Stomach cancer

Hi Bispham and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm not a member of this group but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' your post back to the top of the discussion list where it'll be more easily seen. 

You could try changing the title of your post to perhaps something like "Ideas needed to help with eating and drinking" so that it catches the eyes of someone who has experience with this.

Another idea would be to also join and post this in the carers only group as you'll then connect with others who are looking after someone with cancer, and you're bound to find people there who have experienced similar problems. If this is something that you'd like to do just click on the link I've created which will take you straight to the group. You can then join and start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

Has your husband been allocated a cancer nurse specialist (CNS), sometimes known as a keyworker, yet? If so, he could have a word with him/her to explain about his difficulty eating. They may be able to refer him on to a hospital dietician. 

If you haven't looked at it already, Macmillan has a section on tips for managing eating problems that you might find useful. There is also this booklet on eating problems and cancer which you could download as it has information on common problems with eating when you have cancer and how to manage them.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

Thank you yes we have got a specialist nurse and have spoken to the dietician. Awaiting more scan and possible diagnostic laposcopy.  Trying to stay positive. joined the carers group

Hi, so sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis. I too had no symptoms and it was a big shock. I was diagnosed last November 21. 
I have heard Morphine can make you lose your appetite. Try and make food with sauces or gravy or any type of puddings. If not get some protein shakes, there are some called Ensure. Hope you haven’t got long to wait for a treatment plan for him. Have plenty of questions listed to ask his team when you have appointments. If his eating hasn’t improved ask them for help. 
Take care. 
Michele 

So sorry to hear about your husband.  This is the most stressful and frightening time.  But once you have a treatment plan, it will be easier.  Morphine can make you feel really sick, if he can manage the Esure drinks, they give all the nutrients he needs.  It might be worth giving the Specialist Nurse a call tomorrow to ask advice. 
Hope you get a clearer picture and the treatment eases his pain and symptoms.

Take care 

Thank you for your reply, pain control seems a little better , but now constipated so trying to get on top of this and then hopefully eating better. Get on thing sorted then something else. But being positive MRI Scan today and possible diagnostic laparoscopy on Thursday . Trying to take a day at a time 

It’s good that pain control is better!  I found Lactulose helped constipation.  All the pain meds and anti sickness caused side effect!

Its really hard until you know what you are dealing with! I found all the tests - MRI and laparoscopy very stressful!  The consultant said they were just trying to get all the information.  It then goes to aMulti Disciplinary Team who decide the treatment.

There’s support from Macmillan and other groups like Maggie’s can really help! 
Take care x