My father has cancer

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racherb1
racherb1 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
My father had his first chemo treatment on Thursday morning and I understand that he will be tired and nautious. He has no desire to eat and he is not taking his medication for anti nausia because he said he does not want to eat. I called his doctor on Saturday morning and he has not called me back. My father has only eaten a few bites of food since Friday and he is not drinking anything either. Is this normal after the first chemo treatment.

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #3
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    unknown said:

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    Dehydration
    Hello and welcome. I agree with Sherri. Your dad is most definitely dhydrated. He needs to get admitted into the hospital immediately. Without food or drink for that many days is NOT normal. If the dr does not call back, take him to the ER. This is not a normal reaction to chemo. He does need to take the anti nausea meds around the clock, so the nausea does not happen. Good luck. Keep in touch. You are in the beginning of this journey, we are here for you. We have all been through this. I was a caregiver for my dad who passed away from ec with mets to the liver on March 9th.
    Tina
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #4
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    First chemo treatment
    Your father's experience is not normal.

    As this is his first treatment they should have given you a schedule of anti-nausea medications for your father to take. He needs nutrition and most importantly he need fluids to remain healthy. If he can drink lemon/lime Gator aide that would help because Gator aide replaces electrolytes needed by his body.

    Also, if your oncologist's office does not have a 24 hour on call service that returns your call within a short period of time (e.g an hour) then I would be asking if you have the right oncologist. My oncologist's office has a nurse on call immediately available during normal business hours and a physician on call that will return your call in less than an hour after normal business hours.

    In the short term however, it is important to encourage your dad to eat and drink even if he does not feel like it. His body needs the support.

    Paul Adams

    AKA: "paul61"

    McCormick, South Carolina
  • nancyann3
    nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
    #5
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    I agree
    For my husband apetite has been a problem from the beginning. So I can understand what you are going through. Mental attitude, I believe, has a lot to do with it. Although loss of appetite my be a response to the chemo and cancer, it cannot go on. By taking the anti naus. meds and preventing the nausia is the best way to go. There is also a medication that helps with appetite. Boost, carnation instant breakfast, ensure are good meal replacements. For a few weeks my husband lived on the shakes and gatorade. He should drink 64 oz. of liquid in a 24 hour period, atleast. Most important is that your dad has to understand that drinking and eating are not an option. It has to be done. I took me awhile to make my husband understand this and at times I had to resort to not being very nice about it either. Hopefully your dad will come to understand this, but in the meantime you and your family may have to encourage very strongly.

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