(P.S.--has anyone bought an "Ali Knockout Collection"necktie yet ?? ) > >Camilla Flintermann, CG for Peter, 78/7, Oxford,Ohio >[log in to unmask] >* * * * * * * * * * * * * * >"Ask me about the CARE list for PD caregivers!" >* * * * * * * * * * * * * * > email me peter diet on ensure. it goes thrughme like grant took richmand I.Y. Q.don