Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 3 replies
  • Views 186 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Help - need to build up husband, stage 4 oesophageal cancer

Martin261056
Offline

Hello

.My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 Osophageal cancer in December after beig admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

It has ben a brutal timeHe is 62 and  am 51. He is now on his 3rd stage of chemo.

We are going through an extremely bad time due to my lack of cooking skills. I feel it is tearing us apart.

I can't do right for doing wrong in respect of cooking. He is need of cals but strugglng with lack of ingredients due to Covid - 19.

Any support? Any ingredients or support.

I feel very alone.

  • Offline

    I'm sorry you are going through a difficult time. 
     

    have a look at the oesophageal patients association they have information and recipes that can help when patients are unable to eat much. Contact your team and get a supply of fortisip drinks, they're not very nice but can be valuable for added calories. Also you could ask for a dietician referral, they can always supply other supplements that can be added to food and other tips and if things become really difficult there are always feeding tubes that can deliver nutrition. 
     

    don't sit in silence. Good luck x

  • Offline

    Hi Martin try Holland and Barratt they sell nutrition drinks and additives like milk shake. To help boost people up, some chemist shops have them as well. Good luck and best wishes for the future. 

    Billy 

  • Offline

    Hi,

    To be frank it probably isn't your lack of cooking skills that's the issue, I know from experience that the type of chemo he is probably on plays havoc with your taste buds. 

    There are lots of recipes online which might help. Seriously, anything that he can keep down will be useful. Chocolate, cake, home made smoothies and home made thick shakes got me through the worst. Avoid anything with citrus fruit in it - full fat milk for the milkshakes helps boost the calories as does adding a little sugar and even cream. Smooth peanut butter and banana shakes sound awful but worked for me. My wife almost force fed me with home made soups blitzed in a liquidiser to get some decent food into me.

    Google body building shakes and you'll find a lot of useful recipes and online stores - Amazon have lots too and will deliver next day.

    Good luck with finding something he can keep down and doesn't taste awful to him.

    Dave

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.