Bowel obstruction- how long

[HalfasleepChrisintheMorning]

My darling Dad is currently in hospice with oesophageal cancer metastasis to liver.
He has stopped moving his bowels and is having a lot of nausea and vomiting.
They think he probably has a bowel obstruction. He’s ok on liquids but not solids.
Any experience?
We know he hasn’t long but aren’t sure what will happen next. They have him on metoclopromide and morphine in a syringe driver and steroids also.

It sounds like with that treatment they are hoping the bowel obstruction will resolve.

Unfortunately there is no way of predicting who will respond and who won't but as a general rule if bowels aren't working in a week, the treatment isn't going to work.

Best wishes to you and your dad.

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning how is your dad now? I hope he's a bit more comfortable. Did they manage to clear it without surgery? Such a worry!

He’s more comfortable and has done a couple of poos. There would be no surgery. He’s in hospice. He’s getting towards the end of his life. It isn’t the bowel that is taking him though, it’s the cancer.