Lack Of Eating

NZ Son 1 month ago

2 replies
183 subscribers
208 views

Hey everyone. Am.very new to this page and just seeking some advice. My father has had been told by our doctor that he has colon cancer, still awaiting the call from the specialists to go for scans and see the extent of it. At the moment my Dad is losing weight rapidly and is really struggling to eat, say a small piece of broccoli fills him up. Has anyone tried different foods or ways of eating to help him get more food down. Very lacking in energy.

Thanks everybody, it's awesome to see a page like this with people going through or who have been through similar circumstances. It's very new and there is alot to learn.

Peter E 1 month ago

Hi NZ Son

Ensure 2cal is a tried and tested supplement for cancer patients, taken orally or through a feeding tube, available online or via prescription, each 200ml bottle provides circa 400 cals....speak to Dad's CNS?

Peter

Susan13 1 month ago

Throughout my journey I have struggled with low appetite and inability to eat more than a bite or 2 in a sitting. It is miserable and your dad has all my sympathy. Unfortunately I did not handle it well and my doctors and I believe my lack of nutrition made my journey harder than it needed to be. So you are right to be concerned.

My advice is based on my experience. Hopefully it is helpful

Try protein drinks and prepared nutritional supplements. (I am US based so I don't know what brands are available to you, others can advise). He may not be able to drink the whole thing in a go but just save in fridge and drink more later. Or try sipping on it slowly over a long period. It will probably mean he misses some meals due to feeling full but he got more calories and nutrition than that 1 or 2 bite meal would have provided anyway.

I did find that I was able to eat more frequently. So after he fills up, try again in an hour or so. Even if it is 1 bite an hour, it's better than nothing. Eating may become almost a full time job but it is critical to his healing so it has to be done.

I was advised that protein is the most critical thing to healing so try to emphasize that. Take a multivitamin to address missing fruits and vegetables. I resisted this advice to my detriment. Yes, real food is better than a vitamin pill, but if his food intake is insufficient to meet all of his nutritional needs then something will be sacrificed and it can't be protein.

I'd suggest talking to a nutritionist for more advice.

Good luck! I hope your father's appetite returns soon. I know how hard it is.