Husband going downhill fast

My husband's CT scans showed improvement month over month, the best one in September, however the October CT showed the stomach tumor back.  When they went in to place the stent so that he could eat and gain some weight they saw the tumor larger than they originally thought.  Apparently since Oct 28th when the stent was placed in the stomach until now, the cancer continues to spread and he is vomitting again.  I just can't understand how things turned around so quickly.  My husband is now only 103 pounds.  They are giving him hydration every day and having him drink those high calorie shakes as much as possible.

They also want him to see the surgeon as quickly as possible, however, I don't really see much of a point, since his weight is so low that they can't give him any chemo, and they can't operate.  But they are telling us there is still hope, if only he can gain some more weight - go through the exploratory surgery and if they find that the cancer is confined to the stomach area then they can operate.  However, who knows when or if he can gain the weight and if he does isn't it possible the cancer has spread to other areas by then?  It's not like he is going to gain 10 pounds in a week. I just feel it might be a useless exercise at this stage of the game, but then again I am not a doctor.

If anyone has been down this road, please share your experiences.  He is 50 years old, dx in Jan 09 as stage 4 stomach cancer.  Has anyone recovered from this point before.  Also has anyone been on TPN.  Going on TPN might be the next plan, but I am told that it's not the best option because of possible infections.

Thanks

Maria

Could he try some of that protein powder like body builders use to gain weight?  My husband used this for a while, and he gained weight, but at the time he had mouth sores and it burned his mouth so he couldn't use it much.  It might be worth a try for your husband, though.  It is packed with calories and nutrition. 

Nancy

My Dad was put on TPN (IV FEEDING) that we gave him each night at home to gain and then maintain weight... he did not eat at all from May until October when he passed, but didn't lose a pount and when they started him on TPN in February it helped him gain enough weight to restart chemo.  He was on TPN and Chemo at the same time... when he was on the chemo pump at home he just didn't get TPN those two nights and they added to his other days.  It helped him keep up his strength too.  Toward the end he couldn't drink either and we gavve him IV fluids at home too... which helped as well.  Good luck in whatever it is you decide.

First of all, I obviously recommend you to be stong as possible as you can do. I lived the same things in my mother who I lost month. I know how faith is important in this disease but there is a strong reality that stomach cancer is so merciless.

My mom was diagnosed with signet cell ring-stomach cancer on Jan 09 and underwent 2 surgery but it didn't help. She could only lived 9 months altough two operations and 6 months chemo.I am so regretful now. If I were you, I would absolutely concentrate on the quality of life.

I forgot to tell you about TPN. My mum also used TPN. She had a port in his body which helps her for doing chemo and TPN. I am not a nurse but I learned to use this port and give TPN to my mother myself. There is a drug called 'HEPARIN'' which I used to inject through the port to clean and to avoid from infection. Only one day in a week a nurse was coming our home to change the port needle.

It really helped my mum because she wasn't even drinking a glass of water and losing at least 10 lb in a week. So, she stopped losing weight but you know as I said before, these are not to heal the patient but to incerase the quality of the life.

Hi Maria,

My husband diagnosed in Feb. 09 stage 4 stomach cancer , 53 yrs. old. It was inoperable did 6 chemo treatments, took a break from chemo to gain strength & weight back so he could start next treatment.  He felt great off chemo we even went on trip in Sept. to visit his family and when we came home he started going downhill, he never got to start the new treatment. We went on vacation Sept. 18th our 33rd. anniversary and he passed on Oct. 16th. It was very fast..  Today is his birthday he would have been 54 . This is very hard I cry everyday I miss him dearly. I am just so happy we did have that last vacation together..It meant so much to him. At the end my husband could not eat was throwing up all the time and got very weak he wasn't able to get out of bed. We did have hospice for his last 6 days with us before he passed. I am praying for you both but I would do something together even if it's a get away for a wknd.

My prayers are with you

Diane