Any advice please on protein drinks - husband has bowel cancer and not eating much

Hello alL

i have been on the site late last year.  My husband has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, the tumour is in the right side of his colon.  He was due an operation at the end of Christmas but as he has COPD and a pacemaker the anaesthetist wanted him to have further tests to assess whether he was strong enough for the operation.  I am pleased to say he is.

His operation was due for today, he duly arrived for surgery at 7 this morning but has been sent home this afternoon because there are no available ICU beds for him.

I am concerned because he’s not eating much - he’s lost one and a half stone in weight and seems to be getting weaker.  He’s 78. He’s very concerned about constipation which he has suffered from since this diagnosis so I think this is one of the reasons he’s not eating plus he says he not hungry.  I make him soups etc but can anyone recommend a protein drink etc that may help rekindle his taste buds.  I am also anxious that another delay is not helping as to if the cancer is spreading to other areas.

thank you in advance 

  • Hello

    I'm very sorry to hear about your husband.  My father has not been diagnosed yet but we are extremely concerned about his current situation which has some similarities with that of your husband.  He has lost a similar amount of weight and has been prescribed some high-calorie protein shakes called Ensure Plus.  They come in a few different flavours and he's finding them very tolerable despite not feeling able to consume much of his usual diet.  I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link but if you type the name into google I'm sure you'll find it.

    I hope everything works out well for you both.

    Take care.

  • Thank you Bushack for your reply and help.  I will Google that name.

    it’s a very worrying time isn’t it - thought my husband would have had the surgery yesterday and to have him back home not having it done yet it’s very sad, but it is as it is.  All the staff at the hospital have been great and very apologetic on a lack of ICU beds.  This, of course, makes my husband anxious and his lack of appetite worse. Another week of waiting is very hard for him ( and me).

    I hope you get a diagnosis for your father soon and all goes well for him and all your family.

    Best wishes to you x

  • Hi.

    I buy protein drinks from sainsbury's for my OH. He doesn't eat much when on chemo, and these really help him. He can't drink the ones the dietician gave him. Taste too chemical He said. 

    The ones I buy are called Grenade. They're in the medicine Isle and where the body building snacks are. 

    There's vanilla,  strawberry,  and chocolate flavours.  

    xx

  • Hello Heady1, I am sorry to hear about your husband and the problems with constipation and also lack of appetite. I would have thought that your GP should be prescribing laxatives and also High protein drinks . Some of them are quite sweet and sickly ,but I think there is a neutral one that can be added to soups . I would try the Gp surgery first though ,all the best and let’s hope he gets seen soon xx

  • Thank you player1 - I’ll get some for my husband. Hope your OH is keep well. Xx

  • Thanks Rumpelstiltskin my husband sees his GP tomorrow so he will ask him.

    best wishes xx

  • So sorry for your situation.

    My mum had recently been diagnosed with stage 3 Lung Cancer but prior to that she has lost her appetite due to other health conditions.

    She has a Complan every morning - most of the protein comes from milk powder and you can add milk to make up the drink. She likes the original plain flavour and adds Nesquick milkshake powder for taste.  You can also add  Complan to creamy pasta sauces and smoothies etc.  Find whatever he likes the taste of most.  It also has other vitamins in it.

    In the supermarket there are alot of high protein yogurts/drinks down the dairy aisle now (if you can get to Lidl or Aldi they are more cost effective).  Or you can check out those aimed at post gym recovery. Again most of the protein comes from milk powder so it's often more costs effective to make a smoothie.  You can get protein powder on Amazon at a decent price including alternatives to dairy like Soy/Pea/Hemp etc. 

    I hope this helps x

  • My wife has anal cancer which hasn't responded to radiotherapy and is having problems with her chemo.

    We spoke to a nutritionist yesterday, as her appetite has disappeared and she has problems with constipation. We were recommended to give her 3Fortisip/Fortijuice a day to supplement any food she does manage.

    Not strictly a protein drink, but they do contain protein as well as calories and other essentials. We have managed to get them prescribed, but they are available to buy

  • Thank you Merakik I will try those and have just bought a blender to make smoothies x

    All the best for your mum x

  • Thank you Oldmanj

    People on this site are so helpful and kind..

    best wishes to you and your wife and i

    do hope she has a speedy recovery