my husband cannot keep fluids or food down???

lindadanis
lindadanis Member Posts: 235
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
My husband, stage four, has not really been able to keep food down and now his fluids are coming up. It seems when he first starts to eat soup or some broth, etc., he immediately gets the hiccups and then he starts to vomit. This happens on and off, somedays better than others. Like today, he had a frappe this morning and nothing else all day, doctor said he has to drink at least six glass of something everyday but he doesn't. What am I to do. How are they going to handle this, the chemo doctor said that because he is on chemo drugs that attach the kidneys, he has to drink. I am very nervous about this, how are they going to get him to be able to keep hydrated?

Comments

  • chrisk06
    chrisk06 Member Posts: 110
    #2
    A few thoughts
    My husband Steve was the same way. The chemo made him so tired and he felt like crap, but i just keep telling him he needed to drink. He drank when and as much as he could. They should be able to have you bring him in for IV fluids to help also. Ask the chemo Dr. about that. I know it's hard, but you just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other and do the best you can.

    You will be in my prayers!
    {BIG HUGS}
    Chris
  • lindadanis
    lindadanis Member Posts: 235
    #3
    chrisk06 said:

    A few thoughts
    My husband Steve was the same way. The chemo made him so tired and he felt like crap, but i just keep telling him he needed to drink. He drank when and as much as he could. They should be able to have you bring him in for IV fluids to help also. Ask the chemo Dr. about that. I know it's hard, but you just gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other and do the best you can.

    You will be in my prayers!
    {BIG HUGS}
    Chris

    drinking
    thanks Chris for writing back, can you tell me more about your husband. When was he diagnosed and what stage., is he still in chemo? We live in Mass., where do you live? Linda
  • chrisk06
    chrisk06 Member Posts: 110
    #4
    lindadanis said:

    drinking
    thanks Chris for writing back, can you tell me more about your husband. When was he diagnosed and what stage., is he still in chemo? We live in Mass., where do you live? Linda

    Steve
    My husband was diagnosed in Feb 2009 with stage 3 with lymph node involvement. 2 rounds of chemo with 30 rounds of radiation follwed by surgery. Unfortunatly we just found out last week they cancer is back, not sure how bad, but we don't think it is good. He didn't do the follow up chemo after his surgery. at that point he was so tired and beat up, he just didn't have the strength and took a chance. That is our story in a nutshell. Sure there is alot in between but you get the jist. I will answer any questions you have just let me know! We live in Illinois. Every story is different and everyone is here to help you in any way they can! Just keep posting and asking!

    {BIG HUGS}
    Chris
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    #5
    See about a swollowing study
    Hi Linda,

    My husband who is also stage iv had difficulty swollowing very thin liquids, because of the muscle mass that was lost in his throat. They found this out by doing a swollowing study it doesn't take long and it will help determine what types of things will be easier for him to swollow without gagging or coming back up.

    See what they say,

    God Bless
    Kath
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • aunti_m
    aunti_m Member Posts: 41
    #7
    Feeding tube
    Just got home from the hospital. My husband is resting after just having a feeding tube put in. He has lost 30lbs in the past month and we finally had enough. Food doesn't get stuck he just can't eat or drink anything. We had to insist this to our Oncologist, after the first 15 lbs we brought it up and he dismissed the idea. After 25 lbs, again brought it up to the doc and he dismissed it. I thought what's it gonna take, him to be 80 lbs before they put one in. Finally yesturday, my husband had enough and called himself. It will be peace of mind knowing he's geting nutriants and perhaps give him some strength back, seeing he's just started chemo again this past Monday.

    I hope your husband realizes what he may just need is a feeding tube, it is a very common procedure that I would suggest talking to your doctor about.
  • LindsayBrown
    LindsayBrown Member Posts: 22
    #8
    aunti_m said:

    Feeding tube
    Just got home from the hospital. My husband is resting after just having a feeding tube put in. He has lost 30lbs in the past month and we finally had enough. Food doesn't get stuck he just can't eat or drink anything. We had to insist this to our Oncologist, after the first 15 lbs we brought it up and he dismissed the idea. After 25 lbs, again brought it up to the doc and he dismissed it. I thought what's it gonna take, him to be 80 lbs before they put one in. Finally yesturday, my husband had enough and called himself. It will be peace of mind knowing he's geting nutriants and perhaps give him some strength back, seeing he's just started chemo again this past Monday.

    I hope your husband realizes what he may just need is a feeding tube, it is a very common procedure that I would suggest talking to your doctor about.

    we live in Mass. too
    Linda,

    We live in Massachusetts as well. My father was diagnosed with stage IV a month ago. He starts treatment at Mass. General on Tuesday.

    Lindsay
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #9
    aunti_m said:

    Feeding tube
    Just got home from the hospital. My husband is resting after just having a feeding tube put in. He has lost 30lbs in the past month and we finally had enough. Food doesn't get stuck he just can't eat or drink anything. We had to insist this to our Oncologist, after the first 15 lbs we brought it up and he dismissed the idea. After 25 lbs, again brought it up to the doc and he dismissed it. I thought what's it gonna take, him to be 80 lbs before they put one in. Finally yesturday, my husband had enough and called himself. It will be peace of mind knowing he's geting nutriants and perhaps give him some strength back, seeing he's just started chemo again this past Monday.

    I hope your husband realizes what he may just need is a feeding tube, it is a very common procedure that I would suggest talking to your doctor about.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #10
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hi Linda,
    I am a caregiver
    Hi Linda,
    I am a caregiver for my dad, stage IV November 2008. Had oral chemo and 6 weeks of radiation, no surgery, just had first dilation 12/7. Sounds to me that the best thing would be for him to get a feeding tube put in. That or have a scope done to see what is going on in his esophagus, see what is blocking it. A dilation can be done to stretch the esophagus. It is very hard to see and bear, but you have to stay positive, ask lots of questions, take it one day at a time. God Bless both of you and I will be praying for you.
    Tina
  • lindadanis
    lindadanis Member Posts: 235
    #11
    LindsayBrown said:

    we live in Mass. too
    Linda,

    We live in Massachusetts as well. My father was diagnosed with stage IV a month ago. He starts treatment at Mass. General on Tuesday.

    Lindsay

    your dad's doctor
    Hi Lindsay, what doctor does your dad see at Mass. General, is he having chemo, radiation or surgery? Please let me know what his situation is, my husband was just diagnosed in October, he is 55 years old, no feeding tube yet, doctor does not want to put on in, had second dose of chemo yesterday, how old is your dad? Was he having swollowing problems? thanks Linda
    PS we live in South Weymouth, where do you live?
  • LindsayBrown
    LindsayBrown Member Posts: 22
    #12
    lindadanis said:

    your dad's doctor
    Hi Lindsay, what doctor does your dad see at Mass. General, is he having chemo, radiation or surgery? Please let me know what his situation is, my husband was just diagnosed in October, he is 55 years old, no feeding tube yet, doctor does not want to put on in, had second dose of chemo yesterday, how old is your dad? Was he having swollowing problems? thanks Linda
    PS we live in South Weymouth, where do you live?

    So far my dad has seen Dr.
    So far my dad has seen Dr. John Wain (surgeon), Dr. Choi for radiation and I'm not sure the other names. His Chemotherapy and radiation start in 3 days from now in the Cox building at MGH. He is extremely happy with his team there. He is 60 years old. He's had acid reflux for years. Started losing weight this past summer. Went to the primary and they gave him prilosec. Started having more pain in stomach and it was found to be due to a yeast infection caused by food getting stuck where the tumor is in his esophogas. He also went to the er a month later and an ultrasound was done. They found nothing. We wished we had went to the mass general er that time. Anyhow, finally got an appointment for the endoscopy on Nov. 11th and that was when they diagnosed him. He is stage IV, tumor is in the stomach junction. Mets in the nodes. Surgeon says chemo and radiation first and then another pet and then will discuss surgery. Oncology says he is a healthy person and that this ia curable at this point, fingers crossed of course. We both live in North Reading, my house is less than a mile from my dads. We will be driving in and out of Boston everyday.
  • LSpriggs
    LSpriggs Member Posts: 4
    #13
    I am having the same problem with my Dad
    My Dad has cancer in his lymph nodes. It has not spread into the organs or brain just into his lymph nodes but he refuses to eat and he is dying from starvation and malnutrition.
    I am urging him to get a feeding tube. He doesn't seem to want that but I want to hear from those that have a feeding tube and have had a feeding tube and their recommendations please?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #14
    LSpriggs said:

    I am having the same problem with my Dad
    My Dad has cancer in his lymph nodes. It has not spread into the organs or brain just into his lymph nodes but he refuses to eat and he is dying from starvation and malnutrition.
    I am urging him to get a feeding tube. He doesn't seem to want that but I want to hear from those that have a feeding tube and have had a feeding tube and their recommendations please?

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #15
    hydration
    My husband had his chemo on Wednesdays and had IV hydration every Thursday and Friday...are they doing this for your husband? If not ask for it.

    jan

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