| Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 280 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 280 | I read that 2500 to 3000 calories a day are good while in treatment. H says that docs put him on 2500 a day last year while in treatment and now he says that is more than anybody could ever need, cancer or not. His attitude towards eating has become exactly that of his late mother. We watched her decline into dementia, and eventually pass away. All the while H was saying how she needed to eat to keep up strength, etc, and felt like that is what caused the dementia. He refuses to accept that losing weight during treatment is BAD. Any articles out there that I might have him read?
CG to my husband, Matt. Dx June 2009 Stage IV Oropharengeal SCC right tonsil primary with distant metastases. Rad to neck- Surgeries to lungs- Every avail chemo - ran out of options Jan 2012, called for hospice help Feb 2012, at rest March 19, 2012.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | I was told 2500 to 3000 a day which I didn't do while in treatment and I lost 30% of my total body weight. Not good because I didn't really have a spare pound to loose going in. However post Tx, after I walked out of that damn tunnel, I tried to get 3000 cals a day and mostly did during my first year post Tx and I didn't gain a pound so to me that tells me that my body must have needed all those cals.
Loosing weight simply said is due to the body consuming more cals than it gets. It takes a loss of some 3500 cals each week or an average of 500 cals each and every day to loose just one pound (the reverse is true for gaining a pound). So if he thinks that putting additional stress on his body during this Tx is not bad then no one can help him.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | C,
During treatment it's tough...I never felt hungry and really hated when I had to be fed through my tube so I really don't think reading an article is going to get him eating more. Even now I have to be "motivated" to eat. Medical MJ is a way to motivate him. Since it's not legal in your state, ask your Dr about Marinol (synthetic THC) that is legal and will cause the munchies.
Good luck
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Have to vehemently disagree about that Marinol. I bought 20 of those pills at $20 a pop and I took 2 or 3 and didn't feel ANYTHING. Not even the slightest change in appetite. Now certainly it could just be me but I have talked to others that have said it had the same non effect on them as well. If you do decide to try it see if you can buy 1 or better yet get a free sample, doubtful.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | I have to go with David on this one. Marinol is a medical scam foisted upon patients by a puritanical and hypocritical DEA. While there are tons of web sites denouncing this cruel fraud, the best and most reasonable (IMO) is that of NORML Marinol vs Natural Marijuana The conclusion of this study says it all [quote]Oral synthetic THC, legally available by prescription as Marinol, often provides only limited relief to a select group of patients, particularly when compared to natural cannabis and its cannabinoids. Patients often experience minimal relief from Marinol and many experience unwanted side effects. In addition, many physicians are hesitant to prescribe the drug, and some patients are unable to afford it. Despite Marinol's legality, many patient populations continue to risk arrest and criminal prosecution to use natural cannabis medically, and most report experiencing greater therapeutic relief from it. The active ingredient in Marinol is a synthetic analogue of only one of the compounds in cannabis that is therapeutically beneficial to patients. By prohibiting the possession and use of natural cannabis and its cannabinoids, patients are unnecessarily burdened to use a synthetic substitute that lacks much of the therapeutic efficacy of natural cannabis and its cannabinoids. [/quote] P.S. As a consolation prize to EricS, this same NORML study also has a chapter on how great the vaporizer for marijuana is for providing real relief to cancer patients. Charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 280 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 280 | Vaporizers seem like a great solution. Wish that we could move =(
CG to my husband, Matt. Dx June 2009 Stage IV Oropharengeal SCC right tonsil primary with distant metastases. Rad to neck- Surgeries to lungs- Every avail chemo - ran out of options Jan 2012, called for hospice help Feb 2012, at rest March 19, 2012.
| | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 16 Member | Member Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 16 | I use benecalorie. Google it. i buy it over the internet. Totally leagle and is considered "medical food" it works GREAT!! Mix it with anythibg. it is only 1.5oz and has 330 calories, 7g of protein and no taste so u can add it to anything. Of course ask your doctor. My husband is end stage and is maintaining/and or gaining weight.
CG 01 SCC LBOT 42YO-part gloss 5 mo rad 03 recur RSCC gloss & R Jaw removed 05 recur LSCC 07 recur RSCC recon R jaw fm left fib 09 recur LSCC gloss & LL jaw. recon fm rt fib 7/10 inoperable.TrachPEG-carbo/taxol 11/11/10 ca back begin erbitux 12/11/10 passed away in sleep - at peace at last!! XOXO
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