My heart is broken. My dad’s cancer had progressed, he has started chemo but overall is very unwell. He’s lost almost 30 pounds in the last few months and is having a lot of pain. We have to help him with getting out of the bed and at times putting on his shoes and clothes. All the pain medicine he used to refuse, he now takes. All the things he loved to do are gone. The less he eats the weaker her gets.
He really WANTS to eat, but every time he gets the food he just can’t do it. My heart breaks seeing him this way. He had to miss my graduation because he is too weak and he just didn’t have it in him. I’ll do anything to help him, please if you have any tips about food, effective and efficient weight gain, protein drinks (he hates ensure but we’re working on another one that more of a juice), oils ANYTHING. I would be so grateful.
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of course the ole stand-by of cannabis springs immediately to mind.
Thc can make about anyone feel ravishingly hungry , and have fun while eating.
Thc products made from hemp are not federally controlled and legal in the vast majority of states. You can simply order in a jar of gummies thru the mail to try out. I’d suggest trying hemp derived HHC gummies. They have a milder-ish high ( happy one ) and the HHC molecule gives surprising pain relief. All while making you super hungry. You can buy hemp thc products, legally, thru the mail nowadays.
This is just my anecdotal IMHO, your experience may vary. And, as always, check with your medical team for contraindications.
When I was about to start chemo my nurse told me I would probably find it hard to eat now and then, and ”if you only feel like eating potato chips some days - then just eat chips”. In other words - if you can find something that feels ok to eat at the moment then go for it.
I don’t know where he is in his chemo journey but after about 3-4 treatments my husband’s appetite returned and he began gaining weight again.
We had been vegetarian for over 25 years but he decided to start eating meat again to help with weight gain. And like Mike 1971 said he should eat anything and everything that sounds good to him, milkshakes, ice cream, fruit smoothies made with Ensure, mashed potatoes and gravy, tamales, tacos, beans 💁🏽♀️
Mashed potatoes and gravy are truly his go to haha! He only had his first treatment but the appetite was an issue from before treatment. His next treatment is next week!
He seems to be doing better with food right now but he took a bit of a spill so that has slowed him back down
Here are a few suggestions from my husband's experience. Make sure your father's oncologist is regularly testing his white blood cell count and administering a white blood cell serum if needed. This is a regular problem with chemo patients and makes them weak and tired. I found Garden of Life, Raw Organic Protein, Plant-based, Vanilla flavor was a protein powder my husband liked and could digest when mixed with almond milk, twice a day. As someone else suggested, serve him whatever he would like to eat. My husband wanted mac 'n cheese and then moved on to other food. The oncologist should be giving your father a steroid and nausea medicine at each treatment, which help to handle the chemo. Basic vitamins will help strength your father between treatments. Getting him up and moving, sitting in the sun, weather permitting, are also helpful. Keep up your spirits. I wish you and your father the best.
Does he take either Wegovy or Ozempic? If so those are most likely the cause of the decreased appetite; talk to the doctor first but consider stopping those.
If you live in TX you can get him on the Compassionate Use Program (texasoriginal.com) for legal THC tinctures. The 0:1 (100%) THC tincture has helped my appetite, along with certain other things that are not legal in TX.
Have you tried making baby food in a blender or something like that? It'll go down easier.
I used to make smoothies for my Dad which I designed to match the calorie content of Boost. Recipes:
Chocolate: 2 level tblsp organic or fermented chocolate powder, 1.5 tblsp maple syrup, 1 tblsp coconut cream(coconut milk or shredded coconut would be alternatives), 1.5 tblsp almond butter (can also use hazelnut or cashew butter or seed butters, like pumpkin and sunflower), 1 tblsp creme fraiche or yogurt, 3/4 cup water
Strawberry: 1 cup fresh strawberries (could use 1/2 cup frozen, or freeze dried powdered - try 2 tbls), 2tblsp maple syrup, 2 tblsp coconut cream (alts under recipe above), 2 tsp creme fraiche, 2 tblsp almond butter (alts under recipe above), 1/4 cup water
Vanilla: 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1.5 tblsp maple syrup, 1 tblsp coconut cream, 1 tblsp creme fraiche or yogurt, 2 tblsp almond butter, optional: pinch of nutmeg (or cinnamon as an alternative), 3/4 cup water
These might be a starting point for you. Let me know if you need sources for any of the above.
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