AuntBerly, have you tried liquid Boost or Instant Breakfast for extra protein? The chocolate is good, and if you freeze it it tastes like ice cream. Yogurt for a snack is good for you, too. Around the time of my procedures and surgery two years ago, I also had two big deductibles to meet, plus co-pays. At the large clinic where I go, they have financial counseling that includes a program for forgiving deductibles, which I was approved for that year. (You should check into that where you go.) I'm now on Medicare, so everything is different, but my previous deductible was $250 a year starting in December and then another $250 in January 2013, plus I was supposed to pay about 10 percent of the cost of procedures and CT scans, which added up to a LOT that year. It sure takes a lot of pressure off to know you don't have to pay the deductibles.

Make your own Protein Shake with Whey Protein Powder, an Banana and a big scoop of Green Powder Drink. Very healthy and easy to go down....Boost or Ensure is NOT really Food.

If you go to a not for profit hospital or a medical school clinic, they should have some organized financial assistance. I forgot to mention that the American Cancer Society can give you a list of organizations who pay deductibles and co-pays for people with insurance.

Patient Services, Inc., is accepting GIST patients (and others) who need help. As you know, WhatNext won't post phone numbers, so go to this link to the newsletter if you would like their phone number. It's at the bottom of each page.

http://www.patientservicesinc.org/Portals/0/PSI_Winter2015_Web.pdf