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 

Parents
  • 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

Reply
  • 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

Children