Kathy, welcome to OCF! I am very sorry to hear about your mother and her rapidly decreasing health. She must feel horrible, poor thing! I was hospitalized for malnutrition and dehydration and felt terrible so I understand what she is going thru. Dont worry, you have come to the right place for help.

My suggestions would be to make sure she is being treated at a large cancer center where they are most familiar with treating oral cancer patients. This will give her the very best shot if she goes thru treatments.

Cancer Centers

My concern is the nutrition and dehydration. She must be on an IV since she is hospitalized. Since she has a Gtube I do not understand why she isnt given one of the formulas which has more calories and nutrients than Boost or Ensure. Also what about using a feeding pump? This can be slowed down and the formula can be mixed with water. The 2 main reasons people cant tolerate their formulas are the speed it goes and that its too thick or heavy. By slowing down the feeding and adding water it should solve the problem. Of course with 100s of kinds on the market, there is bound to be one with higher calories would work for her. I used two-cal which was 560 calories per can, all she would need is 4 or 5 cans a day. If she has not seen a nutritionist then the facility is not doing its job, speak up and ask for one. All too often the staff is overworked so you must be her advocate and her voice. Any oral cancer patient being so small needs at least 2500 calories and 48 oz of water daily, with your moms situation I would suggest to try to get more like 3500 calories into her. Just one day after she would take this much in she would feel better.

Carbo is commonly used to replace cisplatin. Im glad the docs chose another chemo as cisplatin can be very hard on the kidneys and in your mothers situation this could be devastating.

Wishing you both all the best!