1. < Lung Cancer

Mom diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Need advice on helping her to eat

Posted by Karyn @kj9, Jun 10, 2020

Hi, I'm pretty new to this group but I've seen the support and help you all give each other and I think it's great. I"m writing today because my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. We are being seen by an oncologist and receiving treatment. Where my sister and I need help is with getting her to eat. to make a long story short, my mother was doing okay until recently when the docs found an arrhythmia and prescribed a blood thinner. Well my mother ate her self up with worry about taking the medicine. She worried so much and she lost a lot of weight. Having lung cancer and losing weight is not a good combination and my problem now is she only eats about 700-900 calories a day. Not enough to gain any weight and certainly not enough sustain yourself. She has always been a petite person but now she is so thin, my sister and are afraid. She doesn't have enough energy to do anything, she's constantly so tired. we try to tell her it's because of lack of nutrition. My sister and I are trying everything to get her to eat enough food in a day. My question is, has anyone experienced this? or have loved one who has gone through this? do you have any suggestions on how to get them eat? open their appetites? what kinds of food might work? I appreciate any thoughts and ideas. My sister and I are at out of our minds with worry. Thank you in advance for your support.

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shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Jun 24, 2020
In reply to @kj9 "Hi, thank you so much for checking in. we did not have a good eating weekend...." + (show)
@kj9

Hi, thank you so much for checking in. we did not have a good eating weekend. Mom just took the first dose of megace yesterday. I hope to get the two prescribed doses in her today. I'm heading to her house in a few, but I understand she's week this morning. She has dry mouth inthe morning and that's bothering her.

How have people gotten over the I don't know what I want to eat, and I feel full issues? how do you force yourself to eat enought?

I know the megace needs time to kick in but those are the other two issues, we are facing. She doesn't know what she feels like eating and ends up taking only a few bites of what she does have in front of her.

Also, her oral meds are daily. No more radiation, so will the oral meds make you feel like this?
Sorry, I have so many questions, I'm trying to figure out how to get her through this so can get some food inher. we did get 1100 calories in her yesterday. so I'm praying for a 1200 calorie day today.
thank you all again so much for your input , prayers and suggestions.

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SHORTSHOT NANCY/ HAVE YOU TRIED "ENSURE" BOOST" OR ONE OF THOSE SUPPLEMENTS? i'M 88 AND HAVE SEVERAL KINDS OF CANCER WHICH INCLUDES BOTH MY LUNGS WITH DIFFERENT KINDS OF CANCER AND NOW ANOTHER IN MY LEFT SIDE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND IT IS. i HAVE MESSSOTHELIOMA IN MY LEFT LUNG AND SMALL CELL CANCER IN MY RIGHT LUNG. DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND IN MY LEFT SIDE AND SOME CANCER ON MY HEAD. I DO HAVE BOOST ONCE A DAY. SEEMS TO HELP SOME. GOOD LUCK! NANCY

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nursed2075 | @nursed2075 | Jun 27, 2020

Have you tried ensure high protein drink? When my appetite was down, I drink between meals to get enough calories in the diet.

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jun 30, 2020

@kj9 - Good morning. How are things going for your mom and you and your sister?

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1 reply
jbhart38731 | @jbhart38731 | Jul 10, 2020

I take Remeron for appetite stimulation , it is an anti depressant drug . It works well , but it has a bad reputation for withdrawl issues. I haven’t attempted to quit taking it , yet . Marinol worked very well for my step mother .

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Karyn | @kj9 | Jul 10, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@kj9 - Good morning. How are things going for your mom and you and your sister?" + (show)
@merpreb

@kj9 - Good morning. How are things going for your mom and you and your sister?

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Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad to let you know that my Mom passed away the other day.
We brought my Mom into the hospital because she wasn't feeling well and was having some difficulty taking a deep breath. Long story bt after tests, the found she had been aspirating her food and they found a blood clot in her lung. After a severe episode in the hospital which put a strain on her lungs and heart, my Mom passed away. We are both very sad right now. thank you all for your suggestions and wishes.

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4 replies
mjkrr2 | @mjkrr2 | Jul 10, 2020
In reply to @kj9 "Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad..." + (show)
@kj9

Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad to let you know that my Mom passed away the other day.
We brought my Mom into the hospital because she wasn't feeling well and was having some difficulty taking a deep breath. Long story bt after tests, the found she had been aspirating her food and they found a blood clot in her lung. After a severe episode in the hospital which put a strain on her lungs and heart, my Mom passed away. We are both very sad right now. thank you all for your suggestions and wishes.

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So sorry for your loss, you and your sister were fortunate to be able to take care of your Mom.

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miriam57 | @miriam57 | Jul 10, 2020

I am so sorry for your loss, thinking of your family from Florida

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jul 10, 2020
In reply to @kj9 "Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad..." + (show)
@kj9

Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad to let you know that my Mom passed away the other day.
We brought my Mom into the hospital because she wasn't feeling well and was having some difficulty taking a deep breath. Long story bt after tests, the found she had been aspirating her food and they found a blood clot in her lung. After a severe episode in the hospital which put a strain on her lungs and heart, my Mom passed away. We are both very sad right now. thank you all for your suggestions and wishes.

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I am so sorry about your mom @kj9. My heart goes out to you and your sister.

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Mentor
Merry, Volunteer Mentor | @merpreb | Jul 11, 2020
In reply to @kj9 "Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad..." + (show)
@kj9

Hi, Thank you for checking in. and Thank you all for your help. I'm very sad to let you know that my Mom passed away the other day.
We brought my Mom into the hospital because she wasn't feeling well and was having some difficulty taking a deep breath. Long story bt after tests, the found she had been aspirating her food and they found a blood clot in her lung. After a severe episode in the hospital which put a strain on her lungs and heart, my Mom passed away. We are both very sad right now. thank you all for your suggestions and wishes.

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@kj9- There's really no way to prepare to say the final goodby, is there? My sisters and I cared for our mom and it was still a shock at the end. My heartfelt condolences on her loss. Lung cancer patients often aspirate food and not even realize it. I'm positive that you and your sister did everything that you could to help keep her comfortable. Be safe and take care of yourselves. We are here to help with your grieving too if you need warm hearts and hugs. I have posted a link below for our Loss and grieving group.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/loss-grief/
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