Diet.

FormerMember over 5 years ago

3 replies
125 subscribers
1625 views

My Dad is receiving chemotherapy for bowel cancer that has spread to his bones and lymph glands. He’s had one session but has had the second postponed due to bad side effects from the first. He will have his situation reviewed in 2 weeks to see if he’s well enough to continue. In the mean time his aim is to eat as well as he can to regain some strength. But his problem is that his tumour is obstructing his bowel so he needs an easily digestible diet. Any suggestions please?

Also, he lives abroad and doesn’t seem to be getting the greatest of treatment... would this advise be something that would be given alongside treatment if he was living here??

court over 5 years ago

Sorry to hear about your dad . To be honest we did not get a lot of help with diet but you might like to phone the helpline as they may be able to point you to some guidance you could share with your dad . Or send it to him .

One thing I found helpful as my mum’s tumour was still in place when she first had chemo , was build up drinks like Complan that you can purchase from supermarket medicine sections . They contain lots of nutrients and a few hundred calories per soup . So if she had a slice of toast and one of their soups she was having at least 400 calories in one sitting . But more importantly lots of good stuff .

I kept food nutritious but small and often as she really could not face too big a portion .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

court over 5 years ago in reply to court

Hi ,

Sorry I forgot to include the helpline number . 0808 808 0000.

take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

cmsteve over 5 years ago

I also live abroad and had similar issues but also had early surgery. I still needed added nutrients and my oncologist echoed the advice below about complan type stuff.

There is a wide range available often to body builders! Whey protein. Different strengths and can be expensive, and I had to check carefully. Luckily Via the internet I found a big pharmacy with a good team to advise me.

I didn't find it very palatable as, to me, it tastes powdery but it's a great way to build strength without

eating solids.

Tried strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. For me, vanilla was best!.

If he is not good on the web, if you want to share his city, I will dig out places where he can buy. ( in Thailand where I am, I can also but online)

Best of luck. He does need to maintain body strength. I lost 30lbs fast, and kept falling, banging my head. Emergency admission, 7 days on nutrient drip.

Steve