How can we encourage my dad to eat after cancer treatments?
My father, who is 70, was diagnosed with several brain tumors. He had radiation treatments. And now complains that food doesn't taste the same, which is understandable. I've told my mother to let him pick whatever food he wants, since his cancer is terminal. So she has tried that, but he then still refuses the food he picked out. We've bought him ensure, but he won't drink those. Has anyone else had any experience with this? We are at a loss as to what to do for him. Because of the tumors his personality has changed quite a bit as well, he is much more aggressive and resistant to new ideas.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
the only thing i can think of is letting him as you say choose what he likes on the better days give more encouragement use small portions so that it doesnt look like mountains of food if he's still drinking ok push fluids - mabey try things like milkshakes ice cream? mabey ask the hospital if they could reffer you to a diatician they might be able to help more
2 :
I have brain cancer, upgraded from brain tumors in 2005 due to their location and the doctors inability to operate safely. I had radiation therapy. Traditional mask-screwed-to-the-table therapy. I maxed out. During radiation I had a huge appetite; could have been due to the steroids (Decadron) that I was taking. But after the radiation therapy and after I stopped taking Decadron, I had no appetite. Food tasted terrible and I didn't want to eat. Nothing sounded good either. My doctors told my husband and I that I should pick my food out at the grocery if I felt up to going. Otherwise I should make a list of what sounded good, no matter how crazy it sounded. Ice cream for dinner? Sure! Brownies for breakfast? Why not - eggs, butter, flour....it works! The point is that I began to eat. Little by little. Even though the food didn't taste the same I still ate. I suddenly developed a liking for things I had always hated: carrots, spinach, broccoli, etc. Obviously, when I did eat, I felt better: physically, emotionally, psychologically. I started losing weight and I starting eating more normally. As for the personality changes? That too is "normal". Our normal. You see, we've had our lives turned upside down and we no longer know what "normal" is. Your dad has had a terrible scare and he is trying to adjust to what his new normal could be. Give him time. Let him learn his new normal and new routine. He doesn't like it anymore than you do, but right now that is what he has. Good luck and Peace.
3 :
Radiation does often change the way food tastes, often by dulling the flavor. You can see if sour foods or spicey foods will entice him to eat more, since they have a stronger flavor. You can try very small portions and when he is eating, let him be. When he asks for food, no matter how specific, get it for him. Continue to push fluids and things like ensure, maybe you can mix it into milkshakes to make it taste better. Also, people who's bodies are slowing down need less food, so often times a person will stop eating and drinking before they pass away. Considering you did not share much information, I can't tell you if this is happening. If you have a hospice nurse then he/she should be able to give you more information on what your dad's body is dealing with right now.
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Title : How can we encourage my dad to eat after cancer treatments
Description : How can we encourage my dad to eat after cancer treatments? My father, who is 70, was diagnosed with several brain tumors. He had radiati...