Parent labeled as non-compliant at rehab center; how can I motivate him to try?

My father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early April.  He had a stent placed in his bile duct to adddress jaundice and got an infection from that procedure.  As a result, he spent almost three weeks in the hospital fighting the infection.  He was finally released to a subacute rehabilitation center but was labeled as non-compliant while in the hospital.  He didn't want to do the breathing exercise (blow through tube) that would help prevent pneumonia (which thankfully he never got) and he was supposed to walk three times a day and barely did it once a day.  He just wanted to spend all day in bed.  Said he was always too tired.

He had massive swelling in his feet, legs, arms, hands, and stomach making the situation worse and him very uncomfortable.  He barely ate (and eating has always been one of his favorite things.)

We could not get him into any decent rehab center and he ended up in what was really a nursing home with mostly mentally challenged older patients suffering from some form of dementia.  The place was incredibly depressing and rundown.

We finally got  him into a state of the art rehab center two days ago and he is now eating a little better but still very  reluctant to do his physical therapy.

The surgeon won't operate on him until he is back to his prior full strength and able to walk without a walker and climb a flight of stairs.  Now my father was rather sedentary before his diagnosis but how can I help him try harder to do his physical therapy 2-3 times a day?  They think his tumor is small right now but growing with each passing day and I fell like we are in a rush to get him back on his feet so he can have the Whipple procedure.

I know he is not making up that he is tired all the time.  But I also see that when he really wants to, he can get up and walk (e.g. to the bathroom or to get out of a wheelchair to get back into bed). 

Has anyone ever experienced this with a loved one and have medications helped to give people more energy to get them back in shape?  I am sure he is depressed and frightened but I don't want to see him miss his chance at a possibly life-saving operation because he can't get back on his feet.  The doctors all seem to think he has it in him to recover and its up to him now to fight his way back.

~Hugs.. my dad was the same way. I was the only one that could get my dad to even sit up; we also walked. If I missed a day, he stayed in bed.

I can't stress how important it is to get him up, out of bed and at least sitting in a chair instead of the bed. At one point, my dad had fluid in his lungs; Dr told me he would not take the fluid out again.

Can you get a card writing capaigne going? Have everyone send him cards, then bring some ribbon to his room, thumb tack the ribbon on the wall & hang the cards. Print out pictures of his loved ones so he can remember who loves him.

Does anyone visit him on a regular basis?

Is there a social worker or psychologist on staff that could talk to your dad and maybe make a recommendation for an anti-depressant?  He could be depressed due to all the time in the hospital and the diagnosis...medication could take the edge off enough to help him find some motivation...some older adults are unwilling to do this but it can be such a big help...

Dear Seneca,

There are some meds that the docs can prescribe for your father to help motivate him to get out of bed, give him more energy and also perk up his appetite. 

If your state of residence allows medical marijuana, ask the docs to prescribe some for him.  It works wonders for the appetite and also helps for depression in many cases.  He shouldn't smoke it; it's much more effective in food.  If your state doesn't recognize mj, there is Marinol, a legal form of mj in pill form which is not as effective but better than nothing.

For fatigue and low energy, there is Provigil.  The docs can prescribe this as well; he shouldn't take it after 3:00 PM so he won't be kept awake at night. 

Many pc patients fight depression and anti-depressants are effective for most.  Most take at least a few weeks to work.

Some pc patients who can't eat regular food will drink smoothies made from Carnation Instant Breakfast and enhanced with fruit, protein powder, no-added sugar ice cream or other supplements.  Ensure or Boost is acceptable to some patients.

Lastly, does he have a minister who perhaps could speak with him about the importance of getting stronger so he will be able to have the life-saving Whipple surgery.  The minister could point out that the Lord is giving him this chance to save his life, that He considers him important and that He must have some further work for him to do in this life.  Does he really want to say 'No' to the Lord?

Good luck!