Dad feeling crap on chemo - any suggestions

[yorkiemom]

My dad has had his second lot of chemo today (he has pancreatic cancer) . Just wondewred if anyone had any suggestions to make him feel better.
His main problem is his lack of appetite. He isn't really eating very much at all, he says he's just not hungry.
When he was weighed today he has lost half a stone in just under two weeks.
It breaks my heart to see my lovely dad getting thinner and thinner. He has always had a round face, and a tummy, but now he's just so thin, his face looks so thin.
So if there's anyone out there with any idea's Id be really grateful.
Many thanks

He needs to eat little bits frequently, the complan/buildup milkshakes are also good as a snack because of the vitamins and minerals inside that he'll need for his body to function correctly. I am taking medication that stops my appetite so it can be really hard to eat. I have to force myself to eat because I know that it will make me tired and feel so much worse if I don't. I'm not having chemo or anything as toxic though. Some complimentary therapies may be able to help. I really hope he's feeling better soon.

I agree with avenanap. My Mum used to be prescribed Enlive supplement drinks, and they have a range of flavours.

Make sure he keeps his fluid intake up. My Mum wasnt careful enough with this and ended up having an emergency trip to hospital.

Hope he feels better soon and hugs for you.

Whats better than the Complan is real milkshakes made with full fat milk, clotted cream ice cream (or other cream and egg based ice cream) in some non acidic flavour. Chocolate is good as if nauseous it tastes the same up and down or in burps.

Lots of little snacks are best - cheese cubes, mini sausages - whatever tickles his fancy. Get his fave biscuits, cakes whatever in, and offer a drink and a bit of something at regular intervals.

Rather than thinking about three meals a day, just encourage him to eat lots of bits which is much easier.

Try comfort food too - things like jelly and ice cream, rice pudding (made with full fat milk and cream)

Hello yorkiemum, I and other mumnetters/mumsnetters' DHs are currently undergoing chemo and had a thread a couple of weeks ago with lots of tips on it, here

Thank you so much everyone. I am going shopping today, so will buy him loads of sweets, and some biscuits.
After what you have all said perhaps we should'nt worry if he does'nt fancy "proper" meals, and just let him snack, little and often.
Thanks again x

chemo can change the way things taste, Steve has developed a liking for sweet things, he has always had 2 sugars in his tea but now he has three or four as he can't taste it when he has two. Steves fab things are the small pots of trifle and soup, if he is given a big meal it is all too much for him and he won't even try it but given lloyd of bits then he will eat some. He finds it hard to make the effort required to eat so needs easy things that take no chewing.