Dear Members, Sister has 3b lung cancer,squamous had 6 rounds of chemo stable. Will rest 1 month,65 yrs old NSCLC. Anyone went through this, and got good results from when went back on chemo? Wanting to not eat have something to do with cancer, or stopping chemo you don't want to eat so much or is it both? Is it normal lossing weight while going through this,or does this mean she's doing bad? Is their a pill to make her eat more, or I should I not worry so much. She has diabetes, and lymph node measures 1.4 now after chemo was 1.5 before. Took Taxol/Carboplatin, low dose. Please give me feedback,and if you need more information let me know.

Love, Teardrop

Hello Teardrop

I can't really give you a lot of advice but yes there are things that your sisters doctor can give her to help with the appetite. If you are near her try making her some of her favorite foods, keep finger foods nearby so she can nibble on them throughout the day.

Boost or Ensure are great ways to add calories but with her being diabetic the sugar free versions would most likely be better for her. (Glucerna is one and it comes in a variety of flavors..)

I am sure the others will be along soon to offer more adivce.. Please keep posting and let us know how your sister AND YOU are doing.

Warmly
Christine

Not eating is probably related to the chemo. If so, her appetite might get better soon. Suggests lots of small meals (snacks) instead of 3 big ones. Look for high calorie "comfort" foods - ice cream, mashed potatoes, puddings.

Be sure that her doctor knows about her loss of appetite and weight.

Muriel

_________________
Dx NSCLC 5/03. Surgery UR lobe. Staged as 1B. Chemo (taxol & Carbo)9/15/03 - 11/13/03. Wonderful CTs until Nov 04. Surgery 11/27/04, again staged as 1B. Chemo (Cisplatin and Gemzar) 2/05 to 6/05. Good CTs and PET since chemo.

My hubby is having the same problem he has no appetite, the doctor has given him pills. I also found out that anything sweet and cold works...ensure is great too.

_________________
Lost Mother to LC 2003
Lost Mother in law to LC 2007
Lost brother to LC Dec. 2008

My husbands fight with cancer...

April 2 , 2008 breaks rib bone for no reason, having extreme pain, tired and losing weight.
April 23,2008 dx with NSCLC stage IV
April 25,2008 goes to ER with blood clots in legs, dx with DVT due to lung cancer must have daily shots of Lovenox the rest of his life.. pills didn't work. poor guy!
April 26,2008 tests show mets in liver and bones.
May 27, 2008 starts chemo taxol/carbol..cancer pain decreases by 80% after first round.
June 11,2008 second round of chemo, seems to tolerate well he is getting stronger and less pain and gaining weight fast.
June 25, 2008 CT scan showed 50% shrinkage after second round of chemo!
July 2, 2008 third round of chemo, still doing great and is now riding his Harley and looking great. gained back 20 pounds.
July 21, 2008 forth round of Chemo, seems to have wiped him out more than the other times.
Aug.13, 2008 Hubby goes in for a MRI because of headaches, test showed 2 small brain mets. chemo put on hold for radiation.
Aug.15, 2008 The radiation has started, he goes for a total of 10 treatments. the Doctor feels that this is just a bump in the road and he will do just fine.
Aug. 26, 2008 Hubby has had a total of 8 treatments now and is doing very well, he is back riding his Harley once again.
Aug. 28, 2008 All done with the radition and will start back on Chemo Sept. 12 th... Still doing great.
Sept. 29, 2008 Last round of the chemo! so now a CT scan and MRI will be next to see where he stands.
Oct... CT scan showed tumors have gotten bigger, MRI showed brain mets are stable. He went into the hospital for infection and seems to be fading away, he has taken a fast turn downhill. Doctor wants to try a different chemo drug. Hubby isn't interested at this point, we all are encouraging him to change his mind.
Oct. 27,2008..Hubby decided to try the drug Alimta, this is his last and final treatment he said. we pray no bad side effects and can get more time. he is losing his weight and and is weak.
Dec. 15,2008.. Had a CT scan and after 2 rounds of Alimta all his tumors are stable. will continue on...

Dear Members, Thank you for the reply back, I ask these questions as my sister lives far away from me. Thank you for all the replies, I appreciate it so much.
Love, Teardrop
God Bless All, and Take Care

Tear Drop
Please let us know whenever you or your sister have questions or concerns..

Hugs to you boith

Christine