Talk Cancer

Question:

Here in the UK, my mother is on a drink – called something like ‘Build-Up’ – only available on prescription.  It has all the body needs to sustain life. Available in various flavours, both sweet and savoury.  When I visit her tomorrow, I will make a note of what it is definately called etc and post the details. Regards,

Response:

Here in the UK, my mother is on a drink – called something like ‘Build-Up’ – only available on prescription.  It has all the body needs to sustain life. Available in various flavours, both sweet and savoury.  When I visit her tomorrow, I will make a note of what it is definately called etc and post the details. Regards,

I too am in the UK and I have my prescription here in front of me. There are other ones but the stuff I have is listed as Ensure Liquid Feed Can 250 ml They come in chocolate, vanilla, coffee, hazelnut, strawberry and others that I haven’t investigated including savoury . I find the vanilla too sweet but like chocolate, coffee and hazelnut. Its a case of trying for the ones that suit. They are really good for when I don’t want to eat. Without them I think I would be seriously underweight. Jules

Response:

Just back in now, and thats the name.  Ensure!

Response:

Hi She’s stage IV colorectal with liver mets I’ll see if she likes blended shakes – might be useful way of getting some fresh vegetables down her. Also it shouldn’t be too hard on the stent. Thanks Anth

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – can you get her to drink? if she’ll drink, try giving her some ensure or boost drinks…. something my grandma liked was having Chocolate Ensure put into a blender with some ice cream.  at least this way, you don’t have to stress out about where her nutrients are coming from. the shaking could be from pain that she’s unable to consciously recognize…. if it is pain, then that’s a HUGE reason as to why she’s not eating. also, what stage is she in? that could have a lot to do with what’s going on with her. We got her out of hospital today – she’s shaking – it might just be the lack of nutrition. But I doubt I can coax her to eat – tried and I think it just makes her more adamant on not eating. I’m going to have a word with my sister not to mention food Anth Anth…. I’m not sure how much I can help…. from what I’ve read so far, your mom has Liver cancer? please correct me if I"m wrong on the diagnosis…. from my experience with patients with liver cancer, the liver becomes swollen and enlarged…. putting some pressure on the stomach. that may or may not account for the loss of appetite, I’m not sure. there are some nutrients that are metabolized in the liver and if the liver’s not working right, a build up of toxins occur. usually you’ll notice a yellowish tinge to her skin, the whites of her eyes and under her tongue. sometimes those toxins make a person too sick to want to eat…. if she’s in a lot of pain, chances are, that is contributing to her confusion. I’m not sure if this helps. something that was said to me regarding my grandma…. she’ll go when she’s ready to…. she may be keeping herself here because there are still things she has to attend to. only when she’s finished what she needs to finish to her satisfaction can she truly feel at peace…. at least, that’s what I was told…. it helped me to know that…. Hang in there…. I’m praying for you and your mom…. Hi Mother is _still_ in hospital after the stenting operation. She’s not eating much – maybe a few spoons of soup and the odd drink. She’s loosing weight also and has a weird tremor. She’s also saying stuff like "Anthony bring some pads and erm erm erm dunno" She’s forgetting things mid sentence.  Do you think this is because she’s not got much food in her? My dad died with cancer. He got weak and wouldn’t eat. Eventually an opportunist infection got him maybe pneumonia. This is so frustrating how can I get her to eat? I think she’s gave up – lost the will to fight. She says she’s not sick, but she has no appetite. Her pain threshold on her chart is 1 which is low. I’ve tried everything to brighten her up – it doesn’t seem to work now. Anth

Response:

Hi Mother is _still_ in hospital after the stenting operation. She’s not eating much – maybe a few spoons of soup and the odd drink. She’s loosing weight also and has a weird tremor. She’s also saying stuff like "Anthony bring some pads and erm erm erm dunno" She’s forgetting things mid sentence.  Do you think this is because she’s not got much food in her? My dad died with cancer. He got weak and wouldn’t eat. Eventually an opportunist infection got him maybe pneumonia. This is so frustrating how can I get her to eat? I think she’s gave up – lost the will to fight. She says she’s not sick, but she has no appetite. Her pain threshold on her chart is 1 which is low. I’ve tried everything to brighten her up – it doesn’t seem to work now. Anth

Response:

Mother is _still_ in hospital after the stenting operation. She’s not eating much – maybe a few spoons of soup and the odd drink. She’s loosing weight also and has a weird tremor. She’s also saying stuff like "Anthony bring some pads and erm erm erm dunno" She’s forgetting things mid sentence.  Do you think this is because she’s not got much food in her? My dad died with cancer. He got weak and wouldn’t eat. Eventually an opportunist infection got him maybe pneumonia. This is so frustrating how can I get her to eat? I think she’s gave up – lost the will to fight. She says she’s not sick, but she has no appetite. Her pain threshold on her chart is 1 which is low. I’ve tried everything to brighten her up – it doesn’t seem to work now.

Hello Anth, Same thing happened with my Dad, Anth. And we agonized over his not eating and when they stopped the IV fluids. We got upset with them and with each other and eventually had to reach acceptance that we were losing our Dad. It’s so hard Anth, and I really feel for you, especially since you lost your Dad so recently. I’m glad your mam has little pain now. If the doctors (or nurses) tell you that by eating, she could come out of the hospital and/or have quality of life while extending her life, but not extending her suffering, then by all means, ask about some of the medications mentioned here http://www.cancersymptoms.org/symptoms/anorexia/manage/medications.php http://crossingthecreek.com/main_index.htm Appetite decreases The patient may stop eating entirely. Indeed, this is to be expected. Progressive loss of appetite is a hallmark of dying process and is a mechanism by which the body keeps itself more comfortable. This is often very hard for caregivers to accept but it is important to listen to what the patient wants and not what you think s/he ought to be wanting. Bodies have been going through this for thousands of years and have worked out effective techniques for keeping themselves comfortable. Pay attention to what the body is saying it wants