Hello, my elderly mother was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer back in January. She had radiation in February and was doing ok till June. Became unable to swallow and had a stent inserted. She has been progressively struggling to eat and is now down to about 1000 calories a day. I feel like she is wasting away. She feels ill all the time but it is an uphill struggle to get her to take codeine as prescribed recently by the GP. “Not too bad … mustn’t grumble … got to expect to be in pain” and all that.
The complexity for me is that I live outside the UK, a 10 hour flight away. I have visited twice this year, four months altogether, but I am shortly leaving again (I have a family of my own) and at a loss as to how to help her while I am away. I currently plan to be back in January. My father died a couple of years ago. My sole sibling lives at the other end of the country and is blind into the bargain!
I neither know what to say to my mom for the best nor how to get her support she needs (but doesn’t want). Having lived abroad for 20-odd years, I feel disconnected from the system here. I’m open to guidance! Thanks for reading.
Hi Neatcricket
Do you know if the medication that your Mum has been prescribed is dissolvable, it would certainly help her in being able to take it if it is.
With regards to being on 1000 calories a day, has she been prescribed with any formula drinks which help with the calorie intake, such as Fresubin or Fortisips?
Both of these prescriptions would help your Mum with her Journey.
Wishing her all the best.
Lowe'
