Mum has rectal cancer: Is it normal not to want to eat?

Hi razc. Bless you for taking care of your mum, I hope she fares well. Unfortunately, through treatment and then recovery there is no normal, but I think it is expected that she does not want to eat. Sometimes I did not eat because I was not hungry, but more often, I was afraid to eat because I knew what would happen next. She must find the balance so she can get the nutrients and calories to heal, look for healthy but also palatable. If you can, get a good variety of foods and when she finds the best stuff, stock up. Please also take care of yourself. Happy New Year.

How long did u take to recover. She has constant runny tummy and only wants sleep. Should I push her to be active or should I let her rest. Any help will be appreciated

I am still recovering (it has been three months), but I did not have the surgery, it was the chemo and radiation. I do not want to be “pushed” and I rested a lot, even though it is true that some movement is required and helps with the fatigue and appetite. When the time was right, I was able to get up and move more. Even now, on bad days, I allow myself time to rest. Keep a close eye and support (ask her how she is feeling often and listen, it is not just the physical health, but the mental health). Also, if she does not, talk with her doctors, nurses, any staff for advice.

It may also depend on where you live- I am in Florida so in the summer I hated to be outside because of the heat, but now the weather is very pleasant so I enjoy being outside more.

Thank u❤️ I wish u a full speedy recovery. Plz keep mum in ur prayers

It’s completely to be expected. We are going through this with my sweet Momma right now. She had her cancer removed on November 18th but due to a few complications she was in the hospital for three weeks. But I will caution you that this week we had to go and get two days of infusions to get her potassium, calcium and magnesium levels up. It’s been a long road for her. But we are finally seeing the light. She also takes two pills to increase her appetite. All her specialists tell us it doesn’t matter what she eats they just want calories in her body. So we are really heavy on the sweets right now. When she had the Boost drink we had condensed milk to it to provide extra calories. Tricks like that are helping.

@jnutcurl and @razc,I thought I would check in.
How are each of your mothers doing? And how are you, as caregivers, doing?

Colleen that question bright tears to my eyes I’m not really sure I’ve been asked that! Thank you. It’s hard being a caregiver and the emotional and physical toll is hard to bear.

Mom is doing well now. She has the cancer completely removed and opted for a permanent colostomy. Every day her strength is getting better.

I'm actually dealing with this now. I was diagnosed in September and started Chemo and Radiation in early December 2024. I finished Chemo (2-5 day 24/7 sessions) and as of today am on my 28th of 30 Radiation treatments. The past three weeks I find it impossible to hold my bowels. I'm on three different anti-diarehhea meds. If I eat anything I immediately blow out my adult diaper. Sometimes at work. It's absolutely embarrassing. I go several days without eating and only drinking Boost type nutrient drinks. The Radiation Oncologist told me just this week that it's "normal". And that my side effect symptoms should get better in about a week and a half. It's very frustrating. I'm 57 and have to work will going through this to feed my family. I don't know the answer but wanted to share my situation about not wanting to eat right now. Prayers to your Mom AND to you! Stay strong! 💪❤️🙏

@lawrencehaddaway, I think you might be finished both chemo and radiation treatments now. That's a lot to go through in a short period of time. It must be so hard to power through work at the same time. Do you have to work on site or can you sometimes work from home?

How is recovery going? Is the diahrrea getting better?