Need help here

terryscarlett
terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Dave is skipping feedings and taking nothing by mouth other than tea and water. Does nothing but sleep and sleep more. What can i do to help him throught this???????
«1

Comments

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #2
    First and most important remain positive and smile when around him, this will help him maintain a positive mental attitude that is most important other than treatments.
    Drinking and swallowing is important and a very good thing that he is doing by mouth. Fluids, fluids and fluids. Try some of the high nutrients drinks like ensure or boost. If he keeps that down for 30 mins his body will absorb all the nutients.
    Push anything he likes and i mean anything. I loved for a long time Wendy's frosty's. Ice cream etc. Easy to swallow.

    Remind yourself this is his war and you can only support him with the daily battles, it is hard but your doing all you can.
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #3
    Its okay.
    Terry

    See my response to your other thread here. Email me directly if you have more questions. Dave will get through this. He is going to be very sick, and he will find it hard to eat. I'm so pleased to heare that he is keeping up with his hydration. He is right on track to get through this with flying colors.

    Deb
  • D-Byrd
    D-Byrd Member Posts: 25
    #4
    Take him to get fluids
    Call your ent and tell him that you are bringing him in for fluids, and they can give him a drip that take less than 2 hours. I had to do it twice during my treatsments and it helped me beyond belief. Make sure to keep up with his blood pressure and temperature. He needs his nutrients to fight this so make sure you keep in contact with your docotrs. Good luck and if you need anything just let me know.

    D-Byrd
  • charles55
    charles55 Member Posts: 87
    #5
    depression?
    Are you thinking this is caused by him feeling sick or could it be depression?
  • abbimom
    abbimom Member Posts: 87 Member
    #6
    It is just too painful to
    It is just too painful to swallow. I remember that. My mom forced me to the hospital because I was not eating or drinking. I was so sick. I finally decided the best thing for me was to get a feeding tube through the stomach and I believe it saved me. I was never dehydrated throughout my treatments and I didn't have to drink the disgusting liquid medicines. I had the tube removed when I could swallow again. IT was the right thing for me, just look into everything and as everyone else says keep positive!
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #7
    abbimom said:

    It is just too painful to
    It is just too painful to swallow. I remember that. My mom forced me to the hospital because I was not eating or drinking. I was so sick. I finally decided the best thing for me was to get a feeding tube through the stomach and I believe it saved me. I was never dehydrated throughout my treatments and I didn't have to drink the disgusting liquid medicines. I had the tube removed when I could swallow again. IT was the right thing for me, just look into everything and as everyone else says keep positive!

    Dave
    I take it he has a feeding tube/PEG? Truth is, during the worst of it I could only intake 3 feedings of the most concentrated Jevity, rather than the 4 I was supposed to take. But if he is refusing to take much of anything- then I would advise to let your Drs. know about this ASAP. Nutrition is a critical issue during treatment- must get as much of it as one can tolerate.


    Please, keep us updated, and

    Believe

    kcass
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #8
    update
    Know you are busy but would like an update. I agree with the hospital theory if he doesn't take in adequate hydration and by that they mean A LOT. The chemo drugs are very hard on the kidneys, the radiation is very dehydrating. The worst thing is they could tell you is to go back home and force liquids but I think he will need hospital help
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #9
    hydration
    I slept alot during treatment. I had problems with hydration and had to get IV hydration through out the treatment. I have a feeding tube and still couldn't keep enough in me to stay hydrated. When I was dehydrated I really couldn't keep anything down thus making the dehydration worse. A bad cycle that those IV's helped break. Something to look into ???
  • rt29781
    rt29781 Member Posts: 8
    #10
    JUDYV5 said:

    hydration
    I slept alot during treatment. I had problems with hydration and had to get IV hydration through out the treatment. I have a feeding tube and still couldn't keep enough in me to stay hydrated. When I was dehydrated I really couldn't keep anything down thus making the dehydration worse. A bad cycle that those IV's helped break. Something to look into ???

    Watch your weight
    My wife had 29 rad sessions and after the first couple of weeks didn't eat very much. She hated the protein drinks. Being a Scottish girl she would eat porridge (good and slippery) so that's what got her through. Now she is 8 weeks out of treatment and starting to eat really well. As a carer it is very worrying and frustrating, I tried everything to get her to eat but it was just too sore and the taste of food had changed so much. Kate lost 12 kg down from 72 to 60 (she is tall at 5ft 9in) so she was very slim. Weight rising now and so far so good. Today is her birthday and we got a call this morning that our first Grandchild is on it's way (baby's sex undetermined so far).so we are over the moon and flying to Scotland for the weekend. So life does go on and some normality resumes quite quickly.
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #11
    JUDYV5 said:

    hydration
    I slept alot during treatment. I had problems with hydration and had to get IV hydration through out the treatment. I have a feeding tube and still couldn't keep enough in me to stay hydrated. When I was dehydrated I really couldn't keep anything down thus making the dehydration worse. A bad cycle that those IV's helped break. Something to look into ???

    Worked
    Went for rad today and stopped by chemo doctors office. They sent Dave down stairs for IV fluids along with some steroid and liquid anti nausea meds. It worked he has had 2 feedings and 1 more for the day to come tonight. Also tried a few bites of cream of chicken soup, and the soup off of pintos, not much but is a start, and much better than it has been for the last several days. Thank you for the advice
    Terry
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #12
    D-Byrd said:

    Take him to get fluids
    Call your ent and tell him that you are bringing him in for fluids, and they can give him a drip that take less than 2 hours. I had to do it twice during my treatsments and it helped me beyond belief. Make sure to keep up with his blood pressure and temperature. He needs his nutrients to fight this so make sure you keep in contact with your docotrs. Good luck and if you need anything just let me know.

    D-Byrd

    fluids worked (thanks to all)
    Went for rad today and stopped by chemo doctors office. They sent Dave down stairs for IV fluids along with some steroid and liquid anti nausea meds. It worked he has had 2 feedings and 1 more for the day to come tonight. Also tried a few bites of cream of chicken soup, and the soup off of pintos, not much but is a start, and much better than it has been for the last several days. Thank you for the advice
    Terry
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #13
    terryscarlett said:

    Worked
    Went for rad today and stopped by chemo doctors office. They sent Dave down stairs for IV fluids along with some steroid and liquid anti nausea meds. It worked he has had 2 feedings and 1 more for the day to come tonight. Also tried a few bites of cream of chicken soup, and the soup off of pintos, not much but is a start, and much better than it has been for the last several days. Thank you for the advice
    Terry

    Cisplatin, right?
    Dave is on Cisplatin right? Do they give him IV fluids for 2 or 3 days after his chemo? When Mark was on Cisplatin (taken off due to hearing loss), he went back to the hospital for the following two days to get IV fluids. Cisplatin has the nick name "Raging Bull" it will, and does, knock you on your a**.
    Kim
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #14
    Kimba1505 said:

    Cisplatin, right?
    Dave is on Cisplatin right? Do they give him IV fluids for 2 or 3 days after his chemo? When Mark was on Cisplatin (taken off due to hearing loss), he went back to the hospital for the following two days to get IV fluids. Cisplatin has the nick name "Raging Bull" it will, and does, knock you on your a**.
    Kim

    Cisplatin right
    Yes dave has had his second treatment this past Tuesday and he has been sick ever since,
    By joining here I learned about the IV fluids and it has worked so far, I may take him back for another bag in the morning! I was really worried that he started skipping his feedings. He has lost another 5 pounds this last week (thats a total of 10 pounds in 2 weeks).
    He just can't seem to tolerate the taste of food now and is strictly on 475 calories cans of formula.
    Raging bull fits pretty well because Dave is a big man at 6'1 and was 214. Now 204 lbs.
    Thanks
    Terry
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #15
    terryscarlett said:

    Cisplatin right
    Yes dave has had his second treatment this past Tuesday and he has been sick ever since,
    By joining here I learned about the IV fluids and it has worked so far, I may take him back for another bag in the morning! I was really worried that he started skipping his feedings. He has lost another 5 pounds this last week (thats a total of 10 pounds in 2 weeks).
    He just can't seem to tolerate the taste of food now and is strictly on 475 calories cans of formula.
    Raging bull fits pretty well because Dave is a big man at 6'1 and was 214. Now 204 lbs.
    Thanks
    Terry

    Hydration & Tenting
    It's very important....

    One thing you can do to help stay up on it...and my wife used to drive me nutz with it, but it apparently worked, or at least she bugged me enough.

    Tenting, it's where you gently pull up on the skin, like the back of the hand. If it tents up and doesn't return to it's flat shape natural shape. You need fluids, fluids will allow the skin to retain it's shape and not tent up.

    Anyways, thought I'd share that little tidbit that worked with me.

    The part that bugged me with my wife...she was constantly pulling up the skin on the backs of my hands....if I was sleeping, she'd startle me, and of course, I wasn't in a good mood as it were....so of course if I complained, she set me straight, LOL...much easier to just take in as much fluids as I could.

    Best,
    John
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #16
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hydration & Tenting
    It's very important....

    One thing you can do to help stay up on it...and my wife used to drive me nutz with it, but it apparently worked, or at least she bugged me enough.

    Tenting, it's where you gently pull up on the skin, like the back of the hand. If it tents up and doesn't return to it's flat shape natural shape. You need fluids, fluids will allow the skin to retain it's shape and not tent up.

    Anyways, thought I'd share that little tidbit that worked with me.

    The part that bugged me with my wife...she was constantly pulling up the skin on the backs of my hands....if I was sleeping, she'd startle me, and of course, I wasn't in a good mood as it were....so of course if I complained, she set me straight, LOL...much easier to just take in as much fluids as I could.

    Best,
    John

    Tenting
    That is great info I had no idea, I will surely start checking him out. I am always nagging him on the feeding so now I ahve one more thing I will nag and (tent) him,Hah Hah
    That was a much needed laugh and I will pass it on to Dave and see if I can get a smile out of him
    Thanks to all for the great info and support
    Love all
    Terry
  • stevenl
    stevenl Member Posts: 587
    #17
    terryscarlett said:

    Tenting
    That is great info I had no idea, I will surely start checking him out. I am always nagging him on the feeding so now I ahve one more thing I will nag and (tent) him,Hah Hah
    That was a much needed laugh and I will pass it on to Dave and see if I can get a smile out of him
    Thanks to all for the great info and support
    Love all
    Terry

    6' 1"
    Hi Terry,

    I am the same height and started out at 232 and dropped 58 pounds through treatment. odd though that now I am at my perfect BMI. 190.

    Best,
    Steve
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #18
    feeding tube
    Does he have a feeding tube? if so there's not a lot to worry about because he can take everything he needs that way. No feeding tube? That's a tougher question. If he's losing too much weight too fast an emergent placement of a feeding tube (a.k.a. PEG, G Tube).

    Not sure what else to suggest. Keep us posted.

    Best,

    Mick
  • luv4lacrosse
    luv4lacrosse Member Posts: 1,410 Member
    #19
    Kimba1505 said:

    Cisplatin, right?
    Dave is on Cisplatin right? Do they give him IV fluids for 2 or 3 days after his chemo? When Mark was on Cisplatin (taken off due to hearing loss), he went back to the hospital for the following two days to get IV fluids. Cisplatin has the nick name "Raging Bull" it will, and does, knock you on your a**.
    Kim

    CISPLATIN IS HARDCORE
    I did my first Cisplatin yesterday. The entire day actuall consisted of 6 different bags. One litre each of NS w/ Magnesium and Potassium and the same following the Cisplatin.
    I am lucky my wife is a nurse and she gave me my Litre of NS tonight and one more tomorrow night. I think this was the key to me getting by almost side effect free unless it gets worse later this week. My nurse educator told me Cisplatin is a derivative of Mustard gas. I think that is pretty hardcore.

    They have told me to try my best to drink 10 8oz. glasses of water every day.

    All the best and stay hydrated.

    Mike
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #20
    stevenl said:

    6' 1"
    Hi Terry,

    I am the same height and started out at 232 and dropped 58 pounds through treatment. odd though that now I am at my perfect BMI. 190.

    Best,
    Steve

    6'1
    You lost quite a bit of weight, but sounds like you gained back to a great weight there. How long have you been over treatments. Did you have the tube and if so how long did you need it after treatment stopped? Thanks in advance for any info.
    Best to all
    Terry
  • terryscarlett
    terryscarlett Member Posts: 143
    #21
    micktissue said:

    feeding tube
    Does he have a feeding tube? if so there's not a lot to worry about because he can take everything he needs that way. No feeding tube? That's a tougher question. If he's losing too much weight too fast an emergent placement of a feeding tube (a.k.a. PEG, G Tube).

    Not sure what else to suggest. Keep us posted.

    Best,

    Mick

    feeding tube
    Yes he has the tube, and that was the problem in itself. He was skipping feedings because of nausea. Problem solved though. He gat an IV with some steriods and has bounced back, amazing what hydration can do for chemo treatments. Might need to pass that info around to newbees.
    LOL
    Terry

Discussion Boards