Hi

Thank you so much for your reply. I think a panic sets in because my dad is not eating much and It is just so hard to see him losing the weight. The nurse is visiting him next week which will be good as can have a chat about meds and appetite.

Fran

My Mum too has been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and wasn't eating. I have been getting Ensure plus shakes - 3 a day (900 calories) you can get them on Amazon. My best friend is an oncology nurse and suggested it to me.

We now have a prescription for it from the Dietician. It doesn't replace food but will give the needed calories to keep him going xx

Hi

Thank you I will definately get some of them, they sound ideal my dad will manage them.

Thanks again

Yes very easy to drink, quite a thin consistency and have almost 30 vitamins and minerals plus calories. Not a meal replacement so do try easy stuff like jelly, ice cream, mash etc but this will make him feel better.

How are you coping? Xx

Hi Fran, Faye is right the shakes help and are supplied free by the cancer nurses.  My husband hated them but it was those or food, he always chose food!  Don't panic, my husband is three years on, aged 73 with palliative care only, stage 4 lung, liver mets and lymph nodes, it's hard but keep looking on the positive side because that helps as well.  Good luck, Carol x 

Hi

I bought some drinks for my dad, he quite likes them, I’m hoping they will help boost him up. I have asked for a prescription for them so he can have everyday.

I am doing ok thank you, very up and down and very sad. As a family we are worrying about my mum as she is struggling with the upset and worry of losing him. Just trying to stay a positive as we can.

I am so glad you managed to get some, they do make a difference. Keep me posted, I hope they bring some ease to him and some needed vitamins and minerals and a little less worry to you all xxx

Hi 

I'm glad the energy drinks are appetising for your Dad . My husband could only manage drinking milk so the oncology dietician advised adding dried skimmed

Marvel milk to fortify the drink with  protein and vitamins .
We also added Marvel milk to custard , milkshakes ,

and rice pudding . You can buy it from most supermarkets it's not expensive .

I agree  the rules of eating at dinner time go out the window and if he fancied it my husband ate choc  ices and cornettos  , croissants ... 
He seemed to crave strong flavoured foods like blue cheese on bits of cracker or Chinese sweet and sour pork . He only managed  the tiniest mouthfuls but he enjoyed eating it . 
Good luck !

Look  after your self and your Mum ,

try to remember eat and drink too .
It is so easy to forget to eat with everything you are coping with .

 It will help you both keep going and cope with  the trauma of everything thrown at you  .

best wishes 

ksg

Hi

Thank you, my dad has been eating bits and pieces, odd piece of fish, choc ices, weetabix banana, and picks at meals etc, not much of any substance but he’s now starting to have the drinks as well. A nurse visited today to check his medication and how he is doing, she said he has thrush in his mouth and has prescribed antibiotics and drops so hopefully if thats treated he might feel like eating a little more. 

My mum isn’t eating as much, I think it is because my dads not, I tell her she needs her strength to help dad. We all go and help often through the week, She’s got a heart problem bought on from losing my brother to prostate cancer 4 years ago at 59. I feel for her as well.

thank you all so much for your replies.