My aunt had a mass removed from her colon 11 days ago. Four days later she had to go back to surgery because of infection. Everything medically is improving daily since then, but she will not eat! She takes 2 bites each meal and thats it! When will the hospital use a feeding tube? Twelve days without a meal is scaring me.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Again, it may be time to assess your Aunt's own wishes, offer palliative care if this is a cancer, consider hospice with her. I am assuming you aunt does not have dementia and there is no POA for health care.
Cancer.. is not prejudice. It attacks anyone at any time at any age. So, in any effort, bring her sherbert, ice cream, soft foods that smell and taste good. Sometimes after things like this, food will sound horrible, nothing will smell good, taste good, and sometimes texture of the food will be bad. Give a little chicken soup. If you put to much food in front them, that could be a total turnoff too. Little ramkins, of food pudding or jello. Do not try to overload the her senses.
2 bites, might be enough. Then try another bite of something else. Just a lil bit at a time.
Now it seems like a race, will the appetite come back faster than her losing strength because she is not eating enough? Pray, and be happy around her, play her favorite music, do not make the visit all about the food and her appetite. Focus on something fun and entertaining, be lively, happy, and joyful. Put a smile on her face and make jokes, have FUN.. Give her something fun to think about, bring in her favorite movie, and make a movie night with fun foods included
There is a book geared toward cancer patients. I saw it in the office when my dad was going through this.
What to eat when you don't feel like eating.
My mother, even at 93 is somewhat vain. She doesn’t want people to think she overeats. Even if she is hungry she will leave food on her plate. She talks about people who eat a lot and says they shouldn’t have allowed themselves to get so fat! She’s from that ‘Hollywood glamour’ era. They like looking their best!
The rule of thumb for survival experts is 1-1-1 - a typical human can survive one day without shelter, one week without water, one month without food. That human will not be having a nice time! - but it won't kill you, is the point. Now while I'm sure your aunt is not as physically fit as a jungle adventurer, she is taking no exercise, she is recovering from surgery, and she *is* eating - just not the square meal you'd like to see her tucking into.
If it would help set your mind at rest, ask her team (they probably have a dietitian handy) to tell you your aunt's Base Metabolic Requirement (how many calories her body will burn per day, if she does absolutely nothing at all) and compare that with her intake.
Ask first, but as long as you get the go-ahead bring in nutritious treats for your aunt that you know she really likes, such as her favourite ice cream, fresh sandwiches, organic milkshakes - little snacks that are more tempting than ordinary hospital fare. Don't forget that she may be receiving ongoing treatment, and as well as that there may be foods which are not suitable during her recovery, so it is essential to check.
And forget the feeding tube. Look online at what they involve, the various types, and be glad it's not happening.
I do hope she gains her appetite back. It may be easier to drink a nutritious meal. I’d go for the supplements at this point.
I remember when my grandma died I simply could not eat. I had zero appetite. I was very close to my grandma.
When my daughter was in a horrible car accident as a teen and I saw her covered in blood at the hospital, I couldn’t eat for days.
Poor kid, she totaled my car and thought I would be mad about the car. She told me after being unconscious, “Mom, sorry about the car.” I cried and said to her, “Do you think I care about a hunk of metal? That car can be replaced, it’s you that I care about!”
Is your aunt in pain? Is she on opioids? You do know opioid use can cause constipation. She may truly not feel hungry if she is constipated. Ask a nurse or doctor to speak to her privately.