Weight gain problems

alihamilton
alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I wonder if anyone can advise. My husband, dx July 2003 stage 111 rectal cancer, 11 out of 18 lymph nodes involved. Resection, chemo/radiotherapy, NED late July of this year. He lost a total of 40 lbs during surgery and treatment but regained 20 quite quickly and is eating very well now. However, he cannot seem to put on any more weight and would love a few more pounds. He does have several bowel movements a day (no colostomy was needed) and I am wondering if this could affect weight gain. He definitely takes in more calories than he puts out in terms of exercise...doesn't really do any!!

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Hi, Ali -

    A few suggestions:

    1. Try Ensure or some other "whole meal supplement" between meals.

    2. Eat/take more fiber. It will actually REDUCE the number of movements per day.

    3. Drink lots of water.

    4. More small meals versus a few large meals - makes calories available for consumption more static over the day.

    5. A Big Ole Chocolate milkshake just before bed

    6. Beer & Pizza!!

    Hope some of the is helpful.

    - SpongeBob
  • alihamilton
    alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
    #3
    Thanks, SpongeBob, we will try some of those though he hates supplements. He does eat several meals a day so hopefully it will start to show soon. I suspect that I am beginning to get really nervous again as the time approaches for CEA testing and so any "signs" may increase my anxiety. I know from other posts that everyone goes through this when it comes to testing time but it really is awful!
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #4
    alihamilton said:

    Thanks, SpongeBob, we will try some of those though he hates supplements. He does eat several meals a day so hopefully it will start to show soon. I suspect that I am beginning to get really nervous again as the time approaches for CEA testing and so any "signs" may increase my anxiety. I know from other posts that everyone goes through this when it comes to testing time but it really is awful!

    Ali -

    I don't believe it's something you ever get past. I still get nervous every time I get a hangnail. I suspect those of us with a hereditary form of cancer may get a bit more jittery since we never really get rid of it, but I know everyone has the same issues. All just part of being a survivor. You guys hang tough and keep a positive outlook.

    BTW, I forgot to suggest one of Em's blueberry smoothies as a possible source of beneficial calories. I'm sure she'll be MORE than happy to give you the complete 411 on it if you ask.

    Be well

    - SB
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    Hi Ali, your story sounds almost exactly like mine. Husband diagnosed stage III right colon cancer is July 2003, 4 nodes positive, and since early July 2004, off treatment and NED.

    SpongeBob has made some great recommendations for putting on the weight. Bert was fortunate that he only lost about 24 pounds after surgery and, which came back quickly, even while on treatment, and again when hospitalized for a severe colon infection, but that came back quickly too. Today, I am so happy to say, he regained all the weight he lost and found a few more pounds along the way:D

    Another good suggestion for putting on weight is to increase carbo intake, which I am told, also keeps down the bowl movements as protein, etc. goes through you much faster.

    Lastly, I so totally can relate to the anxiety and fear starting to build again as it gets closer to blood tests and scans...Bert's are due October 28. When you think about it, what a waste of precious, valuable, good time to spending it on something that is on the horizon and something that will be what it will be. When one puts it in that kind of a perspective, it makes more sense to quit worrying so much and enjoy this great NED time and pray that it lasts.
    Remember, you are not alone and I have found comfort in that too. I'll be thinking of you and your husband and wishing only for the best of the best in results.

    Monika
  • Tessyann
    Tessyann Member Posts: 56
    #6
    What so strange is my hubby is the complete opposite... he doesnt have trouble gaining weight its losing weight that had pledge him... he ballon from 225 to over 300 lbs since being dx in 92.. Ive heard of other that have had the same affect with the chemos used for colon cancer.
    Teresa
  • alihamilton
    alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
    #7
    unknown said:

    Hi Ali, your story sounds almost exactly like mine. Husband diagnosed stage III right colon cancer is July 2003, 4 nodes positive, and since early July 2004, off treatment and NED.

    SpongeBob has made some great recommendations for putting on the weight. Bert was fortunate that he only lost about 24 pounds after surgery and, which came back quickly, even while on treatment, and again when hospitalized for a severe colon infection, but that came back quickly too. Today, I am so happy to say, he regained all the weight he lost and found a few more pounds along the way:D

    Another good suggestion for putting on weight is to increase carbo intake, which I am told, also keeps down the bowl movements as protein, etc. goes through you much faster.

    Lastly, I so totally can relate to the anxiety and fear starting to build again as it gets closer to blood tests and scans...Bert's are due October 28. When you think about it, what a waste of precious, valuable, good time to spending it on something that is on the horizon and something that will be what it will be. When one puts it in that kind of a perspective, it makes more sense to quit worrying so much and enjoy this great NED time and pray that it lasts.
    Remember, you are not alone and I have found comfort in that too. I'll be thinking of you and your husband and wishing only for the best of the best in results.

    Monika

    Thanks guys, Monika, I always read your posts and there is a similarity in our husband's dx but mine was only given 5fu/leukovorin though in quite heavy doses initially. Our oncologist feels that is sufficient and I hope he is right!

    I agree entirely about not worrying and enjoying the time of NED, which I was able to do initially. It is only as the time for testing approaches, that I let anxiety creep up on me. I also keep in mind that your Bert's CEA rises inexplicably and therefore that a slightly higher CEA is not necessarily indicative of recurrence. Wow, how our lives change forever!

    I will give Mike some more carbs....he does eat alot already but it is interesting that you say protein tends to go straight through! That might explain why he has to use the bathroom once or twice after his evening meal!

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