My granfather has prostate, stomach, and lung canc

Hello.  Welcome to Caring's groups.  I'm really glad you found us and posted. 

I'm so sorry about your grandfather's diagnosis.  I've been through similar and watching the decline is so so difficult.  ...especially when it's a big, strong, hardworking man who is becoming more frail.

I know these suggestions may barely touch the tip fo the proverbial iceberg, but if you are with him, have you tried offering him Ensure?  My father-in-law, who had lung cancer, would even have ice cream in it as a really nutritious milkshake.  For some reason he would also eat bacon.  The rest of the time, he was nauseous or had no appetite. 

I hope you continue to post here.  I'm betting you'll find others who can offer you loads of support and advice. 

Take care!  And please keep us updated.

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. I cared for my father during his battle with cancer and he had all the problems you describe. As far as the nausea and weight loss, I can't say enough good things about smoothies and liquid supplements like Ensure. They were all that worked for my dad to try to keep weight on. I'd make him smoothies with ice cream, whole milk, and fresh fruit and add protein powder too. You can even add some powdered Carnation Instant Breakfast to boost the calorie count and nutritional value. Ensure is a supplement you buy at the grocery store that is specifically designed to boost calories.

As for the fluid buildup in his lungs, I'd strongly suggest talking to his doctor about this. You may have to be proactive and firm to get the doc's attention. There are things they can do to help with this and if your grandfather's suffering, it's worth demanding the doc's attnetion, even if you have to be a "squeaky wheel."

Good luck, hang in there, and come back and tell us how it's going. Maybe someone has other suggestions for boosting appetite?

Hi,

I"m sorry to hear about your grandfather. I know that when my father was in the last stages, his doctor said he could have whatever he liked, and he chose a pineapple milkshake. :) Perhaps ask him if there's something he would like and it could be prepared in a manner that he could take it easily.

Best of luck to you.

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. I just lost my brother to lung cancer a month ago after being in remission for 10 yrs. He did the chemo and radiation treatments and chemo had to be stopped cause it did him more harm than good. He suffered 2-strokes before he died and he had lost his appetite completely before he went back to the hospital this last time. Please hang in ther and continue taking care and doing all that you can for your grandfather. Best of luck to you and your family.

izuniga, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother! It sounds like a rough time. I'm glad you're here.

Laural

Thank you for responding. It has been very difficult for the family our only consolation is that he is no longer in any pain.

izuniga, We lost my father-in-law to lung cancer and I know, firsthand, how it feels to grieve while our loved one was still living but terminal and how it feels to go through the second part - actual loss.  He passed away over six years ago and I still grieve.  I miss him!  But like you said, there's a large amount of consolation in knowing he's no longer in pain.  *hugs*  I'm sorry for your loss.

I know I lost My mom on Jan 16th of 2000 and I still feel lost without her as i was the youngest of five boys and us boys still can't get to the idea of putting her in the ground as she was cremated and stays on one of my brothers coffee tables. even though time goes on the loss is still there and always will be, she died in my arms so I definately  can't seem to move on yet. so it will take some time yet but I sorry for your losses and pray for your families and wish you well, and I glad I came across this site.

I lost my best friend last year to cancer. He went through all the symptoms and it was very hard on everyone. We tried to do whatever we could to help him but nothing seemed to work. He only made it 2 months after he was diagnosed. I miss him so very much every day and hope I never have to go through it again. I started doing research on cancer and it's causes and found some very good information. There is a diet that will cure most cancers even in the late stages. Johanna Budwig diet combines cottage cheese and flax oil to make a health mix and cuts out all processed foods. You only eat fresh vegies and fruit and the cottage cheese and flax oil mix. After just days on the diet cancer stops growing (because it is feeding off the defienciency). In a few weeks the tumers start shrinking. And in a few months the tumers are all but gone and are not active. For the diet to really work one has to be very strict and stay on the diet for 2-5 years. This is a small price to pay for more life. Me and my family have changed our diets and I have been trying to tell everyone I know about the benifits of eating healthy. Cancer is a deficiency disease that strikes when your immune system is low and vonurable. A steady intake of Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins from fruits and vegies will keep your immune system strong. Also a decrease in saturated fats is a must (no fried foods or processed meats). I hope someone will read this and find it helpful.

I am so sorry for everyone that has to go thru this. My prayers are with you all. My 49 year old sister was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in Feb. The doctors said it was only in her lung and 2 lymph nodes. She went thru extensive chemo and radiation, the tumor shrunk 80% they also did preventative radiation on her head. In the last month she has lost her motor skills on her right side and seems to be getting worse. She can no longer drive or work because she cannot lift her foot up or write her name. she can no longer drive or work. Is this common in lung cancer patients? do you think it is because of the radiation to her brain?      

Dear Kimm,

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's battle with lung cancer. Your concern about her loss of motor skills is valid; I think this is something you should talk to her doctor about, or suggest that she talk to her doctor about as soon as possible. Are you sure the radiation to her head was preventive? Is it possible she had a brain metastasis and the radiation was to treat that? Loss of movement on one side of the body would not be a typical side effect of lung cancer unless it had spread to the brain, though many side effects are mysterious. However, neuropathy or nerve damage as a side effect of chemo can cause numbness in the feet and hands that can make driving and writing difficult. They should be able to explain what's happening more clearly and tell you both what to expect in the future. It's really important for cancer patients to be able to ask questions of their oncologist and medical team and get clear answers. If your sister's doctor hasn't been forthcoming with information up to now, try explaining that you want the straight scoop -- even if it's bad news -- and keep asking questions until you feel that you understand what's happening and what you can expect.

Dear Melanie,Thank you for your support. According to my sister it was preventative radiation on her brain. We are awaiting an appt for an  MRI, but it seems that the V.A. is dragging their feet on this. She doesnt have insurance so the VA is all she has. She fell last night at home, I had to pick her up and afterwards her speech was very slurred, her speach got a little better as the evening went on but I am wondering if  she is having  mini strokes, and if so what is the possibilitie of a larger one. If this continues I will have to take her to the emergency room. This is very scary. I don't know what to do, I am afraid to leave her at home by herself, but I have a 4 year old at home and I have to work. Thank God for good people who will listen and understand what this is like. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Kimm,

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Do keep us updated.

Laural, Thank you for your support. Since I last shared, I have taken my sister to the emergency room. The cancer has gone to her brain and is the size of a golf ball, the doctors are giving her 14 days of radiation to try to shrink it. She has gotten her mobility back on her right side, (how long it will last I don't know) and is being very positive about it. She is planning on driving again, and seems to think that this is going to get rid of the cancer. I guess that "one day at a time" is the way to go I know God can do all things.

Kimm, keep your thoughts positive and your goals moving forward, and whatever will be, will be, and not for your lack of trying. Life isn't about waiting out the storm, it's about learning to dance in the rain. Bless!

Laural, Thanks for your words of encouragement. Yes it is all about learning to dance in the rain, it is very hard but i have strong faith and I know that no matter what, "God," has a plan, it is just so hard to watch someone you love go through it but With God's help we will all survive.Kimm

Wow, Laura.  That was really profound.  I have a feeling it's going to be one of my favorite new quotes.  Thank you!

Kimm, I'll be thinking about you.  *hugs*

Dear Kimm,

I'm so sorry to hear that your sister now has a brain tumor; that was what I suspected from what you were describing but I didn't want it to be so! Since your sister is being treated at the VA and doesn't have insurance, my advice to you is to be a strong advocate for her -- don't be afraid to tell the doctors to do more, that you want the most aggressive treatment possible. Your sister is relatively young, and strong, and needs to fight as hard as she can, with your support. Studies show that patients with less insurance and at "lesser known" hospitals don't always get the most aggressive treatment, so we as family members need to be strong advocates and fight to make sure they are getting all the most modern and high-tech treatments available. You and your sisters are in my thoughts.

Thank you all for your support. I never dreamed that I could get so much support and love from strangers, Gods love is evident in these postings, and I am soooo gratefull for all your help.

Kimm, we're so grateful for you being here as well!  When folks post in Caring's groups, we're all here for each other.  Even if someone comes here and posts just once, the information they share or an answer someone else gives may be all someone else reading needs to keep going.  So just know you're an important part of making our community wonderful.    We're definitely all in this together.

Hi, everyone, I have  heavy heart right now. My grandmother is 82. They have just found a mass in her colon. She has dementia and Alzheirmer's disease. There are many moments when I cannot carry on a conservation with her. But, every once in a while I see a glimmer in her. This mass they found is not good. Our family has two choices to let her transition or to have the surgery and she will need a colospy bag. If we decide to do the surgery the recovery will be hard. There is a good chance she could die from complications. If we choose not to do the surgery she will not be able to eat there is a possiblity the tumor could rupture. What is the right decision ? There is none. I just wish God would just chose the path for her. I need to head to the hospital tonight to say my goodbyes just in case. What will I say how can I leave there and be strong. I have to do it ... I just have too... I hope God gives us the strength to help her and all of us through this. My heart aches.... but, I realize she has lived a good life. Denise

Dear Blondie,I'm so sorry to hear you're facing such a difficult situation in your grandmother's care. Many times when older people are diagnosed with tumors, family members have to make very difficult decisions about whether to attempt surgery that may buy time but reduce quality of life. I encourage you to talk to your grandmother's doctors as openly as possible about your hopes and fears, and find out from them what are the results you might expect and what the risks are. It can help to ask for numbers: "What percentage of people this age undergoing this surgery die from the complications?" would be the type of question you might ask. I'm impressed with your strength and hope for your grandmother's recovery. Please let us know what happens so we can support you.

Kimm sorry to hear about your sister.  The VA has a patient advocate if you don't think that your sister is getting the proper care then go to the patient advocate and they will help you.  My dad also goes to the VA and they have been helpful when I needed it.  Melanie is right at the VA you have to be the advocate for your sister if she can't.  If you push and be strong they will respond as Melanie said the squeaky wheel really does work with the VA.

To the others sorry to hear about all the pain all of you are in and for your losses.  My father has prostate cancer that has returned after being in remission for 18 yrs.  He now has a tumor that has metastisised on his spine.  When they did a radiation test to see if it was in his bones his spine lite up like a Christmas tree.  What they are doing for him now is giving him intraveinous treatment to stregthen his bones because they said that any broken bones would not be good at this time.  As far as we know it has not traveled anywhere else for the moment. 

Dear upbeat916 thank you for your response, The VA is doing a wonderful job with my sister and I have been able to talk to an advocate. My sister is doing as well as she can with this in her head, her memory is not as good and she is not as strong as she was before. It is to soon to take a ct of her head so we don't know how much it has shrunk, but the doctors say she has responded well to radiation. She has gotten her disability started and she is going to Colorado and Vegas in a few days, (things she wants to do before she dies) and in six weeks we will find out how much the tumor shrunk. we will take it one day at a time. I am very sorry about your father and I will pray for you and your family.