Hi
Im hoping someone can help me?
My Mum was diagnosed with Oespageal Cancer last May and has received some chemo and had a stent fitted.
Shes been doing so well eating etc but she suffers really badly with phlegm that although doesnt come up its like it sits in her stomach & in the stent and so she feels sick literally all day and all night.
She has no appetite therefore and even though she is eating as much as she can manage she is consistently losing weight week on week. Shes now under 8 stone and has no energy at all.
Shes on meds for the reflux which helps but its not helping with the sickness. Shes spoken to the dietician whos trying her with different supplements to try and boost her but thats slow progress.
Is there anyone who has experienced this too and have any advice?
Im terrified were going to lose her from literally weight loss - the positive news is that her tumour is stable currently
Thanks so much
Laura x
Hi,
I can completely understand your worry about your mum.
My mum was in a similar situation with losing weight, but for the reason that her tumour is blocking her oesophagus. Her weight loss was also extreme (about 17kg lost within 3-4 months).
Before her biopsy and scan results came back she was given things like complan and fortisip, unfortunately for my mum she was only able to consume the juice version but they all work the same.
They're high in calorie and vitamins, and for the while that she took them they certainly did help with building her up a bit and giving her energy. The problem for my mum is she just couldn't consume enough of them in a day, so ended up having a stomach tube fitted, but I believe if she was able to have the recommended amount we would've seen some weight gain.
if you haven't already you should definitely ask your mums dietician if she could get a prescription of these types of drinks. It really is worth a try and they come in lots of flavours too.
Is she able to stomach thinks like smoothies? It's surprising how much you can add to those and then put in blender, might be worthwhile trying some out too.
It's great news that her tumour is stable, wishing you both all the best.
Only the doctors can say just what is causing the difficulties. She needs to continue working with the dietician.
EM23 is right about the fortisip drinks. They are 200ml bottles - not a lot. and 3/4 is enough for a full diet.
Very best of luck.
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