Getting DM some nutrition- how?

[partystress]

DM has multiple tumours, not clear where the primary is, could be secondary breast cancers. She has gone from being fit and active to being almost bed bound in just a few weeks. No pain yet, thank goodness, but she is literally eating nothing, and so she is terribly weak.

She has all the drinks and supplements but can't manage any of them. I've asked about some kind of drip, but apparently not possible because she is diabetic. Hospice at home suggested oral thrush treatment, but she couldn't bear the thought of liquid medicine (she is managing tablets ok).

Just desperate for her to perk up and have the energy to see friends and family in the time she has left. Any success stories where this has turned round?

I'm so sorry that your mother is so unwell.

We went through the same a few years ago.

To be honest, losing the desire/will to eat is part of the later stages of the process.

The body begins to shut down, and people just don't feel hunger as they used to.

With my mother, there'd be an occasional request for some long forgotten food, but she'd only eat a mouthful. It was a comfort thing, rather than a nutritional one.

Also, if/when cachexia is present, all the food in the world won't make a difference.

It's different obviously if your mother is hungry but finds eating uncomfortable. Her nurses should be able to help in that case.

Thank you For replying. Have been off here for a while. Hospice is going to prescribe artificial saliva and steroids to try to make eating easier and restore a bit of appetite, but I feel like you're right and this is everything shutting down. Very hard to watch.