I am new to the board. Hi everyone. Update.

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nancyann3
nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
A little more about us and my sweety. We have known each other for around 18 years. Have been together for all but 5 of those years. We have two kids together. Joshua 11 and Cassandra 14.
He was diagnosed in Feb. 2010.He is 49. He has a tumor in the distal third of his esophagus. It had almost completely closed off his esophagus. He was unable to swallow water. He lost a lot of weight before the diagnoses and has lost more since. On Feb. 18th a stent was placed to hold his esophagus open. This left his throat scratchy which deterred him from eating also. He has had his first round of chemo which consists of 5 days in the hosp. and three different chemo drugs. Our biggest battle is still the eating.

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  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    #2
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    WELCOME TO OUR SITE I CAN HELP
    Hi Nancy,

    Tell us a little more about your signicant other? What stage ? how old? how long has he had this? Is surgery an option?

    Well if he has had his first round of chemo with no appetite welcome to the world of CANCER, he isn't being stubborn, thats just the chemo working and he won't probably want food for about a week, his taste buds will change, his mental status will change, his behavior will change, and you will wonder okay can I PULL UP MY BIG GIRL PANTIES AND DO THIS, well that is entirely up to you. I will say you won't like him very much as time goes on, but it takes alot of patience, and hope you can get through it. You say he is your significant other, well I don't know how long you have been together but this will try you relationship, I don't mean to scare you but I walked this journey starting this time last year, my significant other did chemo, surgery, and recoupment, and it will be a year on APRIL FOOLS DAY since diagnosed. He was stage 2 so his went well.

    You might try puddings, jello, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, ice cream, and don't be surprised if he eats stuff you would of never thought he would eat. Mine ate PICKLES like a woman does when she is pregnant, their body starts craving things so be prepared.

    There isn't a shoe I haven't walked on this site, or a journey I haven't crossed, would I do it again YES i would, because without all my CSN friends on here I wouldn't be here helping you.

    I wore alot of BIG GIRL PANTIES, walked alot of unstable roads, hit alot of BUMPS, but I finally ended the end of the journey about a month ago,

    If I can help in anyway please let me know, there is another gentleman that will probably answer you and he gives great advice I couldn't have done alot of things without him. Then there is KIM, she has also walked this journey with her DAD, and she is a blessing too. we are all here to help each other, WE VENT, CRY, LAUGH, TALK, DISCUSS, AND DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. and one thing we all have in common is this ugly disease known as CANCER, and we all can relate in one way or another.

    So Nancy, pull out your BIG GIRLS PANTIES, and come walk the journey with us, and we will help you along the journey for you and your significant other.

    GOD BLESS,

    Lori aka MOE
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #3
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    See if you can get him to
    See if you can get him to drink some protein shakes as long as they are okayed by his doctor. Perhaps a visit with the nutritionist at the hospital who can develop a meal plan and speak to him about the importance of good nutrition during his treatment. Good luck.

    Best,
    Cindy
  • cjmac49
    cjmac49 Member Posts: 100
    #4
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    Talk to the staff at the
    Talk to the staff at the oncologist about this issue. I was told that if I had no appetite that it could be a subtle form of nausea and I was given medication that worked quite well. The nurses asked about my diet and watched my weight every week. Everyone is different so there may be other remedies to help get some of his appetite back.

    Good luck.

    Jim
  • K_ann1015
    K_ann1015 Member Posts: 500
    #5
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    HI Nancy,
    my dad went
    HI Nancy,

    my dad went through that stage a couple of times--he really couldn't eat---the worst was after chemo--there were chemo burns in his esophagus so it hurt and "nothing tasted right". Also--some stuff just tasted bad to him. My mom was at her wits end. The thing that helped was when the nutritionist & Dr talked to him and told him point blank that if he didn't drink at least 6 ensures a day to at least maintain his weight--he would not be able to have the surgery. So....he began to treat the nutrition like "medicine" and sat down to have one every 2 hours. It took a while for each and I am sure not fun to fight with your body just to drink and eat a little, but he DID it! As Lori likes to say---He ut on his big boy boxers and did it. He used his stubbornness in a different way!

    So...finding why he's not eating & find something that "clicks" with him (that makes him try harder). Sometimes trying different foods also helps. (I also find prayer helps me with patience & wisdom!)

    stay in touch!
    Kim
  • mmr19
    mmr19 Member Posts: 75
    #6
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    Welcome-
    Hi Nancy-
    You have found the best place for answers. There are alot of people here who have 'been there-done that'. And they are all very helpful.

    My husband has times when he has no appetite...nothing tastes good.....he just doesn't feel good (esp. after chemo). I found Nestle VHC (Very High Calorie). It has 560 calories and 23 gr of protein. We showed it to the dietician and she said it is complete nutrition if he drinks 4 a day. They are 8 oz cans so it is easier for him to get them down. I believe that it has really helped him maintain his weight because he doesn't eat enough otherwise. The only problem is that you can only buy it online. I found it for $31 a case of 24.
    And thankfully-he likes it!

    Good luck and hold on tight.....it's quite a roller coaster!
    Marta
  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #7
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    Yes they are!
    Nancy,
    Yes, they can be so stubborn....but we love them anyway! When my huband was having his chemo, he also had very little appetite. I tried the shakes.....tried to entice him with adding ice cream or frozen yogurt....but sometimes that did not agree with him. He didn't care for the ensure or boost....carnation instant breakfast (hi protein)and cream of wheat was basically all I could get him to eat. Her lost around 60 lbs.....lucky for him, he could spare it. The appetite did come back after he was done with his infused chemo. He is on oral chemo now and that doesn't appear to hurt his appetite. He has to watch what he eats or else he pays for it.....
    So be patient......I know it is frustrating....
    Good luck....keeping you both in my prayers.
    Jane
  • nancyann3
    nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
    #8
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    JaneE2366 said:

    Yes they are!
    Nancy,
    Yes, they can be so stubborn....but we love them anyway! When my huband was having his chemo, he also had very little appetite. I tried the shakes.....tried to entice him with adding ice cream or frozen yogurt....but sometimes that did not agree with him. He didn't care for the ensure or boost....carnation instant breakfast (hi protein)and cream of wheat was basically all I could get him to eat. Her lost around 60 lbs.....lucky for him, he could spare it. The appetite did come back after he was done with his infused chemo. He is on oral chemo now and that doesn't appear to hurt his appetite. He has to watch what he eats or else he pays for it.....
    So be patient......I know it is frustrating....
    Good luck....keeping you both in my prayers.
    Jane

    Thanks everyone!!
    Thanks to everyone for your stories and advice. I well be telling my story more as time goes on. So I hope to keep in touch with all of you.

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