My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer

anita1948
I had a feeding tube for several months while I could not swallow due to esophageal cancer which I have now recorded from after chemo and radiation. When I got the feeding tube, my doc recommended Isosource which comes in cartons and has recommended nutriments. Has your sisters doctor recommended something?
Don

Hi Don, she is very weak and only able to handle 3 8.5 oz carton of nutrition. Each one has 350 calories and the doctor wants her to get at least 2000 per day. I’m researching how I can make her something in a blender with higher calories. I have to take her on Monday to see her doctors so hopefully I will get the green light to create something for her.

What about those Boost high calorie drinks? I’d ask her doctor if they’re okay for her particular situation but maybe something she could “drink” less of with more calories would help. Nestle also makes some formulas to use via feeding tubes that are meant for folks needing additional nutrients and calories.

Thank you, I will put this on my list of questions for tomorrow. Takes a village.

Sugar doesn't feed cancer. That's a myth. Sugar is going to be needed for your sister to gain weight. Excess added sugars aren't good if they cause obesity is, diabetes or cardiac issues, but a lot of the meal and protein shakes have a lot of sugar for the high calorie content they provide. Complex carbs like fruit cups provide natural sugars and nutrition, while boosting calories as well. Talk with your nutritionist to get a specific diet plan put together. Good luck!

Thank you for the information. I'm looking into making her a high calorie low sugar shake which can be put into her feeding tube. She can't have anything by mouth not even saliva. In addition, she will have the nutrition cartons supplied to her from her doctors. They want her to get around 2000 to 2200 calories per day. I just need to get the okay for what I'm able to give her or not with the radiation and chemo she will be getting. I've researched in the past about how to starve cancer and what cancer needs to survive, trying to get back into that mindset to help my sister. Oxygen is not cancer's friend, added sugar is. Some of the research I can recall is cancer grows where it can find a dry or damaged cell in our body. I will be focused on what I can do to help her and all the conversation I'm receiving on this platform is very supportive.

Be careful about what you put through the NG tube. They block very easily and can be a real pain to get unblocked. I received all nutrition and everyday pills via my tube and when it blocked all hell broke loose. Having it replaced if it couldn't be cleared was a nightmare.

I completely agree, everything would have to be the consistency of her nutrition shake. Hoping the radiation shrinks the tumor so she can eat and drink. Keeping hope alive

I had nasopharyngeal carcinoma stage IV more than 15 yrs ago, and I had a feeding tube inserted to my stomach before I started my 35 rounds of radiation. I was told that I would not be able to swallow a week or two into radiation. Sure enough, I was not able to any food and even swallowing water was a problem. The feeding tube was for me to drip Ensure Plus for nutrition - was to have 4 cans of Ensure Plus a day, but could only manage 1 or 2 cans a day. Weight loss was 20 lbs during this ordeal.
But believe - there are more options to nutritional drinks these days.

I was on a feeding tube for one year during my treatments for stage 4 esophageal cancer. Following chemo, radiation, and surgery I used both a regular feeding tube and a feeding tube using a pump. The pump allowed me a very slow ingestion of the supplement and I would even be hooked up to the pump at night while I slept. I was able to gain weight back to the point of pre-diagnosis weight. The feeding tube was removed 6 months after surgery. The nutritionist was able to fine tune the supplement used so that I had a high calorie liquid that I could tolerate. I was unable to take anything by mouth. I am now 6 years cancer free.