How fast it all changed.

[leebee]

My friend Diane did better with liquids after awhile instead of solid food. I had bariatric surgery a year ago and discovered Syntrax Nectars. They are whey protein isolate powders, have none of the "icky" aftertaste you get from soy protein isolate- and taste significantly better than the ready-to-drink protein shakes from the grocery store. They come in a variety of flavors that can be mixed with water or milk. I usually mix the "shake" flavors with almond milk and the juicy ones (grape, orange, iced tea, lemonade, etc) with water. One 8oz serving is 23g. protein. If you think this might help him, here's the website: https://www.si03.com
If you hover your mouse over the right quadrant where it says "special offer" you'll see where you can call them and order a sampler pack: 15 packets (15 different flavors), $17 (although shipping to Canada is $12, not sure where you are). I like that you can try different flavors without having to commit to the expense (and waste) of something you might not like. I make mine in a shaker cup/bottle that has a coil-ball in the bottom, so it mixes well. (I think I got this at Walmart for $8.)

ETA Slimfast also makes a Smoothie shake powder that I get at Walmart. It's pretty high in protein and the chocolate tastes great, although he might find it too "thick" for his tastes. Once again, I prefer the powder to the ready-to-drink type. I've also had the vanilla, but it's not so terrific; never tried the strawberry.

 

[mjkacmom]

Does he like soup? It’s easy to eat, my mom’s friend (3 time cancer survivor) used to bring those diagnosed with cancer all kinds of homemade soup, and it was one of a few things my mom would eat.

 

[desamnik]

I've been following along and I just wanted to say I am so sorry to hear that your family is going through this. I am sure it is very helpful to be able to record what is going on and get some feedback from people that have gone through a similar situation. I don't have any experience , but just know there is another person out there thinking of you and your family and hoping things get better soon.

 

[LSUmiss]

Thank you all. Yes, we have looked into the medical marijuana route. The oncologist said yes so we just have to get her referral to the clinic and we're good there. We do have reclining sofas, although not electronic. He can tolerate them for a couple of hours. I just got a call from the home health delivery team who are bringing something to go on top of the mattress - like an air mattress on top, so maybe that will help.

We're going to try salmon tonight, so hopefully he can tolerate that. It just seems to be a cycle between, the pain, nausea and anxiety. They feed each other an once one is a problem the dominoes seem to fall. Right now he is somewhat comfortable, so hopefully the salmon will go down ok.

Also, I know you said he doesn’t eat much in general, but make sure he doesn’t eat too much in one sitting. That was something my dad dealt with. He’d have an appetite & then eat just a normal amount & be sick & in pain all over again. They said it was b/c of the tumor in his pancreas.

 

[maxaroni]

I’ve been following as well. So very sorry to hear this news and my heart goes out to all of you.

My grandfather had stomach cancer, by the time he was diagnosed it was into other organs. This was in the late ‘70s so things have changed significantly. However, back then, Ensure was by prescription, I believe. It was full of protein and nutrients as his cancer got up into his esophagus. My point I guess is to try various liquids that he can get down. Leebee had some excellent suggestions, hopefully, you will find a few “hits” that you can vary for him.

My mom had a lot of serious health issues and bed was not comfortable at all for her. Dad got her a power lift chair that she wound up sleeping in, as well as use in the den. She was in a ton of pain and nothing touched it at all. As a PP said, fentanyl patches and such did nothing. To get any possible relief, she’d need to be on morphine to the point of then needing to be bedridden and out of it. Dad finallly got a 2nd power lift chair for the bedroom so they could be in the same room. He also contiplated getting a hospital bed.

(((HUGS)))

 

[lisaviolet]

I just got a call from the home health delivery team who are bringing something to go on top of the mattress - like an air mattress on top, so maybe that will help.

Here's hoping Rodeo.

Thinking of your entire family. It is awful to feel helpless. Hope this week, with your parents coming in and some more concrete information later in the week, will lessen the feeling of chaos for you.

 

[lifesavacation]

No words of wisdom. Just a quick note to let you know I'm thinking of you and your family.

 

[Mokat76]

In my mind right now I am using every bad word I know to condemn cancer in all its evil, cruel forms. And I know a LOT of bad words. They’d earn a lifetime ban from the Dis for sure.

Rodeo, I have no advice, just moral support. Your family remains in my prayers and my thoughts.

 

[albaker]

Oh Rodeo, I am so sorry! I am just now reading all of this.

If I can be of any help, please let me know. I have been in your shoes: my husband passed 9 years ago after his battle with Pancreatic cancer. It’s a tough road, but it sounds like you have people willing to step in and help.

First, take all the help you can get! Do not be afraid to ask for help. You need to keep your strength up too, so let someone else do some of the work to lift your load.

For your DH: I didn’t recall reading it, but ask about enzymes to help with digestion. My DH was able to have a Whipple and needed the enzymes after surgery.

For a calorie/protein booster, we used a product made by Nestle called Benecalorie. It can be added to anything (flavorless liquid) that added around 300 calories. I believe they also have a protein one. We tried Boost and some of those products, but honestly what helped my DH the most was a Wendy Frosty. Believe it or not, they have protein in them! Added the benecalorie to it as well.

Pain was a tough one to handle. His team added Ativan to take with the pain medication to help with the nausea. He eventually had a pain pump added and that gave him the best relief.

 

[LSUmiss]

Oh Rodeo, I am so sorry! I am just now reading all of this.

If I can be of any help, please let me know. I have been in your shoes: my husband passed 9 years ago after his battle with Pancreatic cancer. It’s a tough road, but it sounds like you have people willing to step in and help.

First, take all the help you can get! Do not be afraid to ask for help. You need to keep your strength up too, so let someone else do some of the work to lift your load.

For your DH: I didn’t recall reading it, but ask about enzymes to help with digestion. My DH was able to have a Whipple and needed the enzymes after surgery.

For a calorie/protein booster, we used a product made by Nestle called Benecalorie. It can be added to anything (flavorless liquid) that added around 300 calories. I believe they also have a protein one. We tried Boost and some of those products, but honestly what helped my DH the most was a Wendy Frosty. Believe it or not, they have protein in them! Added the benecalorie to it as well.

Pain was a tough one to handle. His team added Ativan to take with the pain medication to help with the nausea. He eventually had a pain pump added and that gave him the best relief.

Ativan will also help with the anxiety.

 

[rodeo65]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will try every one to see what he will like / tolerate. Some may or may not be available in Canada. Our government (special interest groups) are fairly strict that way. If I can order online I will.

I'm right there with ya mokat - and also have a pretty substantial bad vocabulary (some of the best words in several languages to boot) that I like to mix and match. It's fun.

So - reasonable evening. He managed about 1/3 of a salmon fillet and about two tablespoons of rice. He looks so gaunt now, though. He's lost 25 lbs but seems like all of it in the face, neck and shoulders. No rocking tonight, which was nice to not see. I hate seeing him so uncomfortable and knowing there is nothing I can do. He started with some anxiety so I told stories to help him through it. Disney stories. Favourite rides, trips. He does not share my love of the mouse. Hates it in fact. I said I figured if I got him irritated, he'd let go of the fears. It worked

He was given Ativan as needed in the hospital but was not sent home with an Rx. I'll be remedying that tomorrow. I think he's had two or three times he could have used it in the four days he's been home.

Oh, hey and for just a fun extra bit of excitement tonight, when I let the dogs out (we have four) there was a huge ruckus and everyone took off for the back of the yard. We live next to a forest and a block away from a ravine, so have all sorts of critters - coyote, raccoon, skunk etc... Nighttime dog duties was always DH's thing. Now it's mine. Scares the crap out of me thinking something is going to be dead in the back 40, or the dogs will have to fight something mean. I'm thinking new regime will be on leash at night. For what remains of my sanity. Fortunately tonight, no visible blood when I finally got them back in.

 

[hopemax]

Anxiety...yes, that reminds me. My Mom's care team was more than willing to put her on a low dose Xanax. And she said it helped her a lot.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

He should absolutely have a prescription for Ativan. And something stronger for nausea.

Have you tried Pepsi and/or Ginger Ale? Sometimes those can offer some relief of nausea, especially Pepsi. (Which is what pepsin was originally created for, I believe.) I know he's not getting chemo yet, but when I was getting it, sometimes that and potato chips were the only thing I could tolerate.

When he begins chemo, they will give him a few different things beforehand that will help ward off some of the side effects that chemo can have. Many of those will be IV, though, but some do have oral counterparts, like zofran. Ask about that along with the Ativan. Or compazine if they don't want to give zofran.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Anxiety...yes, that reminds me. My Mom's care team was more than willing to put her on a low dose Xanax. And she said it helped her a lot.

Ativan has the added benefit of helping with nausea, too.

 

[SirDuff]

Domperidone (need an Rx) worked well for me mum. She used it in a cocktail, I'm trying to remember exactly, but it might have been domperidone, stemtil, and ativan. I know that she used all of those drugs, but those might not have been the ones in the cocktail.

She'd take it, and we'd be sure to have food ready 30 minutes later (for her, that seemed to be peak appetite after taking the drugs). We were in Canada, so I know that all were available there.

Unfortunately, it is a lot of trail and error to figure out what combinations, at what dosages, at what timing will work best.

 

[Tikitoi]

So sorry about what your husband is going through as well as you. Thoughts are with all of you.

 

[nancygirl1]

My son was 19 when he had cancer. He had terrible nausea. None of the RX's worked. He said the only thing that worked was the marijuana. It also managed to relax him and his appetite increased because he wasn't so nauseous.

 

[sk!mom]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will try every one to see what he will like / tolerate. Some may or may not be available in Canada. Our government (special interest groups) are fairly strict that way. If I can order online I will.

I'm right there with ya mokat - and also have a pretty substantial bad vocabulary (some of the best words in several languages to boot) that I like to mix and match. It's fun.

So - reasonable evening. He managed about 1/3 of a salmon fillet and about two tablespoons of rice. He looks so gaunt now, though. He's lost 25 lbs but seems like all of it in the face, neck and shoulders. No rocking tonight, which was nice to not see. I hate seeing him so uncomfortable and knowing there is nothing I can do. He started with some anxiety so I told stories to help him through it. Disney stories. Favourite rides, trips. He does not share my love of the mouse. Hates it in fact. I said I figured if I got him irritated, he'd let go of the fears. It worked

He was given Ativan as needed in the hospital but was not sent home with an Rx. I'll be remedying that tomorrow. I think he's had two or three times he could have used it in the four days he's been home.

Oh, hey and for just a fun extra bit of excitement tonight, when I let the dogs out (we have four) there was a huge ruckus and everyone took off for the back of the yard. We live next to a forest and a block away from a ravine, so have all sorts of critters - coyote, raccoon, skunk etc... Nighttime dog duties was always DH's thing. Now it's mine. Scares the crap out of me thinking something is going to be dead in the back 40, or the dogs will have to fight something mean. I'm thinking new regime will be on leash at night. For what remains of my sanity. Fortunately tonight, no visible blood when I finally got them back in.

I'm so sorry. My DH was the same. We had to stay ahead of the pain so he kept the patches on and then the nausea was terrible. He took those meds without fail and we tried every suggestion except marijuana as it wasn't legal even with a scrip here. Ginger beer helped some. My fridge was crammed with everything he even thought he might be able to eat.

He also stayed mostly in a recliner.

For him the first round of chemo shrunk the lesions enough that the pain lessened enough to take off the pain patch and then the nausea lessened.

When he had high dose chemo at MDA, they sent him home with a portable IV pump for 10 days, anti nausea meds were part of the cocktail in it and it helped immensely. I had to monitor the pump and change the bags. It was overwhelming at the time but doable.

Continued prayers.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you today. A lot of this is so very familiar to me as my dad went through it; I can feel your struggle, and your husband's in your posts. Just know that there is always someone here to talk to you.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Ativan has the added benefit of helping with nausea, too.

As well as Xanax.