| | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 7 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 7 | Thank you for the comments and information regarding taste. My husband is having a terrible time eating, with everything tasting extremely salty, even plain water. He had gained back about 10 lbs of his 30 lb weight loss, but is losing weight again. Seems he has "hit a wall" with appetite, energy, and will to go on. Has anyone found antidepressants to be helpful? He has not wanted to go that route but I think it may be time.
Thanks for listening, look forward to any suggestions.
Debbie
Wife to Jim with cervical node T0N1M0 dx 9/2014
Tonsillectomy with multiple bxs (all neg) 10/2014
Erbitux and IMRT started 11/2014
PEG placed 11/2014
Final rad and Erbitux 1/2015
PEG removed 1/2015
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Many patients find anxiety meds to be a very helpful tool to getting thru their OC battle. Quiet a few caregivers have needed a little extra help too. Its nothing to be ashamed of. Being forced to face your own mortality or that of someone you love isnt easy. A therapist who councils cancer patients probably would be a good idea as well. Easy to Eat Food List (All measurements are estimates) Giant High Calorie Choc-Peanut Butter Milkshake (1200++ calories per shake) 3 or 4 cups chocolate ice cream (regular/full fat type)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth type)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 or 2 cups whole milk (can substitute half and half to add even more calories)
1 scoop carnation instant breakfast
1 scoop high protein whey powder (check with doc if this is ok) Blend this extra long to make it very smooth and creamy so it goes down easier. If the shake is too thick, add more milk to thin it down to what works best.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | Hi Debbie,
For being a couple months past treatments, he is doing pretty good; being able to gain weight back means he was eating very well.
This is a very tough journey and he is certainly worn out and beat up. He has to keep his water intake up or he will become dehydrated very quickly. You did not mention pain but if he is hurting make sure he gets sufficient meds to get that under control. Eating offers no pleasure. It is a job and a hard one too. There were times when I sat at the table for an hour trying to eat a bowl of cereal. One bite every minute or two. Really a tough job.
Many do get a bout of depression due to all the stress and pain and difficulties. Tell the doctor about this mood and they can prescribe something for that too.
The good news is you are over the hump and whole lot closer to feeling good. Hang in there and he'll be up and about in no time!
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | |
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