I was looking over my activity on Weight Loss NHS and it just stopped six months ago. That was when my
son was diagnoised with leukaemia. Like many newly diagnosed parents to children with cancer, I have spent the last six months in and out of hospital with my son. While he has been eating hospital meals, I have been eating vending machine food and multipacks of high calorie, low nutrition, snacks and drinks. I have hardly walked more than from the hospital parking lot to the ward or oncology clinic. Not very good for someone called RiverWalk - walking is my favourite activity and used to manage an hour walk along the river at least 3-5 times a week. Following my son's diagnoised, our first hospital admission was 7 weeks. Upon return home, I bought clothes in a larger size and now even those are starting to feel tight. I am constantly out of breath and see no light at the end of the tunnel. So as I sit watching my son sleep in his hospital room tonight, I am going back to basics! Week 1, day 1 tomorrow. I know the food concourse sells fruit 🍎 Perhaps not as available as the chocolates but they are there if I look closely 👀
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RiverWalk
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What an awful time you have had over the last six months. Hospital stays are bad at the best of times but to see your son going through all that he has had to endure must be so very hard. It is no surprise that you have gained weight, the right food has not been ready available. Well done for trying to put that right now.
I wish you lots of strength to continue supporting your son and to start looking after you as well. I hope things improve for you both very soon😊💐
I'm so sorry to hear about your son, I do hope that he is making good progress, what a absolutely awful time for you and your family. Praying he will make a full recovery.
So important to look after yourself RiverWalk . Sending a big hug.
Hi RiverWalk my goodness it's no wonder you are struggling bless you. Hospital vending machines are not the healthiest just when you need good food more than ever. You could try asking the catering staff in the canteen if they have something on the menu that's lower in calories they might be able to do you a salad. You must be wanting comfort foods at times given your situation too don't be too hard on yourself although I understand your desire not to gain more weight. Perhaps if you can get on the forum when your son is sleeping we can help you. I hope you are both at home for Christmas and wish you well x
I'm sorry to hear about your son being diagnoised with Leukaemia and can fully understand the kind of situation your in. My sister as bowel cancer which is now spreading to her tummy and lynph nodes and like you we are up and down to the hospital all the time. The meals at the hospital are not very healthy for us visitors so I tend to take a little packed lunch with me which is fruit, bottled water and a salad or sandwich until I can get home again. It is hard when meal time are worked around the hospital so I know where your coming from. Well done for going back to basics as that is a good starting point for you. Just take it one day at a time and if your having a bad day don't be too hard on yourself just start afresh the next day. You can do this. Take care.
My very best wishes for a happy family Christmas, I know you are going to be busy and I know only too well it’s hard to do, but try and find a bit of time to relax 😊💐
So sorry to hear, what a rubbish time you must be having. Don't be too hard on yourself. Other things are a priority at the moment.
Be kind to yourself, in our thoughts.
I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this.you are not alone. We are here if you want to chat about anything you need to. It's admirable that you can do this right now. Don't take on too much.
I am so sorry to hear of your son, and wishing him a speedy recovery x x My friends son was diagnosed with leukaemia over 8 years ago and I know they just disappeared into hospital life - He is now working and living his life and in remission
Wishing you all the best getting back on the wagon with all you are having to deal with - just take it one day at a time and don't be too hard on yourself if you have a bad food day
Thinking of you and your family and sending healing hugs x x
I hope your son is making good progress. It's not surprising you put your weight on the back burner. Good luck with your renewed efforts foodwise. Perhaps frequent walks around the hospital corridors or car park would build up your exercise. However Whatever you do I wish your son a return to health. I know how precious he must be and a mum with your strength will go a long way to helping his spirits and recovery.💐💐
Sorry to hear about your son . I hope that he will be better soon xxxxx
You mustn’t beat yourself up about putting on weight at this time & you have other much more important priorities at this time. If you can manage to eat some fruit that’s good.
You must make sure that you look after yourself too so you can look after your son.
Such a tough time for you. Love a few prayers (if that is OK) to you and your son.
Just do the best you can and we will support you all the way. It is so hard to get proper food in hospital.
Take care
I'm so sorry to hear about your son it makes lots of our problems seem insignificant against what you've been up against.
Take it easy on yourself tho, you have had a difficult time, its good that your now looking at yourself because as a family you will need to build your strength up more amd putting healthier foods in your body will help.
I wish your son, your family and especially you all the best of luck going into the new year x
I'm glad you took the time to post, RiverWalk . It must be very difficult to give any time to yourself when your son needs your support and company so much, and you want to be with him.
I don't know why hospitals do such a poor job on food but they do. Do what you can for the time being to try and hold things as they are on the weight front. For me, planning has been key and for you it must be just impossible.
You're an inspiration. I fell off the weight loss bandwagon 6 months ago too, but I have no good reason. I just wanted to binge and overeat again.
If you can get back on track with a cancer battle on your hands, then I have absolutely no excuse whatsoever. I'll be thinking of you and son the next time I feel like giving up.
Thank you, and good luck to your family. With a strong, determined mother like you, I'm confident he'll get better and go on to do great things in life.
So sorry to hear about your son. Is there anyone who could sit with him while you go for a river walk? It might help you feel better and stronger. I hope all goes well xx
Sorry to hear this, some of just do not have the words to express our thoughts and empathy for you and your son. For you however, stick in there, you have made the turn and every step will take you forward.
Try to continue logging into the forum during those quiet watchful times, its as good as a hug to read when you feel dispirited. Talk to the canteen to see if they have any family support procedures that you can slot into as regards to sensible calorie counted food. You never know. The hospital chaplains are usually a good source of info too.
Bless you and your darling son. I hope you come out of this terrible time soon. We'll all be here to support you in your weightless so don't worry. Keep things simple for the moment. Have fruit when you can and a walk in the fresh air to clear your head.
Thank you to each of you for your support last night. Today I did not walk alone! I felt that I should put in the effort to build on the advice and support given. I tried hard and it was a good day 1.
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