chemo and nutrition

[stalsrn]

I am a surgical nurse so I see a lot of patients getting parenteral or enteral nutrition. My mother has been on and off chemo for the last year and a half. Last week she stopped taking Tarceva (MD orders) and will start radiation next week. She has not been able to eat anything solid for 3 weeks and has not been able to keep even water down for the last week. She takes a drink and throws it up within 2 minutes. We are trying to keep her phenergan and zofran pills in her (she refuses to have my dad give her a phenergan suppository) but she throws them up too. My question is if any of you wonderful nurses have any experience with chemo/radi patients getting parenteral or enteral nutrition and if it is helpful? My mother is soo weak from not eating and the chemo she has to have help to get into and out of the bathroom. Her MD said artificial nutrition is not helpful and will only give her an infection???? What say all you?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Thank so much for asking. I am saddened to tell you my mom lost her battle with cancer on November 4th. It has been a very tough time for my family. Thank God for little kids, they keep things simple. My oldest son told me not to be so sad, "it's the circle of life Mom, you are born, you live and then you die." Oh, if only life were that simple!!!!!! Anyway, we are taking it one day at a time. Thanks again for your concern. God Bless!

aw,I'm so sorry.My mom will be gone 14 years in December-with the love and support of your family you'll heal but you'll always have an empty spot in your heart. Take care...

[Aneroo, LPN]

I'm very sorry for your loss.