New here with a few questions!

arinab

In May of 2014, after begging my father to visit a doctor - he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the squamous tissue in his esophagus. It was found that he had a 4 inch mass that sat at the entrance of the stomach (about 10%) and the rest in the esophagus. It was an odd shaped mass! (They did biopsy the stomach and found all results to be inconclusive).

His symptoms were: in order of occurrence - severe vomiting (late 2013), fatigue, loss of appetite, belching and food aversion to beef.

 

After diagnosis, he began 35 radiation treatments followed by chemotherapy...5 days on drip, 4 off...with a repeat every two weeks for 7 weeks. He went from weighing 165lbs to 91 lbs, despite our best to feed him.

 

In December of 2014 - he was told that his PETscan was clean. There was no evidence of the tumor and all blood tests came back clean as well. From the initial May PETscan (the thyroid showed a mass), that was not treated with treatment. It has been biopsied and found to be nonmalignant. He was back up to 115 lbs....and surgery had been scheduled to remove the thyroid.

Just two weeks ago the symptoms returned...and he has begun to lose weight, his arms is hurting, as is his stomach. We are waiting for the current PETscan results. He goes in for labs on Friday. He will see his oncologist in February.

 

My question is: Does anyone know of any way to alleviate some of his pain? Or recommendations to get him to eat? Nothing is sitting with his stomach! We are still using plastic spoons to help with the food taste. But he can barely eat... he mostly drinks Boost drinks.

 

I know he is scared and depressed, I just want to get him as much help as I can....any suggestions would be great!

 

TIA!!

paul61

Some calorie augmentation suggestions

I am so sorry your Dad has had a return of his previous symptoms. When you say he is going to see his oncologist in February, I hope that means the first week of the month. Sometimes our friends in the medical community get focused on their calendars rather than what is best for the patient. Sometimes some insistence is required to get things moving along quickly.

When I was having difficulty eating after my surgery and during my chemotherapy I found smoothies made with fruit, vegetables, and protein powder could pack a lot of calories and nutrition. The trick for me to keep from becoming nauseous was to sip at them over a two hour period rather than trying to drink them all at one sitting. I kept the glass in the refrigerator and drank just a little at a time.

Depending on the results of your Dad’s blood work and PET scan; if your Dad does require additional treatment it may be of value to discuss a “J” tube feeding tube with his oncologist. I had a jejunostomy feeding tube (J-tube) after my surgery and it was very helpful in maintaining my weight and hydration. Here is a reference:  http://cancer.dukemedicine.org/cancer/health_library/care_guides/treatment_instructions/jejunostomy

I am a bit concerned about the time it is taking to get the results of your Dad’s tests reviewed with his oncologist. It should take a couple hours to have the results of a PET scan read and communicated to his oncologist. I hope if there are items of concern identified in the PET scan or blood work that there is some telephone communication from his oncologist’s office in advance of the appointment. I know from personal experience the feeling of “scanxiety” waiting for those results.

Another item that can be helpful are high calorie supplements like Benecalorie. Benecalorie can be purchased at many stores including WalMart but Nestles has a web site dedicated to high calorie supplements for cancer patients. Here is a reference to their site: http://www.nestlehealthscience.us/products/benecalorie%C2%AE

I hope your Dad gets quick medical intervention and is feeling better soon

Best Regards,

Paul Adams

McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

 

arinab

paul61 said:

Some calorie augmentation suggestions

I am so sorry your Dad has had a return of his previous symptoms. When you say he is going to see his oncologist in February, I hope that means the first week of the month. Sometimes our friends in the medical community get focused on their calendars rather than what is best for the patient. Sometimes some insistence is required to get things moving along quickly.

When I was having difficulty eating after my surgery and during my chemotherapy I found smoothies made with fruit, vegetables, and protein powder could pack a lot of calories and nutrition. The trick for me to keep from becoming nauseous was to sip at them over a two hour period rather than trying to drink them all at one sitting. I kept the glass in the refrigerator and drank just a little at a time.

Depending on the results of your Dad’s blood work and PET scan; if your Dad does require additional treatment it may be of value to discuss a “J” tube feeding tube with his oncologist. I had a jejunostomy feeding tube (J-tube) after my surgery and it was very helpful in maintaining my weight and hydration. Here is a reference:  http://cancer.dukemedicine.org/cancer/health_library/care_guides/treatment_instructions/jejunostomy

I am a bit concerned about the time it is taking to get the results of your Dad’s tests reviewed with his oncologist. It should take a couple hours to have the results of a PET scan read and communicated to his oncologist. I hope if there are items of concern identified in the PET scan or blood work that there is some telephone communication from his oncologist’s office in advance of the appointment. I know from personal experience the feeling of “scanxiety” waiting for those results.

Another item that can be helpful are high calorie supplements like Benecalorie. Benecalorie can be purchased at many stores including WalMart but Nestles has a web site dedicated to high calorie supplements for cancer patients. Here is a reference to their site: http://www.nestlehealthscience.us/products/benecalorie%C2%AE

I hope your Dad gets quick medical intervention and is feeling better soon

Best Regards,

Paul Adams

McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

 

Update

Hello Paul,

 

First, I want to thank you for taking the time to "speak" to me about my Dad. I took all the information you gave me and have used it to the best of my advantage.

 

Shortly after my post, we admitted my Dad to the hospital. He was severely dehydrated and malnourished. After 6 days, they told us the chemo and radiation had left scar tissue along the esophageal wall....forming a funnel. They knew this from an endoscopy. They released him into the care of a new GI and three weeks to today....he has had one more endoscopy and was told by a nurse that it was a tumor and we needed to come back in two weeks. But with no solutions or help.

I'm afraid to say that I don't feel he has two weeks. He can't eat or drink and is not lucid. I purchased the benecalories you suggested and his body fights them.

I have a call into the new GI, but at this time...we are at a loss. 

 

Thank you again...and many blessings your way.

Athena

paul61

arinab said:

Update

Hello Paul,

 

First, I want to thank you for taking the time to "speak" to me about my Dad. I took all the information you gave me and have used it to the best of my advantage.

 

Shortly after my post, we admitted my Dad to the hospital. He was severely dehydrated and malnourished. After 6 days, they told us the chemo and radiation had left scar tissue along the esophageal wall....forming a funnel. They knew this from an endoscopy. They released him into the care of a new GI and three weeks to today....he has had one more endoscopy and was told by a nurse that it was a tumor and we needed to come back in two weeks. But with no solutions or help.

I'm afraid to say that I don't feel he has two weeks. He can't eat or drink and is not lucid. I purchased the benecalories you suggested and his body fights them.

I have a call into the new GI, but at this time...we are at a loss. 

 

Thank you again...and many blessings your way.

Athena

I am sorry your Dad is not doing well

Athena,

I am so sorry things are not going well for your Dad. He is very fortunate to have you as an advocate.

It really sounds like he would benefit from long term admission to a care facility where they could administer intravenous nutrition, or potentially hospice; where he could be made as comfortable as possible. I am not sure his gastroenterologist has frequent enough contact to manage his ongoing care. Is there an internist or oncologist that manages your Dad’s day to day care? If so, perhaps you could speak to them about your Dad’s care needs.  

I know this must be very difficult for you, I am sure your presence and concern give your Dad great comfort during this difficult time.

Best Regards,

Paul Adams

McCormick, South Carolina
DX 10/2009 T2N1M0  Stage IIB - Ivor Lewis Surgery  12/3/2009 - Post Surgery Chemotherapy 2/2009 – 6/2009
Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU - Four Year Survivor

 

sherry1352

weight loss

Try the Walmart shake Premier protien. It has low sugar and 30 grams of protein.