Congrats on completing the treatments!

You mentioned that "because he felt bloated". If he is taking any pain meds, constipation can be a real problem - even if he is only drinking meal replacements! He will feel more like eating if things are moving along smoothly. Your PA or oncology nurse will likely have some suggestions.

Maria

Wonderful news, Colleen! Sounds like your husband is doing so much better! As Maria mentions, it might be a good idea to check on how things are moving out and not just your husband's nutrition intake. My son also had constipation - pain meds can do that. I remember having to get stool softeners for him over-the-counter at the drugstore.

He always feels better with the hydration too. : )

Yes we have had issues with constipation, have an arsenal of remedies on hand .

Glad that you have a variety of remedies. Some on this board refer to cancer as the big "C" and constipation as the little "c".

The little "c" is not so little to the one experiencing it. In fact, I've had friends who get really grouchy when in the throes of the little "c". So it's good to keep on top of it - or ahead of it. We had a really good thread on this some time ago with some great suggestions on various ways to cope. Hope everything comes out ok. :-)

Congratulations on completing treatment. He will start feeling better in a couple of weeks and you will too.

Way to go Colleen, 3 more tough weeks to go. My goal at that time was just "get thru the next feeding". It sucked, but improvement is not far off. Once he sees "Improvement", watch his attitude improve.

So we have entered week two of the recovery phase. We have some issues trying to get the prescribed 6 cans in per day. He has been getting the water intake in, but only averaging 2 cans of the 6 he is supposed to be doing.. Have had some not so good falling outs about this over the wknd as so concerned as he is just wasting away on me! Took a hands off approach since, thinking maybe if i just let him do...he will step up to the plate but still only two cans.To me I feel like he is sabotaging his own recovery. I did call the PA and told her what was going on. She said she would talk to him that day as he was coming in for IV hydration. But she felt right now if he was getting the water in that was good and he could work on getting the nutrition up. I totally disagree with that, and think we should be working on a plan to get the prescribed ammt in- whether it be from continuous feeds during nite or ? Any pros, cons or suggestions. He is taking sips of water,tried some jello, not so good. Made him some mashed potatoes as MD stated thicker stuff would be easier....but he was,not interested..input appreciated, thx.

Listen I was just as stubborn probably more so than he sounds and I was not getting enough cans post Tx and one day appx 2 weeks POST Tx I was so weak, so frail, so ashen looking my wife said she was taking me to the hospital. I initially refused and she said "OK so just lie there (in the bed) and DIE!" With that she left the room. I couldn't talk so I had to wait for her to come back which she did after a few minutes. I was ready to concede. I was admitted and the docs said I was 24 hours from dying. They inserted a nasal tube in me; I used it for 2 weeks; pulled it out at home myself and it saved my butt! Of course she was the one that really saved me.

Moral is to have them insert the nasal tube. It only takes a minute or so and it was totally pain free. It makes a HUGE difference because there is no longer any pain from trying to swallow and it cured my nausea which was my main nemesis during recovery. As I said, after I knew I didn't need it anymore I called my doc and he gave me the OK to pull it out myself. The rest has been all up hill except the getting older part.