Talk Cancer

Question:

Hi Jackie…The "anorexia-cachexia" cycle is well known in late stage cancer patients.  The following article can provide a good overview http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/502423?src=mp An oncologist can prescribe medications that can treat such situations.  Sometimes gastro or throat blockages, or brain tumors can also be responsible for the lack of appetite in these situations…Best wishes and good health, Ron

Response:

Hi Jackie. Often…they use Periactin (an antihistamine) as an appetite stimulant…and of course…marijuana. Medical or not. My best wishes, Ron B. Chicago

Response:

Marriage is intended to be two-shall-become-one experience.  When the inevitable non-concurrent death comes, the survivor loses a portion of one’s self….  at least half….  but I believe a preponderance.  She may not let go even when he’s interred. I think all you can do is understand that and help her through it.  Maybe if she knows it is the biological functioning of the body it will be easier for her. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75 PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA  .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank you.  I think this is what is happening, but my sister is not willing to let go. Jackie One recently explained it to me by a hospice worker as the body turning off moreso than the person disregarding food. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75 PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA  .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum We desperately need an appetite stimulant for my BIL.  Any ideas will be entertained. He is in his 11th year of CA of Prostate, (TUR about 11 or 12 years ago) with bone met now, and I am wondering about brain because he sometimes is less than sensible. My sister is working overtime to feed him what he likes, incorporating smoothies prn. She does not want to give up on trying and thinks that when she does, he will give up and die.  But he eats practically nothing she prepares. Is he "turning off the world"? Jackie

Response:

My father avoided food during the last couple of months of Parkinson’s Disease which left him with an intact mind in a non-functioning body. Whether it was a conscious effort on his part to hasten the end or a lack of appetite we don’t know.  Either way, his body shut down and he died.  My poor mom tried desparately to spoon feed him but he would turn his head away (the only part of his body he could move) or block his mouth with his tongue.  It was so sad to watch my mother pleading "You’ve got to eat" while I’m thinking "Why?  Let the man go." These are very tough times for your BIL and his wife plus other family members as well.  The important thing is that he be made as comfortable as possible and that nobody be left with guilt for not having "done enough." The best to you all. Dave Perry

Response:

Thank you.  I think this is what is happening, but my sister is not willing to let go. Jackie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One recently explained it to me by a hospice worker as the body turning off moreso than the person disregarding food. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75 PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA  .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum We desperately need an appetite stimulant for my BIL.  Any ideas will be entertained. He is in his 11th year of CA of Prostate, (TUR about 11 or 12 years ago) with bone met now, and I am wondering about brain because he sometimes is less than sensible. My sister is working overtime to feed him what he likes, incorporating smoothies prn. She does not want to give up on trying and thinks that when she does, he will give up and die.  But he eats practically nothing she prepares.  Is he "turning off the world"? Jackie

Response:

We desperately need an appetite stimulant for my BIL.  Any ideas will be entertained. He is in his 11th year of CA of Prostate, (TUR about 11 or 12 years ago) with bone met now, and I am wondering about brain because he sometimes is less than sensible. My sister is working overtime to feed him what he likes, incorporating smoothies prn. She does not want to give up on trying and thinks that when she does, he will give up and die.  But he eats practically nothing she prepares.  Is he "turning off the world"? Jackie

Response:

One recently explained it to me by a hospice worker as the body turning off moreso than the person disregarding food. — Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA  .1  .1  .1  .27  .37  .75 PSA  .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05 PSA  .07 .05 .06 .05 non Illegitimi carborundum

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We desperately need an appetite stimulant for my BIL.  Any ideas will be entertained. He is in his 11th year of CA of Prostate, (TUR about 11 or 12 years ago) with bone met now, and I am wondering about brain because he sometimes is less than sensible. My sister is working overtime to feed him what he likes, incorporating smoothies prn. She does not want to give up on trying and thinks that when she does, he will give up and die.  But he eats practically nothing she prepares.  Is he "turning off the world"? Jackie

Response: