Protein Deficiency

hate to say this, but... If you don't take care of yourself, who's gonna be there to help take care of your mother. See your surgeon earlier than March. Something is wrong, very wrong. You need intervention in this matter and you really can't afford to put it off anymore. Be proactive!!

Try ordering some Whey protein Isolate off the internet from the states, like Syntrax. They have enough flavors to satisfy. From the fruity ones to the dessert ones.

Good luck and take care of yourself.

You may hate to say this, but you did say it oh so well.   You hit the nail on the head, covered all bases, and hopefully your post will help her get back on track.

You can have a new career, the one minute therapist.   Down and dirty, to the point without any of the fluff. 

Sorry to hear that your having a bad time of it. I hope things get better with your Mom. You've gotten some great advice and you need to act on it quickly so you don't get any worse. Sometimes we forget to take care of our self while others need us but you'll be of no use to her of you get sick. Be good to yourself.
Ciao Leslie

Ettie-

Is UNFLAVORED whey protein isolate(or just unflavored whey protein, if you're not lactose intolerant) available there?  I use the isolate.  I make hazelnut(filbert) flavored protein iced coffees and fruit smoothies with my protein dumped in.  Not gritty, no aftertaste, just PURE PLEASURE!  I'm entering maintenance mode, but I still do at least two a day.  Plus, you can use flavorings with fortified milk (1 part powdered milk to 2 parts liquid milk) and whatever artificial sweetener you use to make your own shakes.

I agree with Jazz. Unflavored whey Isolate is really good and hides well in my coffee with some added half and half. Not thick or gritty. I do have to skim off a frothy top with the unflavored. I've tried Unjury and it's alright but I really like NOW unflavored. This link below is for 5lb but it's also available elsewhere on the web for 1lb
I do it this way because I do not like 'sweet' in my coffee, but you can add splenda etc.
www.amazon.com/Foods-Whey-Protein-Isolate-100/dp/B0015AQL1Q/ref=sr_1_1

Thank you so much for posting this, Jazz!! It's just what I was looking for!! 

OP, it sounds like you have a full plate! Have you tried preparing a week's worth of food one day a week? Keep it in containers in your fridge to pack up each morning in a lunchbox/small cooler. You could freeze some things in small containers and they would still be cold when you're ready to eat/drink them.

Good luck!

Ettie,

I'm sorry this is happening to you. Whey isolate will be the best way to get in the protein, if you can. It sounds like the shakes taste like ass, but can you think of it like medicine and just chug-a-lug? Those protein shots aren't always worth much (though they are probably better than nothing).

Here are some other ideas for you.

--Eggs - make a bunch of hard-boiled or deviled eggs and always keep in your fridge or in a thermal bag with you. Pop one whenever you can. This is a very bioavailable protein.

--Milk. If you aren't Lactose intolerant, drinking a few glasses of milk a day might help you up the protein. Yes, it has carbs, but right now it seems getting in your protein any way you can is paramount.

--Bacon. For some reason I can always fit more bacon than any other protein and it's a dense amount of protein.

--Cheese. Get a soft cheese, like string cheese. The string cheeses here in the US have about 8g protein per, so if I can manage 4 a day, that's 32 grams of protein right there.

Good luck, Ettie. And do see your surgeon sooner rather than later, IMHO. Take care.

Jenna

Thank you Jenna..

eggs and bacon  I've cooked up loads and they'r ready to gooo!!!

I'm going to make a thermos of Latte with forftified milk - will make it up to around 50g of protein and drink that  thru the day rather than the crap from the hospital machine.

I'lll get babybels and stuff today.. funny they were a real staple of mine in the early days, not sure why I stopped having them.

I'm gonna call my surgeon for advice too.

Lots of great advice on the protein already, so I'll just throw in the thought that you might also be lagging on calcium and vitamin D, what with the joints hurting. Make sure you're taking your dry D every day, and lots of calcium citrate.

     I would also recommend a shout out to Vitalady Michelle, both for her knowledge and because she has such a good selection of the vitamin, supplement and protein products that work for us. Hopefully she ships to England, but even if not, she is always willing to share her knowledge with others.

Larra

Ettie-

I re-read your post, then read TAylor's, and I agree...you are in SERIOUS TROUBLE!

Not trying to alarm you, but reading your symptoms brought to mind the pictures of starving children we so often see relief organizations show on TV.

If your belly is bulging, then I'm pretty sure that your body is drawing protein from your muscles, and your abdominal wall is pretty much shot! (That's why the bellies bulge on the starving children!)  Again, not trying to alarm you, but if you don't get some medical intervention like YESTERDAY... you can DIE!

I hope when you had your DS, your surgeon emphasized that protein, water and vites are NOT optional with this surgery!

If you haven't been eating, you may have gotten to the point where your stomach cannot tolerate ANYTHING.   Again, using the starving children model, when relief workers begin feeding them, sometimes after many months without adequate food, they do so slowly...just like we began to eat food slowly immediately post-op.

IMHO...forget waiting for the doctor visit and labs...get yourself to a hospital emergency room NOW!