Oesophageal cancer

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I recently posted saying my mum has been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and has spread to her liver and lymph nodes. They won’t operate and is having palliative chemo. She has had her first session of chemo via drip now on tablets. She is having great difficulty eating as she doesn’t feel hungry and constantly has a dry mouth and a nasty taste all the time. She can only eat soups, smoothies and build up drinks but only small amounts. She is also feeling sick.  She is also having trouble quenching her thirst as she can’t have anything cold or anything with orange or grapefruit in. Has anyone got any ideas please.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Only thing I can suggest Karen is for the horrible mouth taste. Biotene toothpaste /mouthwash. Also fresh pineapple. 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I'm sorry to hear about your mum's diagnosis Karen. I had a similar diagnosis recently and started chemo in September. I am having Oxaliplatin via drip and Capecitabine via tablets. The Oxaliplatin causes the sensitivity to cold in the days after it has been given, so I usually either have hot drinks or add some hot water to them (I make the complan shakes with full fat milk, and then top up wit a bit of hot water from the kettle). I find the Pukka Turmeric tea very good.  For my first cycle, the sensitivity to cold and the horrible taste lasted 5-6 days, and a little longer for the second cycle, so I did find that it got better over the cycle.  I also found that adding elderflower cordial to water makes it much easier to drink when the nasty taste is there, I was surprised how much it got rid of the horrible taste. I hope your mum finds something that helps her eat and drink more, and that the treatment goes well for her.