I am sure I have asked this before, but I am going to ask again

Normal for me too
what he is going thru sounds like it was for me for months after. i did not eat for at least 3 month any solid food, all mushy did not work until 6 weeks post treatment. I was tired all the time and slowly started to get better at 10 weeks and then I had surgery and that set everything back again for at least two months. we men think we are strong and do not need help. we are not but we think we are.

sleeping is best for healing. call the onco doctor and see if she has any suggestions. anytime someone puts you thru hell you do not want to deal with them. She has taken him thru this, you certainly can change but I personally would not.

without eating, without fluids, and with out daily nutrients somehow recovery will be much slower.

Don't forget the fight is his the support in the fight is yours. Even one who has been thru has a hard time knowing how we got thru some days.

John

fisrpotpe said:

Normal for me too
what he is going thru sounds like it was for me for months after. i did not eat for at least 3 month any solid food, all mushy did not work until 6 weeks post treatment. I was tired all the time and slowly started to get better at 10 weeks and then I had surgery and that set everything back again for at least two months. we men think we are strong and do not need help. we are not but we think we are.

sleeping is best for healing. call the onco doctor and see if she has any suggestions. anytime someone puts you thru hell you do not want to deal with them. She has taken him thru this, you certainly can change but I personally would not.

without eating, without fluids, and with out daily nutrients somehow recovery will be much slower.

Don't forget the fight is his the support in the fight is yours. Even one who has been thru has a hard time knowing how we got thru some days.

John

For me it was months, but I
For me it was months, but I was on the more worst case scenario side. My problem was vomiting and not being able to keep nutrition in me and then I was down to 87 lbs way too fast because I was smaller to begin with. He needs to get nutrition in him! I was a breakthrough in heeling for me when I got that pump, and started to feed slowly, at least I gained some weight back, and had a bit more energy. I started at 87 pounds in January, and with the pump, I got to about 94-97 lbs by May, I think. I then was able to get off my pain patch, that was harder than I thought it would be. I was on for about 14 months or so. Once my weight was better, was then off the patch, I started working hard on figuring out how to eat again. I had bought my HealthMaster in January, and I was committed to figuring out now to get better food in me, and get off that damn peg tube. I managed to completely stop my tube feedings and maintain my weight, and then got my tube out in September, after 18 months. I was still only 97-99 lbs maybe? Must, must, must get enough calories, and I would argue for getting in actual food calories more than the canned stuff. Yes, I did it with the canned food when I needed it, but felt better when I got food in me, fruits and veg, and grains. I had to get up and do stuff, because it was just me, you need to move around and do stuff even though you are hurting and would rather stay in bed. I strongly urge him to get food in him, and to get up and move around as much as he can. Water water water and calories calories calories! Preferably less canned food, more fruit and veg, and if not by mouth through the darn tube!!!!! I am telling you, it's key.

He may be getting depressed and in that hell stage some of us have gone through. I had to up my lexapro for a while there. (I have been off for quite a while now. I was on it back from July of 2006.) It is not uncommon to go through depression at this stage. I know I needed a serious kick in the keister and I did get one, which I was grateful for.

Jimbo55 said:

Switching Docs
Rough situation you and hubby are in. Clearly he needs to get his nutrition and hydration. Ideally you wouldn't want to switch doctors at this point, however if your hubby has lost confidence/dislikes the current onc doc, perhaps a change might help him mentally as well as physically??? Sure hope things improve and soon. Stay strong. Cheers.

JImbo

Month's!
It took me month's to get any energy back! I had the same problem with keeping thing's down & had to take med's for it which helped. Nutrition & intake of fluid's are key in this fight. Even tiny sip's of water in order to keep his swallow is a must. Sorry you have to go through this. I know I was depressed also & that certainly did not help matter's. I wish you both well as you go through this together.
God Bless
Roz

arndog64 said:

It's really hard to watch
It's really hard to watch your husband evaporate before youe eyes. He seems worse after treatment than he did during and it seems like he's sicker now. The pain is not as severe, but still hanging on. He does sound better today, if he is still vomitting tomorrow I will be making a doc appt for him.

It's really not uncommon at
It's really not uncommon at this stage for him to be worse, and for him to be seemingly evaporate in front of your eyes, but something needs to be done about it! Somehow, he either needs to listen to you or the doctors and get this straightened out. He has to get a handle on this. When you already feel like crap, and you are in pain, and you are depressed, and you are not eating and getting in enough calories, you cannot think clearly!!! Each one of these things needs to be addressed like now. He did not go through all this pain and crap and agony, to give up now!!! Don't let him. Trust me, the temptation was there for me to just quit. I really thought I was going to feel better and be normal after treatment and that was not the case. Being left with the side effects I had, and in so much pain, and not eating anything for 9 months was more than I could bear for a while, both physically and mentally. He needs help now.

arndog64 said:

I agree, I am on it right
I agree, I am on it right now!

Similar situation
Hi Arndog,
I feel your pain. My dad is in a similar predicament at the moment. He is at times refusing to eat because of the nausea. Of course it burns when he throws up. Personally I think taking all the medications he is, and not having anything in his stomach only makes it worse. He swore off nausea meds because he felt like they were making him worse and was depressed because he felt as though nothing would make him better. Over the past few days my mom has convinced him to get back on the nausea medication. He is first taking the nausea medication, waiting about 20-30 minutes, getting a can feeding through his tube, and then after a bit taking his other medications. This isn't taking away the nausea but this schedule is at least keeping the food down and he seems to have a bit more energy this way, though still not much. Here's hoping your husband feels a little better!! You are doing a great job and deserve lots of credit for your dedication!!

arndog64 said:

It's really hard to watch
It's really hard to watch your husband evaporate before youe eyes. He seems worse after treatment than he did during and it seems like he's sicker now. The pain is not as severe, but still hanging on. He does sound better today, if he is still vomitting tomorrow I will be making a doc appt for him.

every other
I know here the doctor's leave a standing order for IV fluids daily or at least every other day as an out patient. You could call his doctor and ask them to set it up this will help for some time. I had one friend do it most every other day for over three weeks and nearly every time he went in he felt some better. Call you doc. fluids is a must.

fisrpotpe said:

every other
I know here the doctor's leave a standing order for IV fluids daily or at least every other day as an out patient. You could call his doctor and ask them to set it up this will help for some time. I had one friend do it most every other day for over three weeks and nearly every time he went in he felt some better. Call you doc. fluids is a must.

I agree: Fluids are a must.
Dehydration is a key cause of his nausea. If you're low on Jevity and think he'll use it, let me ship you a flat of 24 cans Jev 1.5.

arndog64 said:

Good News
He is doing better today.He finally took my advice and started feeding the tube a little slower and last night he was not sick to his stomach. This morning he woke up feeling really good. I told him to get out of bed and hang out in the living room and leave the front door open and get some sunshine, and he is doing it all.. He even mentioned taking a little walk today. I am a happy camper today.. : )

great news!
good news the prayers helped and they will continue, thanks for update.

John

Hi arndog
It can take some time as it depends to how well his body did with the treatment and how fast his body will get rid of all the stuff they used to treat him with, I call it detoxeing.

Hope he is feeling better soon
Hondo