Irisheyes Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 I am back from visiting my dad for the past week and learned today that his doctor is skipping his chemo because dad has lost 25lbs the past 2 weeks, already could not afford to lose. He is down to 141, normal weight is around 195. He can't eat, tough time swallowing and taste is gone. I will drive back up (I'm in Atlanta, he's in St. Louis) on Sun. to help get him to his radiation appts. next week. Any advice on eating and also on how skipping a treatment impacts his overall treatment plan. This was his 3rd wk in a 6 wk schedule. I feel like I am watching him slip away from me and not able to do anything for him. Shannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 He has to take in nourishment and fluids by some means. Liquids or soft foods like ice cream, Smoothies, Frosties, blender shakes, yogurt, Ensure, Boost, might be tried. Feed every two to three hours in small doses instead of three squares. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethluvswill13 Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 Shannon-Im so sorry to hear about your dad.I'll keep ya'll in prayer. Try to make sure he drinks as much as possible and I hope he gets to feeling better real soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 My mom had severe throat pain from the radiation too, but she was hungry. Is your dad hungry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battleofbrooklyn Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 She had to delay her first-line chemo (Cisplatin/Etoposide) a couple of times -- once after she developed a fever and once for dehydration/weakness. My understanding is that it's not uncommon for this to happen, and in her case, the chemo kept working just fine (though she did relapse after treatment was finished). Because chemo is so toxic, it can do more harm than good if the body is too battered to deal with it. As for radiation, my mom is just about to finish two weeks worth and she's also lost her appetite -- for the first time since she was diagnosed. Don't laugh, but I found that nagging her to eat is helpful. She'll choke down some toast or a banana just to shut me up. She's also starting Ensure at doc's suggestion. Hopefully your dad's loss of appetite is just temporary. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethluvswill13 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Shannon- just let him drink when he can't eat. Just make sure he drinks plenty of fluids. I'll be praying for ya'll and I hope things get better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 comfort foods.. casseroles. small portions of course. peanut butter crackers. boiled egg mac and cheese mashed potatoes and whatever on top. graham crackers. small portions of variety throughout the day. a nibble here a nibble there...all adds up. anything caloric. Anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Shannon, You akready have a good choice for the food. Skipping a chemo treatment do not affect the result as it will resume soon. Good luck and have a good visit with your father. Hugs Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eppie Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Ask for an appetite enhancer. My dad is now taking megace. He's back to eating more like normal than less than normal. The advice given here is good. Much love, eppie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irisheyes Posted January 5, 2006 Author Share Posted January 5, 2006 Dad is not hungry and basically refuses to eat, more like he puts it off, "just let me rest right now". He was put on Megesperol, the pill form yesterday. I have shared your stories with my stepmom since I am not there right now and told her she will just have to stay on him. She is not real comfortable with that I can tell where I am more like my dad, more blunt and straight to the point and my husband would say quite assertive. I am trying to convince her that we just don't have a choice. His radiation oncologist commented on his rapid deterioration the past two weeks and I don't believe dad is thinking clearly at all or able to make sound decisions. Other than just staying on him is there anything else we can do? Thanks again, Shannon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 Shannon I am praying that the Megesperol will do the trick with regaining your father's appetite. I know that during treatment Keith wouldn't eat because he felt like crap, and most foods made him nauseous just by the smell. He was also too tired to eat, just wanted to rest. I agree with all that was said before me about making sure your father remains hydrated, and eats something no matter what it is. A little something is better than nothing, fattening junk food is much better than no calories and losing weight. I've heard from many people and I know it was very true with Keith that ice cream was very soothing to his stomach and easy for him to get down. There was a time when he was eating 2-4 chocolate and strawberry shakes a day. Don't worry about missing a treatment. The chemo he had previously is still in his system working, and he will be back on the next treatment before its effects are out of his body. My husband has missed about 4 scheduled treatments at different cycles and stages generally due to low blood counts. It doesn't help to take chemo when the body is too weak to support it. I will be praying for your dad, and hope he puts on some much needed pudge as quickly as he lost it previously. I know in my case I gain weight ten times as fast as I can lose it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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