My mom has cancer and is done with her chemo-therapy treatments. She has lost so much weight and is not ?
Myra A asked:
eating. I don’t know what to feed her. Every time I cook something for her, she doesn’t eat it. Please help!
eating. I don’t know what to feed her. Every time I cook something for her, she doesn’t eat it. Please help!
It’s not uncommon for people to lose their appetite during or after chemo because food tastes differently and they don’t desire it. Try things like milk shakes, snack crackers…anything. Even if it’s not a meal, it will offer some nutrition
Well maybe you can at least make her some high calorie drinks/smoothies to sip on while she is in between meals. Try and incorporate some of her favorite flavors. Good Luck..hang in there…
Bravo for you for cooking for her! That is so sweet of you. Make sure she is taking her vitamins and that will up her appetite. She can check with the Doc to see which ones are best.
this is a common occurrence in folks that have gone through chemo. it’s also very common in those who’s cancer is closer the end stage.
it’s human nature for those of us caring for the sick to try to feed them. we tend to think that’s the answer and that they’ll feel better of get better if they just eat something. this is not the case. her taste buds are shot right now due to her treatment. don’t worry, they’ll come back and then she’ll start eating.
For a while i wanted NOTHING. The only thing i would eat was rice. Maybe try somthing that has strong flavor otherwise. Tastes changed afer chemo. It WILL get better in time. And her weight will go up. Talk to her doc, see what he says.
Try Ensure- it tastes sweet and bland, so it usually doesn’t cause nausea. If she can tolerate fat (some patients cannot, depending on the type of cancer), make her milkshakes, mashed potatoes with butter, or baked potatoes. Starchy food and bland food is usually better tolerated. My sister ate polenta and baked potatoes for days, since it was one of the few things that didn’t make her nauseated.
Ask your mom if she feels like eating something specific, or if she thinks that there’s something that won’t make her nasueated. They can also give you suggestions and recipes for milkshakes and smoothies that are easy on the stomach but have enough protein and calories to keep your mom going. If the doctor doesn’t help you, talk with the hospital’s social worker who can direct you to a nutritionist- almost all hospitals have nutrition counselors who can give you some ideas.
If she keeps losing weight, talk to her doctor- they can give her meds to help with the nausea and with the nasty metalic taste, and can give her IV nutrition if she needs to have it.