New to the group

Breanne 6 years ago

6 replies

Hello. Thank you for accepting me to the group. My husband was diagnosed with stomach cancer before Christmas. So far we have been for so many tests and are finally getting to a point where chemo may be starting hoping to shrink his tumour with an idea of following up with either a partial or total gastrectomy. Our problem is that we talk to so many people concerning his inability to eat, it’s not every day but today, again he’s kept nothing down. He had a call from a dietitian who doesn’t know him and the advice is always the same.....soft food or soup and these are often the things that he can’t eat. We are so tired and it’s beginning to impact on our ability to talk to each other, feel like I don’t know what to do anymore, I just want to keep his strength up to face this chem. Thank you for reading this, I could do with some help. Anne

Support 6 years ago

Hi Anne,

I am sorry to read about your husband’s recent diagnosis. I need to make you aware that we are not medically trained here at the Support Line. You say that your husband has spoken to a dietician, who doesn’t know him, has he been referred for specialist support from dietician? We have some basic information about coping with nausea and vomiting here:

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/terminal-illness/manage-symptoms/feeling-sick-vomiting

Caring for can be both rewarding and challenging and it is important to take time to look after your own needs. You may find the information in this section of the website helpful:

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/being-there

If you would like to talk about things in more detail please call our Freephone Support Line on 0800 090 2309, or drop us a line via Web Chat: 

https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/marie-curie-support-line

Best Wishes

Brigette

Marie Curie Support Line

Breanne 6 years ago

Thank you. I hope we’re seeing a dietitian tomorrow. Just feeling a bit desperate, a woman always feels the need to feed and I just feel helpless when he can’t keep anything down. Anne

Support 6 years ago

Hi Anne,

I appreciate what you are saying. We talk to many people who struggle with the need to feed vs patient's nausea and sickness. I think from an early age we learn the link between providing food and shelter and love. Watching a loved one struggle to keep food down can be upsetting and distressing. Hopefully the dietician will come up with some helpful suggestions tomorrow. In the meantime do feel free to contact ourselves if you need a listening ear or a little emotional support. 

Best Wishes

Brigette

Marie Curie Support Line

Breanne 6 years ago

Thank you

Breanne 6 years ago

At the moment we’re dealing with problem of food not getting to the stomach because of the tumour rather than nausea. I’m just wondering if anyone has any tips to help with this, tried liquids, sloppy, solid.....quite a mad world 🙄