Mum was diagnosed July 2019 aged 89 stage 3b. Stent fitted, palliative care. Still with us although currently in the hospice. Horrible, nasty disease. I feel for you

Mum was diagnosed July 2019 aged 89 stage 3b. Stent fitted, palliative care. Still with us although currently in the hospice. Horrible, nasty disease. I feel for you

Hi So sorry to hear this cancer is an awful disease.  My mum has just been diagnosed and we are doing the natural route although she will need a stent soon as she is struggling with liquidised food.  She is worried about this can you give me some help/advice how your grandma was with the stent fitted?  Sending you both lots of well wishes

My wife was diagnosed with oesophogial cancer in February 2021 (aged mis 50's) and underwent Chemo/radiotherapy. During this we were told we had to keep her weight up. Although she could eat some solids she could not take enough to maintain weight. I found that the addition of cream or grated cheese to meals helped to maintain her weight. She was told at the end of teatment in July 2021 that the biospsy was all clear. Over the next 2 months her eating returned to normal (although if going to a restaurant she would choose softer foods) and by Christmas she was eating normally. However by February some symptoms that not all was right returned and by April she was struggling to eat or keep food down. After an endoscope it was confirmed the cancer was back. Although a surgical intervention was suggested (surgical removal of scar tissue and cancer) we are still waiting for things to progress. She had a stent fitted in August 2022).

Her eating has deteriorated badly during the time and she is now on liquidised food, yoghurts, ice creams, custart and trifles (all of which are full fat versions not reduced fat) . We have been told not to worry about a balanced diet just to maintain her weight. Liquidised foods with any texture cause problems (regurgitation) as do the buld up of mucus from the mouth. I have found tha potato based soups with cream or cheese are tolerated examples are Parsnip and potato soup with cream, Butternut squash with potato and cheese, leek and potato soup with blue cheese. I have also found that addig cream and cheese makes the soups to rich and not tolerated. She is on half hourly feeds with small amounts at each meal and is currently maintaining her weight.

Ihope this helps