Hope but still frustrated!!

jcavanaugh

Well, the swelling in my dad's abdomen went down after starting a new medicine (fluid pills). In 10 days, he lost 15 pounds of fluid. He is 6 feet 2 inches and now weights 165. This is why I am concerned. The oncologist is not concerned about his weight loss. He lost 20 pounds in 4 months. He has had fluid in his abdomen since September after having pnemonia. Doctor did not want to drain stomach. He wanted to see if fluid would go away by itself. Could this also be a sign that the chemo is workign as well??? Since late September, he has been on treatment (avastin and xeolda). He is adding oxiplatin back this month (had an allergic reaction to it in October). The doctor said that it was a good sign that the fluid disappeared so fast. He has already lessened my dad's fluid pill dose. So, for that I am hopeful. Now for my frustration - I want my dad to gain weight. The doctor is not concerned so my dad is not concerned. He takes his ques from the doctor. Any suggestions on what he can eat to put on some pounds!! The main problem is that he used to bulk up during treament because it helped with the nausea (eat a lot before treatments)-when he was on eribitrux, we ate at Fudruckers every Saturday (I gained weight during that treatment . Now, hamburgers do not taste good to him. Has that happened to anyone else?? He has an appetite and wants to eat, I just need to know what can make him put on the pounds. My parents forgot to ask the doctor about an appetite stimulant. They will ask him later this month. Any other suggestions for now??

Jennifer

msccolon

Sounds like little steps he's getting better!
Yes, my first thought on how fast his fluid disappeared was a GREAT sign! The chemo is working! DANCING! Now, for weight gain. If he has an appetite, let him eat lots of his favorite goodies like ice cream and cake and whatever else is high in calories! Make him shakes and add Ovaltine to the mix as well as the nutritional shakes! My mother made me shakes every day with ice cream, bananas, instant breakfast and milk. You can use whatever fruit and flavors your father likes. Chemo definitely changes your taste for things so keep trying different things that he can tolerate. Usually stronger flavored items are best as they better cut through the chemicals. Cream soups (I was a big fan of creamed potato soup!) are also good. He can eat more often instead of trying 3 big meals, or in addition to the meals if he can eat normally, have him eat snacks and lots of them! If he is having problems with his appetite, the meds to increase his appetite will work wonders for him! The onc nurse used to tease a friend when he was finally able to eat again. His mother would bring in taco bell and all kinds of stuff while he was in treatment; you rarely saw Markus eat before that and he had been losing a lot of weight. Good luck and we are rooting for all of you!
mary