How do others with illness drink on Yom Kippur?

ablevaybel ↓

Thu, Sep 20 2007, 3:17 pm

I got a psak from a local rav (not my usual as he is not available) about fasting. I had a major gastrectomy and other internal surgery about 11 months ago and still do not process food either well or normally. Given that my stomach is only able to hold 80 - 90 cc at this point out, my surgeon told me presurgically that fasting was not permitted for at least the first five years post-surgically. He explained that the chief issue is that I can't store enough food or liquid to prevent dehydration without drinking or eating for more than 6 hours or so. Indeed, at just about 6 hrs of not eating, I begin to feel nauseous and faint/black out.

I explained this to the rav and he did some research. When I called him six days later, on the basis of his findings and other info, he poskened that I was not to fast because of the likelihood of medically dangerous dehydration. Well enough, but where I need help is figuring out how to drink on YK, as I have always fasted since I was young. The rav gave me the general guidelines - as little total amount as possible, as little at a time as possible at each drink - but then told me "you are on your own to figure this out as I've never had anyone else with this kin dof issue". I can probably cut down the 80 oz of water to 60 for one day. Do any of you have suggestions about how to implement this? 6 oz 10 times a day, maybe 3 oz every hour or so? Normally, I sip about 8 oz at a time.

I'm confused and would like to do my "non-fast counted as a fast" correctly. Suggestions would be so welcome!

TK

amother

Thu, Sep 20 2007, 3:23 pm

I couldnt fast one year due to a complicated, high risk pregnancy. My rav made me eat every 9 minutes a specific small amount ( I do not remember the details and exact amounts), all I remember was that it was a pain in the neck and probably easier to fast - if I were allowed! Another year, my doc arranged for IV fluids during the day.

southernbubby

Thu, Sep 20 2007, 3:39 pm

22 years ago today, I gave birth. I was told to measure a cheekful before YK (put water in one side of my mouth and spit it out and measure) and that would be my shiur (amount). I was to drink a shiur every nine minutes. I think that I waited until chatzos Ha Yom before drinking the first shiur and I believe that I drank some milk and some water. I did not eat solid food but was told that I could if I was very weak.