I lost my mom to that shitty disease..I don’t know what else to say but
Hang in there

I am so sorry you are having to deal with it all.
I would suggest some things that might help your overwrought immune system. Perhaps you could manage a smoothie made with real Greek yogurt, banana, some pure fruit juice, and frozen fruit (berries, mango, cherries, etc. are good options) and a small bit of pure local honey. Blend away and drink!
I did this when I had an awful autoimmune flare that knocked 40 lbs off my normal sized frame and had me hospitalized a few times during. The drugs they prescribe are so hard on the gut. You need to get it calmed down and then eat things like eggs and toasted sourdough bread with butter, miso soup, and whatever else is appealing to you. Dark chocolate is nice, too.
Meanwhile, love to you today!

Most of the stuff (chiobani, etc.) that are marketed as greek yogurts use lots of lecithin, guar bean gum, carageenan, etc. Our guts aren't designed to handle that.

My last trip to the hospital they fed me so much un-natural food I just didn't eat. Artificial sweeteners, fake yogurts, fake scrambled eggs, salt substitute (and my potassium levels tend to be high.)

Ditto for ice cream. Most of the name brands have candy flavors now. Yechhhhh. Whatever happened to real ice cream?
I make ours. I make our butter, too. I have sourdough starter in the fridge and make all our breads and buns with natural flours. Even the cinnamon buns!
We grow herbs in pots and use them liberally.
Whole, real foods.
Much love and appreciation to you on Valentine's Day!

So sorry that you are suffering so!

Depending on what you can tolerate food-wise, go with some saturated fats and SOME starch-like things, potatoes with meat and gravy, some solid veggies with it like carrots or whatever you like. You need rich calories so go with real foods, use butter on things. Those will help.


Also, best to eat a little several times than eating a lot a couple times a day. Take to nibbling on stuff throughout the day, take plenty of clear fluids like water and tea.

You are loved.
Fattening up is what I work at (back up to 96 this a.m.)
What started working:
Fruit and whole milk yogurt smoothies, every afternoon (easily blended at home)
Cheese toast early, breakfast bowl later (beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, chili, leftovers)
Sweet potatoes doused in maple syrup
Pistachios, cashews, and walnuts for snacking

Keeping you in my pleas to the universe.

I agree with pandr32 and 2naSalit on the type of foods you could consume to gain some of that weight back.

Love and hugs to you. ❤️❤️❤️

Maybe ice cream would be a good thing to add, it shouldn't be hard on the digestive system and is delicious on top of it all.

Here's a recipe of mine that might help you put on some weight, I have to limit myself in eating it as it does add to my weight if I'm not careful.

Homemade goulash

2 pounds lean hamburger
2 tbsps olive oil
canned or fresh mushrooms ( I don't measure, I just add as much as I think works)
2 tbsps minced garlic
1 medium chopped onion
Homemade beef gravy
Montreal Steak Spice to taste

Heat the olive oil, add the garlic, onions and mushrooms in a large frying pan with high sides, cook until soft.
Add the hamburger and continue to cook at medium heat until the hamburger is completely cooked.
While you are cooking the hamburger, make your homemade gravy;

Gravy recipe

2 cups beef broth with reduced salt
mixed flour and water ( I put 2 - 3 tablespoons of flour in a jar, add just enough water to make a nice mix and then shake it until it is completely mixed, add more water if needed so it isn't too thick.)
2 - 3 drops of Kitchen Bouquet

Bring the beef broth to a boil, add the flour and water mixture a little at a time stirring vigorously until it makes a nice gravy, not too thin or thick, add the Kitchen Bouquet and stir. Add warm water a little at a time if gravy is too thick and reduce heat to cook until the hamburger mixture is ready.

Add the gravy to the hamburger mixture, stir in the steak spice and cook at a reduced heat for about 15 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes made with butter and whole milk.

It is delicious and my grandchildren love it.

I was told to increase my proteins when my weight bottomed out during treatment.

Things done. Also, he still goes to a variety of doctors every week Be strong my friend

I hope things get better soon sending you hugs and good wishes.

Juno

Also more carbs. Healthy ones for sure, but more.

through. Sending you strength for this journey and lots of hugs. I hope for the best treatment and outcome.

My dietitian friend suggests Ensure or the equivalent with a scoop or two of ice cream to make a tasty shake. This gives you the calories plus nutrients. My best to you. My heart is with you.

I'm just so sorry this is your today. I hope you have good people all around you for hugs and humor whenever possible. 💜

Be gentle with yourself - glad there is good news

My friend with throat cancer drank Ensure to put on weight.

Good luck, amigo!

tumor shrinkage, and health-improving remission. As to suggestions re: foods, I would strongly suggest a consultation with a nurse/dietician who can design an eating program that will take into account your current and future needs--including if soft or liquid diet might be needed intermittently. But, healing and recovery are really influenced by nutrition, so those fruit, vegetables, lean meats and yes, probiotics (e.g., yogurt or other fermented foods)--and as minimal processed a diet as possible--are really important. If necessary all can be blended. If you can buy the produce and thoroughly scrub yourself, followed by a lemon juice rinse, you may well be protecting yourself from a lot of food-borne bacteria seen in recent years in packaged salads. You certainly don't need to risk that.

I wish you all the best, KS Toronado. Please keep us apprised and know that we are sending healing thoughts to you.

Likewise, I'd love for this pups energy and vigor to come your way!

And don't forget dessert. Pecan pie is a real calorie bomb!

The above will get you over 10,000 calories for the day, easy.

I love calorie rich food. I was on chemo for 7 months and never lost a pound.

I'm so sorry this is happening. Here's a good site with suggestions for putting some weight back on.

https://www.mskcc.org/news/expert-tips-adding-calories-and-overcoming-appetite-loss-during-cancer-treatment

Sending healing vibes your way.

I hope some of the many suggestions already posted will be of benefit. Wishing you strength and courage.

I amazed at how strong you are in handling this. I'm not sure how I would handle it. Stay strong and find as much joy as you can.

So scary. It’s good we live in the 21st century. Hopefully one of these new treatments will be successful for you.

I don’t have any great suggestions for weight gain other than high calorie fats and carbs. ❤️

Best wishes and warm hugs.

It must be a very disconcerting and scary time for you and your family. Stay strong!

the cancer has gone to your nasal passages, why isn't he alarmed by bloody mucus? Get a referral to a major cancer center like MD Anderson or Memorial Sloan Kettering ASAP. Talk to someone at SPOHNC (800-377-0928). Oral cancer isn't something to dink around with. I know as I'm a 17 year survivor of Stage IV tonsil cancer.

Mashed potatoes. Really any potatoes you love. Peanut butter. Whole grain bread. Cheese. Milkshake.

Marijuana to make and keep you hungry.

I'm so sorry this happened.

I have no weight gain ideas, but I have so much care for you in my heart.

Take extra good care of yourself.

You are so very loved and admired.

go for a high protein diet, supplemented with fats. Like nuts and avocado. Smoothies. Apples with peanut butter.

Keep going……

I would also focus on adding muscle.

Not knowing anything about you other than this post ...
maybe it means walking around the block
maybe 2# hand weights
march in place
getting out of a chair, sit back down, get back up again 3-4 times.
moving around in a pool or therapy pool (which might even be covered by insurance if prescribed)
stretching (gently and only if you know how to do it without injuring yourself)
maybe something more substantial
It all depends on whether you were an exerciser before the treatment.

When adding weight, better it include at least some muscle. Movement nourishes the body with nutrients in the blood (protein, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and oxygen). Also, good for the mind, mood, neurotransmitters.

Again, I know nothing about you. If this advice is impractical, I apologize.

Sorry life has not been treating you well, getting a bug while getting tested - sheesh!!

When my dad was going through his cancer ordeal he found the yogurt blended with fresh fruit was the only thing he tolerated. Hope it works for you too!!

Hugs and healing prayers my friend!!

Last edited Sat Feb 14, 2026, 05:08 PM - Edit history (1)

Back to healing real quick. All the suggestion previous have been good.

I'd like to add bone broth homemade if possible. Get some beef soup bones , a can of beef broth and add salt and pepper, carrots, onions and celery and cook with water for a couple of hours. Drink or have with saltine crackers. You can make a chicken one too the same way. (I usually add a half cup or so of Morgan David Elderberry wine to my beef broth)

By the way if you don't feel like chopping the veggies, don't leave them whole, doesn't really matter. Another aside cooked celery is very good for you backed, boiled, roasted all good. Its nutrient-dense and low-calorie , providing high fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and K

Do you like desserts? If you aren't diabetic or prediabetic, you can indulge a little more. Weight-gain diets can be tricky because you don't want to cheat yourself of healthy healing foods in exchange for gaining weight either. A lot of good suggestions above.

Don't lose your spirit and keep givin' em hell!

I've lost 25 lbs in last 9 months down from 145 to 120. I am having some success with very high calorie Boost
Over 500 calories per drink. Tastes good but drink slowly. It has made me nauseous if I drink to fast.
Best of luck to you

You’re a treasure here KS.

Ice Cream …full fat…and cake or pie.

I wish I had some inspiring and hopeful suggestions, but you are dealing with a type of cancer I know nothing about.

For weight gain, you could try drinking several shakes each day by Ensure, Boost, etc.

We are here 24/7 if you need to talk or just rant!

When I was running marathons (decades ago ...) I liked pasta and would add in lean chicken and peas for protein. My very favorite was always my mom's tuna casserole, with cheddar cheese topping it all. Carbs and dairy should do it. Cheese and peanut butter are 2 things I've always liked that my doctors are not thrilled about (now, after having children, my weight is much higher than it used to be). My running was done when I was diagnosed with arthritis, and then I had a major blood clot 5 years later. So, I've had my share of doctors as well & still see the hematologist annually. I really hope they are able to successfully treat your cancer.

My son has been dealing adnoid cystic carcinoma for years. Sounds like your cancer has infiltrated similar areas as his did.
He finds that foods like ice cream, mac and cheese and fish (sashimi) helped him keep his weight up. He has trouble swallowing due to surgeries and radiation so these type of foods are easier for him to swallow.
Stay strong and if you need to vent feel free to pm me.

To contend with. When I was a beanstalk kid, I loaded up on baked potatoes to fill out, but I remained skinny. As an adult I learned that it is the baked potato toppings (butter, sour cream,crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chives) that would have filled me out. I hope you find something that tickles your palette. You have all my best wishes for your health.

I waited 5+ months before treatment for neck cancer
they removed the lymph nodes first and then 7 weeks of radiation
that was 10 years ago
it takes a lot of energy to keep up with the appointments and treatments
diet is very important for you now - don't eat junk if possible
no sugar in anything, no simple carbs if possible
sweet = fruit and organic if possible
finally your attitude is everything - no matter how hard, drive the negative thoughts out as soon as they show up
https://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/search/g/cancer?filter=download&0.8060443387476632

Any good brand with all natural ingredients. It's healthy, easy to eat, and will give you a lift and add a few pounds. I also prayed for your recovery. Keep us informed.

I could list some fattening Aussie food but you wouldn't know what it was. Take care, stay strong. Best wishes

Will put the pounds on.
I'm so sorry to hear you're having this in your life.
I hope you get some relief soon.
I look forward to your posts every morning.
You bring smiles and laughter every day.
Thank You So Much for being you.
I'm sending you all of my best wishes for your health and happiness.

Dammit. If it isn't one thing it's another. Crossing fingers the new scripts will help.

you are looking to gain weight while maintaining as healthy a diet as you can. Otherwise, just follow my first sentence and if you want and can eat a double cheese, double meat pizza for instance, go for it!
You are in my prayers.

Before I start, let me say that I feel so bad for you. There was a time when I was very ill and couldn't gain weight, but I can't imagine how bad it would have been to have that problem AND cancer on top of it.

I don't see how the doctors expect you to gain weight, when your body is under so much constant stress. However, I will chime in with some suggestions, in the hope that they will help.

Peanut butter, preferably natural or organic, is excellent for weight gain. Sumo wrestlers keep their weight up by eating a great deal of white rice. Pasta is also good for weight gain. But please make sure that you eat more than just foods to make you gain weight. It's always important to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, especially when you are ill.

I wouldn't recommend eating a lot of junk food, because even if it did cause weight gain, it would stress out your body more. You are already having enough problems with the stress of cancer and the cancer treatments.

Wishing you all the best ❤️❤️❤️❤️

It’s such a drag to be sick. So much struggling and suffering. Let yourself feel those for a moment then bring your self back to a state of peace. This is a real sanity saver.

Love, CP ☁️☁️ So many hugs to you

and took time off. I noticed being another Kansas DU member you were gone. Then you were back and I was hoping it all went well,in remission. I didn't want to ask you about it,just hoped.

That totally sucks! I'm really sorry you are dealing with this. I hope they take a more aggressive approach and get you better.

Cheesecake, lots of cheesecake will add pounds.

I toss in frozen bananas for good measure but you do you. Nut butters (your choice) and full fat dairy helped put some weight back on me before this current round of chemo started.

If they're to your fancy it's worth a try.

Beyond that, my heart is with you. Keep a positive attitude as much as you can and focus on the good moments of each and every day. ❤️