Eating and Digestion

Hi there!

I would urge to contact the clinical nurse specialist.  It could be due various simple reasons as well. She might just need a phyloric dilation or it could just be due to constipation. 

I had various issues and its always best to contact the hospital as they have a vast knowledge in helping you when you need it the most. 

Good luck to her  its always best to deal with issues head on and get rid of this disease as best we can.

Take care,

Rf2k18 

Thanks for the response. Lorraine assures me that she will speak to her nurse after the weekend. In so many ways she appears ok but sufferers from nueropathy in her hands and feet and really struggles with eating. 

Steve

I hope she had contact nurse and seek for medical attention and advise along this challenges journey. Moreover at this pandemic time, think positively and learn to be patient with calm to handle her situation. 

I wish both of you in good faith and speedy recovery for your wife.

Thank you.

Lorraine spoke to the nurse and they are going to refer her to a dietitian. She was eating normally after her chemotherapy but it is now a real challenge. It's pretty much a diet of scrambled egg or soups anything else causes pain and she starts to bring up bile. So difficult seeing her like this.

Steve.

Hey Steve, 

Sorry I did not join the conversation earlier it is a very busy time for me at present, but I wanted to let both yourself and Lorraine know that I often think of you.

How is Lorraine doing at the moment, it seems a review scan may be needed to see what is happening?

I would also maybe consider the other treatments , maybe there are trial drugs that will help her... I know it is not the same for everyone though and this must be such a worrying time for you.

How are you coping?

Lowe'

Hi Lowe,                                                          Good to hear from you. As well as the obvious concern I just feel confused. The oncology nurse says it is unlikely that the cancer has grown to the extent where it would cause these digestion problems so they seem to  think its extreme acid reflux. She was prescribed anti acid etc but where Lorraine struggles to eat and is frequently bringing up bile her anxiety is huge when she knows she will have try to eat. I would say in the last few weeks she has developed an eating anxiety disorder . Her next CT scan is at the start of September but between her nueropathy from the chemo and the constant severe digestion  problems she isn't able to do much and does get depressed. I feel we need more support but I dont really know who to turn to. It's fantastic that the cancer is stable but she still seems to be in a downward spiral.                                                                                                              I appreciate your busy and it is great the work and contributions you make on this site.                                                                                                                                            I hope all is good with Dal.                                                                                                    Steve.       

Steve

Can you ask for lansoprazole 30mg orodispersible tablets for Lorraine, Dal takes one a day, they can be left to melt on the tongue or be dissolved in a small amount of water. 

I know that sometimes Dal still gets food stuck and he is physically sick to dislodge the blockage, so I understand Lorraine's concern's, the sheer fear of what happens with food in her system must be extremely frightening.

Can you call the Macmillan helpline on Lorraine's behalf?  Has she been offered community counselling, it may help?

I am really sorry things are tough at the moment, but Macmillan may be able to help you guys if you make the call to them, alternatively, I can ask the team to get in touch with you, but would need your permission, what ever is best for you both.

Take Care, 

Lowe'

 Lowe   

Thanks for the response, as I've mentioned before Lorraine is in some denial about where she is with the cancer which makes it difficult for me. I will speak to Macmillan on Monday.

She is on quite a bit of medication for the pain she gets when eating I will have to check what it is called.

I guess what I find puzzling is how well she could eat after her courses of chemotherapy to where she is now. 

I wonder why that would get worse, I'm assuming it must be damage caused by the OC itself ?

She is also getting pain in her upper back, I dont know if this is also a side effect of the OC or she just has a bad back.

She was diagnosed in Aug 2020 so we are a year down the line now.

Thanks again

Steve