From Debbie L., Child's Age 10 - 01/30/07 - IP#: 72.154.199.xxx Click here to reply
My son is two years off treatment for leukemia. During treatment, he was on steroids. He ballooned in weight during treatment, but the steroids made him hungry, and the oncologists wanted him to bulk up to withstand the chemo. Now he is off chemo, and his weight continues to go up. He is not quite 5 feet tall and he weighs 152 lbs. He is ridiculed every day at school, and crys often about his weight. I've switched to lo-cal bread, 2 percent milk, snacks with less than 2 percent fat grams, and offer fruit with meals. He continues to gain. He plays basketball, had P.E. twice a week at school, and it seems that nothing helps. He gets disgusted and I don't harp on him, but he won't take the initiative to cut back on what he eats. He's been swapping his lower calorie snacks with school mates, for their fattening ones. I pack his lunch most of the week, but on days he wished to eat at school, he goes thru the lunch line twice. What do I do?
Reply from Marlena, Child's Age 15 - 02/06/07 - IP#: 207.43.104.xxx The only advice I can offer is about the school lunches. My son, 15- 200 lbs. would buy 2 meals or extras at lunch. He would eat breakfast at home, and then go eat at school as well. I took matters into my own hands and called the school. I requested that they put in their lunch computer that he is not allowed to get breakfast or extras, and that he is only allowed 1 lunch daily. I'm sorry to hear about your son's health condition. I'm sure it makes it difficult for you to "bug" him about his weight. Good luck with everything.
Reply from joe, Child's Age 14 - 02/02/07 - IP#: 66.91.90.xxx You should talk to your son's doctors. He isn't the only youngster who put on weight because of the treatment for cancer. Does he have psychological issues related to the cancer treatment? The oncologist might be able to help there, too. I'm sorry if what I say next sounds blunt, but the main thing is that he's alive and a cancer survivor now, whether he's overweight or not
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 9 - 01/31/07 - IP#: 206.154.58.xxx 1st don't send enough money for him to go thru twice, also talk to the school and tell them he isn't allowed second meals. Read my post below on the calorie count of our elementary school meals, ours are outrageous, check yours out. Talk with his doctor also to see what they suggest. Talk with him, without critizing, he has to want to lose weight. Eliminate all unhealthy food and drinks from your house, make this a family journey. Best of luck, I am glad he is doing better with his health.
