My mother recently had her left lung removed due to acinic
carcinoma. [An aside -- from all examinations, this seems
to have been primary in the lung, although it is usually
primary in the salivary glands.] Other than the lung, part
of the pericardium, part of the pleura, and a small piece
of the diaphragm was also removed. She will have periodic
exams to check for additional metastasis, but no
chemotherapy or radiation. She is 65.
It has been nearly 2 months since the surgery, and she is
up and around -- can drive again, if absolutely necessary.
Problem is, whether it is the afteraffects of the surgery
itself or the pain medications, she has absolutely
whatsoever NO INTEREST in eating -- no taste, no appetite,
etc. -- and is down to 101 lbs. for a 5'-6" woman. While
she expressed concern over her lack of appetite and the
slight nauseau, she has cancelled her meals on wheels, etc.
and is existing on what she calls "healthy" foods -- an
occasional banana, some vitamins, skim milk. Won't go fot
whole milk -- I get the feeling she thinks it will make her
fat.
I read that patients recovering from cancer and surgery
NEED a certain amount of calories and protein a day, and
she is not getting it. She is very independent, lives
alone, and likes it that way.
Anyone got any personal experience with post-surgery
anorexia (loss of appetite)? Any help with how long this
will last? Any good arguments for eating higher-calorie
foods? (She even ditched the Ensure and got vitamins,
instead, so she's lost those couple of hundred calories.)
Any support groups out there?
Please reply -- jemirand@worldnet.att.net
