Mum diagnosis

Dear Franface

I’m so very sorry to read your post. Science is incredible and there is always hope and positive stories. I really really hope your mum’s stent means she can eat more and gain some weight back. Keeping everything crossed for her chemo. There are so many happy stories on here and stories of people whose cancer has reacted so well to treatment. Stay strong, we’re all here for you

x

Hi Fran

How is Mum doing now, have they started the cancer treatment yet?

I know how scary OC can be as my Husband has an OC diagnosis which also had spread to his Liver, lungs and lymphnodes, but so far, his is a positive story..  being diagnosed back in 2020. 

Is Mum managing to eat better now?

How are you?

Lowe'

Hello Lowedal, 

Thank you for your message and I'm so glad to hear that your husband has a positive story since his diagnosis despite the spread, I hope he is doing okay and I hope things continue to improve. 

What a week! She had to go into hospital unexpectedly for an emergency blood transfusion last week before she was allowed her stent because of low iron levels. Thankfully that went well. 

She had her stent put in on Thursday and despite a terrible night's sleep in hospital (they kept her in to monitor her weight), she has, for the first time in 3 months been eating more solid foods! She's had crackers, beans, mash, fish and a sausage roll which is a BIG improvement. Might not sound alot but was so good to see her actually chewing food this weekend.

Still pain occasionally from the stent which I hope is normal? We said that if she is still having troubles we will call the docs tomorrow to be on the safe side. 

The only thing that's worrying me at the moment is that she seems to be napping alot more. Just because she's usually on her feet alot and this time last year my dad was napping so much too and we are approaching a year anniversary of his death from Lymphoma - although she is nowhere near as bad as he was. Perhaps we will mention this to them too. 

Oncology appointment on the 2nd Feb to discuss treatment going on from now. 

Thank you for reading. 

Fran

Hi fran

My husband has oc, stage 4 and had his stent fitted 10 days ago. He is still quite sore now so I think your mum being sore still so soon after the procedure is normal, from my limited knowledge. I am so glad your mum is eating better, my husband has found it harder since the stent and is mainly on soup at the moment but we do know the stent was quite early in his treatment so hopefully it will improve soon.  We hope he starts chemo on the 2nd feb so hopefully your mum's won't be too long now either. Take care and stay strong x

Thank you so much x

Hello Lealan, thank you for your message and your reassurance about the pain. 

I'm sorry your husband is finding eating a little more tricky, I think every case is different and hopefully he will be able to eat more solid foods soon. Before my mum got the stent she would often have homemade soups (chicken stock, onions, garlic, cabbage, potato, celery cannellini beans - lots of stuff for nutrients) and would blend that up and she found that very yummy. With lots of cheese of course to up the calorie intake. If he's getting bored of soups we found that dunking a biscuit into tea was a nice change and manageable for my mum, as well as soft desserts and ice cream. Also, hard boiled sweets like fruit Polos and Refreshers were also good because they gave flavour and energy but didn't really involve any chewing as she was able to just suck on them. 

We also found that putting Fortisip in a porridge would help too. (I'm guessing he has been given them since I think it's quite standard?) Someone on here commented a good tip which my mum tried and loved. If you heat up one of the coffee flavour ones it's like you're at Costa! So if he's a fan of coffee maybe try that? Just wanted to share what we have done as I know it's hard to watch a loved one not be able to eat what they want. 

I'm glad his treatment is starting soon and I wish you both all the best. You take care and stay strong too. Do keep in touch. x 

Thanks, will give some of those ideas a try x

Hi I havnt read other comments but couldnt pass your story, iposted mine last night about my mum. All I can say is I'm so sorry I feel everything your going threw.