Advanced cancer and nutrition

[VictorHugo]

My friend has late stage cancer and is unable to eat without being sick.

He is in hospital on a drip at the moment but I don't know how long they can keep him going like this.

We don't know whether the cancer has spread and is causing this, but it seems likely.

Can someone get past this kind of symptom and keep going, or is this a sign that there isn't much longer to go?

I am anxious as I would like to visit but not sure what it means and how much time we have left.
He was going to take part in a drug trial but I think this is off due to him being so poorly.

Really sorry to hear about this. What kind of cancer does your friend have? Both my DH and my Dad had cancer of the oesophagus and suffered eating problems. Dad ended up unable to swallow at all and had to be fed through a stomach tube. He lived for about three months with the tube feeding. DH was able to swallow but had a very restricted died. I can give you lots of advice on taking in calories and keeping the weight on but only if the patient is able to keep something down.

Not sure what to advise about the visiting. DH loved to see people, especially after he gave up work and was at home all the time. However, sometimes he was just too tired or too poorly so I did occasionally have to ask people to stay away. Can you ask your friend's family if he/she is up to visitors?

Thankyou Mummydoit and sorry you have experience in this situation.

He has melanoma which we know has metastasised, but not had a scan for a few months so not sure how far it has gone.

I am worried in case this indicates the liver or bowel are involved, etc. as he has stopped treatment over a month ago and it can't be blamed on that any more.

I will check about visiting before I go. Thanks again for offering your advice.
I think he can eat and wants to eat but only if he has anti sickness medication, and I'm not sure how long that will work for.

He has lost so much weight.

Has the hospital dietician been involved? When DH was at his worst, he could only swallow liquids. He was given special drinks which are a meal in themselves. Like Complan only more calories and more nutricious. The ones he had were called Ensure though there are plenty of others on the market. They're available on prescription so your friend's doctor should be able to sort them out. There's also a tasteless powder called Maxijul which can be added to food and drink which adds extra calories. Another trick is to fortify milk by mixing two tablespoons of dried skimmed milk powder into a pint of ordinary milk. Again, it adds extra calories without changing the taste.

If your friend is able to take any food at all, the best thing to do is to do the opposite of normal healthy eating rules. Cook everything with butter, add cream to everything, put extra sugar in things. Anything to add calories and keep the weight on. My Dad lived for five years after his initial diagnosis (which only gave him six months) and we think a lot of it was down to the fact that he was able to eat well until the last few months.

Best wishes to you and your friend.

Thankyou very much...I suspect they will be given some nutritional advice by the hospital but tbh they are trying to follow a special alkaline diet as recommended by another doctor, so it isn't going to sit well with them if he has to have extra calories in the form of sugar etc. But if it is a question of survival I suppose there isn't much choice.

It seems like an awful situation and I can't imagine what it must be like.

Thanks again, you have been really kind to share your experience.

,been in this place myself.

thankyou and sorry others have been there,

I sort of wish I knew how long we have got, but part of me doesn't want to know.

It's horrible isn't it. Hopefully they will get the anti emetic sorted out and that will help for a while.