Severe Weight Loss

My father, who is 67, had a Whipple's operation in the UK in December, which was pronounced 'a success'. His surgeon managed to remove the bile duct cancer and we were very optimistic. Unfortunately, my dad is having problems eating. Some days he will eat nothing at all. He is very weak. My brother had to carry him to bed yesterday. He says he is anxious about eating as it brings on severe stomach pains and he is often, but not always, sick as a result. He now weighs 8 stone 6 pounds and this is dropping. The doctors have now said that he is too weak to withstand the chemotherapy he was to have undergone.

My brother rang yesterday to say that he thinks that he may not have long to live. I just don't believe that in 2008, someone has to die of malnutrition, especially as the cancer has been cut away. Does anyone out there have experience of such dramatic weight loss, stomach pains and lack of appetite? What foods did people find palatable, and can anyone recommend a diet that would help in building my father up?

Many thankns for reading my post,

Vicki

On 3/10/2008 VickiR wrote:

My father, who is 67, had a Whipple's operation in the UK in December, which was pronounced 'a success'. His surgeon managed to remove the bile duct cancer and we were very optimistic. Unfortunately, my dad is having problems eating. Some days he will eat nothing at all. He is very weak. My brother had to carry him to bed yesterday. He says he is anxious about eating as it brings on severe stomach pains and he is often, but not always, sick as a result. He now weighs 8 stone 6 pounds and this is dropping. The doctors have now said that he is too weak to withstand the chemotherapy he was to have undergone.

My brother rang yesterday to say that he thinks that he may not have long to live. I just don't believe that in 2008, someone has to die of malnutrition, especially as the cancer has been cut away. Does anyone out there have experience of such dramatic weight loss, stomach pains and lack of appetite? What foods did people find palatable, and can anyone recommend a diet that would help in building my father up?

Many thankns for reading my post,

Vicki

Hello Vicki,

Read your father's story. After such a huge operation, it is very difficult to eat. Everything inside your body is messed about and shocked, including your stomach and intestines.

Getting him to gain weight, is letting him eat little bits, every hour and if possible every half hour. A piece of banana, half a boiled egg, a little bit of chicken soup, one cracker with a not too sugary jam, homemade applesauce. When this is working, you can add small, light meals. It worked with my husband. He is eating allmost normal now (no meat, but the cancer couldnot be removed) and he gained his lost 10 kilo's weight back.

Good luck and all the best for your dad, you and your family.

Iris.

Vicki

Also try juicing or smoothies. You can juice veggies and fruits. Like Iris said - small bites to start. Keep him hydrated with gateraid or pedia-lite ( it's in the baby food section of your grocery store). Baby food is also a possiblity, it's just very bland, but easy to digest. You may need to add salt to it. If all eles fails ask for a P.I.C. line for IV feeding until he is able to eat on his own. Keep trying - any thind and every thing - never give up or give in.

Good luck to you and your Dad. My husband lost his battle with bile duct cancer Jan 14, 2008. I hope you and your family don't live the nightmare that we did. Stay strong and positive.

TnFisher'sWife

After my Whipples I ate yoghurt, icecream, mashed vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, protein powder in smoothies, 'Sustagen' a protein and vitamin drink. I was afraid of becoming malnourished so forced myself to eat often. I was determined to get my strength back. I had become weak from bedrest but my doctor insisted I walk to stimulate my digestive system. It took a long time before I could walk long distances again but I forced myself. I saw every day as a work day - working to get better. Everything I did was aimed at gaining my life back.

I hope you have seen the doctor about the severe stomach pain that your father experiences. Sounds like a problem. I take Ranitidine 150 mg 2x daily to reduce the amount of acid in my stomach so that the join between my stomach and jejunum does not become ulcerated. Does your father take this? What is his favourite food? You can puree anything these days.

I suggest you get doctors advice. Maybe a gastroscopy can find the problem in the stomach. I had one a few months later because I had gastric reflux and was relieved that all was ok.

All the best and keep trying

Annettebyron (Australia)