Not Eating

My dad, 81 years old, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in July.  He had 3 chemo sessions.  He ended up with an infection and has been in the hospital for almost 4 weeks now.  The doctors say his tumor has really shrunk.  He should be able to come home but he is not eating.  He has become very weak.  I have asked him if he is just wanting to give up and he says, "NO!" very forcefully.  He does not want to die.  He doesn't know why he can't eat.  The doctors say he can have whatever he wants to restore his strength.  I bring him many different things but after just 2 bites, which he chews forever, he won't eat any more.  He knows how important it is but he can't seem to do anything about it.  Has anyone had this happen?  The doctors have said there is nothing they can do now, they will just let him die.  I understand this as they can't treat him if he doesn't eat.  Can anyone help me.....quickly?

 

On 11/1/2007 tooworried wrote:

My dad, 81 years old, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in July.  He had 3 chemo sessions.  He ended up with an infection and has been in the hospital for almost 4 weeks now.  The doctors say his tumor has really shrunk.  He should be able to come home but he is not eating.  He has become very weak.  I have asked him if he is just wanting to give up and he says, "NO!" very forcefully.  He does not want to die.  He doesn't know why he can't eat.  The doctors say he can have whatever he wants to restore his strength.  I bring him many different things but after just 2 bites, which he chews forever, he won't eat any more.  He knows how important it is but he can't seem to do anything about it.  Has anyone had this happen?  The doctors have said there is nothing they can do now, they will just let him die.  I understand this as they can't treat him if he doesn't eat.  Can anyone help me.....quickly?

Why don't they put a feeding tube in to help him? He is mostly starving. I can't eat due to tongue cancer and have had a feeding tube for 29 months. I would die without it. I will most likely have it the rest of my life.

Blessing to your Dad. I will pray for him.

 

 

On 11/1/2007 tooworried wrote:

My dad, 81 years old, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in July.  He had 3 chemo sessions.  He ended up with an infection and has been in the hospital for almost 4 weeks now.  The doctors say his tumor has really shrunk.  He should be able to come home but he is not eating.  He has become very weak.  I have asked him if he is just wanting to give up and he says, "NO!" very forcefully.  He does not want to die.  He doesn't know why he can't eat.  The doctors say he can have whatever he wants to restore his strength.  I bring him many different things but after just 2 bites, which he chews forever, he won't eat any more.  He knows how important it is but he can't seem to do anything about it.  Has anyone had this happen?  The doctors have said there is nothing they can do now, they will just let him die.  I understand this as they can't treat him if he doesn't eat.  Can anyone help me.....quickly?

what about soup or chicken broth. i have cancer and the last time i was in the hospital i lost my appetite and couldnt eat anything. my children were bringing me everything but i just couldnt eat. they tried the shakes and everything but one day they gave chicken noodle soup. i didnt eat the noodles but i did drink the broth. i did this everyday and my appetite soon came back......................good luck

Thank you for your reply.  It really helps knowing others are or have gone through something similar.  I had asked the doctor about a feeding tube but they said, "It wouldn't be good for him."  I had also asked his general practioner if I could get a second opinion about his not eating and I was told if we do that, the first doctor would get mad!  Well, since then he was put in a nursing home and they drugged him with morphine for 2 days.  He ended up at ER.  We had them take him to the other hospital in town.  I figured that way we could kind of 'start over.'  They put a feeding tube down him the first day he was admitted.  He is still trying to eat on his own too but having a hard time.  At least I know he is getting a little bit of something.  Because he is 81 I'm worried all this may be too much for him.  Does it seem inconceivable that he could beat this at such an old age?  Thank you so much for your prayers.

 

 

On 11/15/2007 tooworried wrote:

Thank you for your reply.  It really helps knowing others are or have gone through something similar.  I had asked the doctor about a feeding tube but they said, "It wouldn't be good for him."  I had also asked his general practioner if I could get a second opinion about his not eating and I was told if we do that, the first doctor would get mad!  Well, since then he was put in a nursing home and they drugged him with morphine for 2 days.  He ended up at ER.  We had them take him to the other hospital in town.  I figured that way we could kind of 'start over.'  They put a feeding tube down him the first day he was admitted.  He is still trying to eat on his own too but having a hard time.  At least I know he is getting a little bit of something.  Because he is 81 I'm worried all this may be too much for him.  Does it seem inconceivable that he could beat this at such an old age?  Thank you so much for your prayers.

 

I don't know understand why a feeding tube would be bad. I haven't had a problem with mine. I would die with out it. I will keep praying for hin

Hello,

<>Sorry about your dad.  My mom is 75 and has stage 4
nsclc.  When she lost her appetite, her oncologist prescribed
Megace - an appetite stimulant.  It really did help.  She
also has a feeding tube, which has done wonders.  She was a small
lady to begin with - only 5'3" and 118 lbs, and she went down to 92
lbs.  With the combination of the megace and feeding tube, she is
at 124 lbs and doing great.  My mom's oncologist didn't have a lot
of hope when she was diagnosed in Oct 2006 - because of her weight and
age.  She's proven to him that age is state of mind, and that
you're never too old to fight!   I wish you and your family the
best.

Thank you so much for your reply.  I've been wanting to hear about an older person fighting and doing good at it.  It must have been hard to see your mom at 92lbs.  I'm not sure how much weight my dad has lost but he just looks so frail.  I have asked the doctor about Megace and he just said it wasn't for my dad.  Same thing he said about the feeding tube.  I really don't understand why not.  I'm not sure what the risks are.  The doctor said something about swelling and retaining fluid with Megace and my dad is already doing that a little bit.  I just feel like any risk would be worth it if the only option is dying. 

Thank you again.  I will be praying for your mom.