pchefmichele Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 My dad has Stage 4 Lung Cancer. He hasn't had a chemo treatment for about 2-3 weeks now (he was in the hospital for 9 days for issues that were corrected), so I'm not sure we can totally blame his lack of appetite on chemo. He has lost 50 pounds over the past few months and he has NO appetite now. Dr. put him on Magas. It doesn't seem to help...but we are increasing the dosage beginning today to 2 tsps. (10mil) twice a day in hopes it will do something for him. I gave him one of his favorite dishes, spaghetti, yesterday for lunch. He seemed excited to eat it. Took 3 bites and 2 bites of a garlic bread stick and said, "I can't do anymore." An hour later I gave him 3 blackberries. An hour later I gave him a cracker with tuna salad on it. About 1 hour later he ate 4 bites of a chicken pot pie. Is this what we should expect him to do or have others found ideas that work better for them. We find out Monday if they will continue chemo or stop....and it won't be because he is cured. Thank you for your advice. I am so worried about him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Michele, Lima Ohio - in my younger days, I commanded the US Army tank plant in Lima. I know your hometown well. I've known so many lung cancer patients that have an appetite problem over the years. If fact, this problem extends somewhat to all cancer patients. Chemotherapy is so disruptive of the gastrointestinal system that many suffer an eating disorder. Perhaps better said as an "eating in order" because nutrition is essential to recovery. Consultation with your dad's medical team is of course necessary. You may also consult a registered dietitian. I am fortunate enough to have married one. When I suffered, wife Martha devised a recipe that exercised every tastebud in my system. Here are the ingredients: 2 cups of whole milk, 2 cups of heavy cream, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of protein powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (the good stuff), 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract, 1 cup (or more) of crushed Oreo Brand cookies. All this goes into an ice cream machine and presto, I was (am) appetite cured! Her theory is one needs to kick start the appetite engine and ice cream for me was just the trick. Try ice cream if he relishes it. Try anything he relishes. Stay the course. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 it is hard to deal with this issue.... lots of great ideas but what we found was whenever your hungry, eat no matter what time it is..always try to stay with caloric intake to try and keep weight up also using protein powders similar to what body builders use..weight loss is good but in moderation basically...you have to keep calories and protein levels up in order to prevent Cachexia. the muscle wasting issue...that is very hard to treat.. I have done research into that subject for Friends...think smoothies and things of that nature. I used to get up at 2 or 3 am to make what ever my wife wanted in middle of the night if she did not feel like cooking.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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