Catfish Sandwich and a Difficult Week Past
Do you know what a clear liquid diet is? Do you know there is something called good bacteria in your stomach? Do you know what acidophilus is? Do you know why they call it an Emergency Room if they make you wait for 4 hours before you get to see even a nurse?
These are just a few of the questions we had to ask ourselves this past week. Some knowledge was gained the hard way, some questions still remain unanswered. It all started end of last month when Siv was down with a cold and fever and went to the doctor for a check up. He was given an antibiotic called Cefuroxime(Ceftin), since he was diagnosed with an ear infection as well. Well Ceftin worked alright, but along with the bad bacteria it was supposed to kill, it also killed off the good bacteria in his stomach that aids digestion, thus causing him severe diarrhea. Siv is a person who eats a lot of questionable food, so first we thought it was just a bad hotdog he ate. But after a couple of days it got worse, we had to go back to the doctor (the same one who gave him Ceftin just 10 days ago) who thought it could be a viral infection in his stomach. So she put him on a clear liquid diet saying it should go away in a couple of days. No change in two days! Well long story short, it took another couple of visits and a trip to the ER over the weekend and some lab tests before it was established that it wasn’t any bad food he ate or virus. It was antibiotic induced which is apparently a well known cause!
For something this common, why didn’t the doctor even consider this possibility on the first visit itself? What makes us really mad is the fact that while the doctor was trying to figure out the problem, she put him on yet another antibiotic, even after we called to double check if the diarrhea listed as a side effect for the new antibiotic is going to cause any issues. It did cause issues, and he was taken off that and was given a third type of antibiotic, which luckily is finally working its magic.
The whole experience was so frustrating, but we learned a lot about bacteria in the process. For example, we can replace good bacteria in the stomach by eating yogurt containing live active cultures. Look for yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is a very friendly bacterium that protects the body against harmful bacteria, parasites, and other organisms. As it breaks down, it releases things such as hydrogen peroxide that create a toxic environment for unhealthy creatures in the body, helping to drive them out. It also plays an important role in digestion, helping to produce a number of chemicals which aid in the digestion process. There are also acidophilus supplements for lactose intolerant people.
I just wanted to share this story with all of you, in case there are others out there who don’t know anything about this, like how we were a week ago. I think if we were at least aware of such a possibility, this wouldn’t have gotten so bad! We realized that we can’t rely on the doctors to come to the right conclusion all the time, sometimes it helps to ask the right questions.
Anyway, during the whole trial he couldn’t eat much. The first few days were a clear liquid diet where he could drink only see-through liquids like stock and grape/apple/cranberry juice. Then he could move on to soft foods like jell-o and potatoes and crackers and toast. This week we started introducing more solids, but he is not supposed to take any spicy food at all, also no greens or vegetables with fiber. Now, that is a really tough diet to be on.
First solid food he had was some yogurt rice and scrambled eggs. When that didn’t cause any issue, we decided to move on to fish. The idea of just fish with salt didn’t appeal to him much. So to add some flavor I steamed the catfish filet along with some herbs and fennel and lime slices. The flavoring ingredients were discarded after the fish was steamed, and the fish was shredded and lightly sautéed in very minimal oil. It was used as a sandwich filling along with some sautéed onions. After two weeks of bland diet, the mild flavors of the fish were a gastronomic delight for him.
I had the same dish, but mine was spiced up with some pepper and crushed chili flakes. I wrapped the two filets in individual parchment paper parcels, so I could make one with spices and one without.
Steamed catfish filet just out of the parchment paper parcel.
Ingredients
For steamed fish
- 2 large catfish filets (any white fish)
- 1 large fennel sliced, both the bulb and the green leaves
- a few fresh thyme sprigs
- a few fresh parsley sprigs
- 1 fresh lime sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Method
Marinate the fish filets in a mixture of lime juice and salt. Place the individual filets in the middle of two large sheets of parchment paper. Season well with pepper. Divide the rest of the ingredients into two parts, and arrange these on top of the fish filets. Fold the parchment paper over from the long side first, fold it over, and staple to secure. Fold and twist both the short ends next, and staple to seal the ends and form a neat parcel.
Place the parcels in a steamer and steam for about 12-15 minutes. Open carefully, since the filets will be hot and there might be some steam and hot liquid inside.
I discarded the lime pieces and the tough ends of the fennel and most of the herbs and transferred my steamed filet to a non stick pan along with the liquid formed inside the parchment paper parcel. Once the liquid was dried out, I added a little bit of olive oil and shredded the filet and sauteed it till the pieces were lightly browned. The fish and caramelized onions were placed inside the tastiest bread ever – Brioche burger bun from Macrina bakery. Along with some crème fraîche and a side salad, it made a wonderful dinner.
Note: You can add some sliced ginger, sliced green chilies and soy sauce while steaming the fish. Steam it for 15 minutes, and skip the second step. It will make a great healthy dinner along with some steamed rice.
This catfish sandwich is my entry for The Sandwich Festival 2008 hosted by Anupama of Food and More.
Thank you all for the kind e-mails and concerned comments. Sorry I couldn’t respond, but I will get back to you all soon! The sun is shining again, the dark days are behind us I hope!
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Hey sweetheart… I’m sorry for the ordeal you went through. Hugs… hope Siv comes back to normal real soon.
ohoo this is d reason… hope he is recovering… theres something for you in my page…:)
What you mention is pretty common, which is why certain multivitamin capsules containing Lactobacillus are always prescribed along with strong antibiotics…Yogurt does it too, but when the gut bacteria are already depleted one needs a larger dose than what would come from yogurt…what I did not know what this graduated diet to get back to normal…both of you take care and hugs
Oh no!! What an awful experience!! hope he is back to normal now and ready to gobble up your amazing unique dishes!!
Sig, it is for the same reason why Indian doctors advice us to eat yogurt with overcooked mushy rice(rice porridge/Kanji) when we have mild diarrhea but not milk. Most Doctors here are not familiar with Indian diet and find it hard to advice us. This is the main reason, I chose an Indian pediatrician for my children. I am glad that your husband is on the fast road recovery!
Oh, Poor Siv. Hope he is getting better now. and Thanks for sharing such useful information with us Sig.
Siri
Unfortunately, this is way more common than most of us realize!! I’ve learned the hard way to just start eating lots of yogurt and/or taking probiotics even when I’m put on “safe” antibiotics. Wish Siv a very speedy recovery. Hugs to you, Sig. Hang in there! As a wise man I knew used to say, “This shall also pass.” Annoying at times, but true. Better times await you ahead!
Nice to read that siv is getting better and he is getting a break from his baby food diet! I have seen similar issues with the medics here…most of the time they dont know what they re talking…and even if they know, they make sure that, they beat around the bush , so they dont end up in trouble at the end….The field of medicine may be much advanced here, but I dont get the confidence or comfort level i feel with doctors back home, it might be a personal conclusion, still…!! And the emergency room aspect…oh i agree 200 % on that !!!
Hi Sig! Sorry to hear about Siv but glad to know he’s getting bette! Hope he gets back to normal as soon as possible!
I have an uncle who insists that the remedy for any stomach upset is freshly cut onion mixed with curds. It seems to work, too!
hey Sig, glad to know Siv is better now!
hv read on the antibiotic pills that it can cause diarrhea, it also states that it is not advisable to take meds to conteract that!!!
and yes, the dark days are definitely behind you!
Sig, good to know that now your hubby is back to normal and will soon be on the normal diet. Days like these really take a toll on us.
I do not like the docs here, atleast till now! and about the thing on ER, it touched my heart, I totally agree with you. I pray that God always keeps us all very healthy and we never have to face any docs!!
Wow!!! that was quiet informative about the bacteria…Sorry u guys had to thru so much. Good that siv is recovering… And love the Steamed Fish, the Sandwich..and most of all the picture looks gr8.
Glad to hear that he is feeling better. ER visits are a dreaded affair. I am a nurse too, so I know the waits aren’t intentional but that the volume might be too high or patients bought in by ambulance might take priority.
Doctors aren’t always right..so is is better to be an informed patient and ask the questions.
ER is dreadful visit. You feel better just during the time you have to wait !!
Good that Siv is feeling better.
Sig, sorry to hear about the ordeal. My heart goes out to Siv. Hope he’s feeling better and you are spoiling him with your food now!
glad to know siv is doing better and hopefully should be back to living and eating on the edge. I have always been sceptic to go to doctors and honestly go to them as a last resort…i feel they act first and then forget to think…hopefully this horrible incident will be soon forgotten…take care..hugs..
That sounds terrible! Glad to hear Siv is doing better. I can’t believe the doctor didn’t think of that sooner.
Hi Sig…
Nice to hear the siv is doing better now. Hope he will be fine soon to eat ur appetizing food. That was a nice sandwich, looks good. That was a nice way to infuse flavors into the fish.
Good to hear that Siv is doing much better now! I know how it feels when someone at home is sick, it really makes the whole mood very depressing- not to mention all the stuff u guys have been through. Hugs to u guys!
Antibiotics is a necessary evil. Sending good health to Siv.
I had a similar situation to deal with my little one after finishing antibotic course, had diarrhea and we were in flight back to seattle then
Hope all is well with siv. Take care.
Glad that you’ve put the ordeal behind you. For an upset stomach, we always have arrowroot powder cooked in yoghurt which instantly calms down the tummy. Well, thats grandma’s remedy. Take care!
Oh it is painful to see your loved one get ill
I am so glad that you and Siv finally found out what the cause was. Thanks for sharing this tidbit and I wish Siv a full recovery soon.
oh!! am just happy for you that the tough times are being firmly put behind you…..no wonder our parents told us to keep eating thair…no matter what we had…and i (like most kids) hated them for it!! figures!! hugs!!
get well soon wishes to Siv and hugs to you Sig
Flower):
Hey Sig, a big hug to you, girlie! Glad to know that Siv is feeling much better now. Sending you both lots of sunshine and good wishes.
hugs,
musical.
Oh dear! Hope he is lot better now. Arvind doesn’t prescribe anti-biotics at the drop of a hat like US doctors do. Even patients ask him to give it to them as soon as they have cold so they can go to work and he never does unless they have severe infection.Anti-biotic make my stomach turn too, I hate it and avoid it as long as I can.
Yogurt is great to settle the tummy, our ancestors were not fools after all!
Fish looks yum, low fat and healthy, hope he can eat that. Have a healthful weekend, hugs!:)
Sorry to hear about what Siv had to go through …
the fish burger is so yummy and healthy!
Sorry to hear about Siv’s ordeal. Hope he is back on his feet already and ready to mix and mingle something new this weekend!
catfish is my fav fish!!the sandwich looks delcious!!!
Sorry to hear about Siv’s bad health … hope he is feeling better now.
Speaking of killing bad bacteria in your stomach, a shot of good Tequila will do that job too!!
By the way, I tried out the ginger cilantro chicken wing recipe last weekend … it was fabulous. My wife and kids (and of course myself) loved it. I have some ribs thawing in the fridge right now, I think I am going to try your spicy ribs recipe this weekend. Thanks for sharing these yummy recipes.
Hey Sig, hope Siv is doing better now..Its sad that you had to go thru such a bad exp..Hope you guys are feeling good now!
Sending my wishes to Siv for a good health. Take care Sig! Have a great weekend.
Boy.. that is tough.. Good to know he is doing better. Take care you two.
Hi Sig…after a long time am here and feeling terribly sorry for your hubby…the first thing we always do when our stomachs are upset is drink loads and loads of buttermilk and be on a diet of curd rice for the day and then it vanishes !!! If you have the way of rounding off your dinner or lunch with curd rice its all the more better…helps a lot really..btw, we really cant live w/o our daily dosage of curd rice….get well soon wishes to ur hub and you tk care too….cheers
oh i hope the dark days are behind you! it must’ve been tough to be on such a strict diet. All the very best!
Good to know Siv is getting better – all’s well that ends well. I remember the time I was given a series of antibiotics back in India for continuous sneezing and runny nose, which I later found out was just a hay fever.
Glad to know he’s getting better…Good times will soon be there
Sig, Glad to hear that Siv is getting better. Visiting the emergency room is a nightmare here. (I miss the 24hrs availability of doctors back home) Hope he gets back to enjoying real food (spicy and hot). Hugs to you.
Wishing ur hub a speedy recovery!
Pls try to google on your prescriptions to be on the safer side- wd surely help a layman to better u/stand what (harm/benefits)prescribed medicines wd do to their body! Hv a nice weekend.
Hi Sig,
Am sorry u guys had a tough time.hope both of u are recovering and getting better.we had similar experiences with my little girl and antibiotics for cold and fever,made her develop a rash and sores in her butt,which had to be treated seperately.she suffered a lot with it.i accidentally found abt it from the internet,told the doctor what it is and then they stopped it and gave some external ointment.that really sucked!!
Take care Sig.
Ohh god..I hope Siv is fine now Sig..I know how it is to go to ER. We learnt the hard truth within one month of coming to US and it was a nightmare. I am so surprised to see the medical system here. I think they should change the names of ER to NER (Not an ER)
.
I wish siv a speedy recovery. You too take care dear.
hey sig .. missed you… hows siv am sure he fine now…
waiting to read one of ur lively posts buddy…
Oh-ho! thats why in India doctors always say to have curd rice whenever you take antibiotics. In India we only take 250mg. Here in U.S the minimum dosage is 500mg, much stronger. There is no concept of prevention here. They just pop up the pills.
Did know about ‘good bacteria’ and emergency room horror stories (I still live in India ). Hope he recovered quicky after that.
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