ArtsieSteph's dad's cancer superthread

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ArtsieSteph

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Apr 1, 2014
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Yeah so far the diuretics have been making him pee a tiny bit more but not much, for some reason his body is retaining all the fluid that he keeps getting him we’re not really sure why.
 
M

Miri

Guest
Ummm, Miri, The Veranda is a by-invite group.

BUT, Steph, if you'd like to join us, you're more than welcome. We've been worrying with you and your family for the last couple of days. I'm not very knowledgeable about how infections affect the mind, but knew Miri was, and some others, so asked for the gals who knew about such things to come here and talk to you. That sprang a longer conversation on there then here, so if you are interested, just PM and I'll send you the invite. Only reason I haven't invited you yet was because I figured you'd get your support from Blain and your family, and with all your going through, didn't wanted to add to your time commitment.

Just PM me if interested, and no harm, no foul if you're not.
oops sorry I thought Steph had joined already. Lol
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
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So now daddy is taking an antidepressant called Prystique and has been having incontinence issues because of it. Poor thing... but ironically he seems more chipper...
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
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Not to be gross, but that cancer WILL come out of daddy, from one end or the other.. :p Laughing with Tears.png

So now daddy is taking an antidepressant called Prystique and has been having incontinence issues because of it. Poor thing... but ironically he seems more chipper...
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
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We talked with the doctor apparently the antidepressant may not be the culprit but the antibiotics. Either way he may have to take Imodium.
 

ArtsieSteph

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Physically dad is back on an IV drip for his antibiotics because his stomach wasn’t handling the amoxicillin very well as a pill. He’s still drinking 6 protein shakes a day and 2 protein puddings, and the accumulation of fluid in his abdomen is like 2.5L a day.
 
M

Miri

Guest
We talked with the doctor apparently the antidepressant may not be the culprit but the antibiotics. Either way he may have to take Imodium.

Everytime mum has antibiotics she gets the runs. I try to get probiotic
yoghurts down her as I think it’s to do with the gut flora. Antibiotics kill
off the good gut bacteria.
 
M

Miri

Guest
Physically dad is back on an IV drip for his antibiotics because his stomach wasn’t handling the amoxicillin very well as a pill. He’s still drinking 6 protein shakes a day and 2 protein puddings, and the accumulation of fluid in his abdomen is like 2.5L a day.

Have they said why that is at all.
 

blue_ladybug

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There's the problem right there.. He's drinking wayyyy too many shakes per day... 6 is way too many. I only drink 1 in the morning and sometimes 1 at night. No wonder he has so much fluid buildup..


Physically dad is back on an IV drip for his antibiotics because his stomach wasn’t handling the amoxicillin very well as a pill. He’s still drinking 6 protein shakes a day and 2 protein puddings, and the accumulation of fluid in his abdomen is like 2.5L a day.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
Everytime mum has antibiotics she gets the runs. I try to get probiotic
yoghurts down her as I think it’s to do with the gut flora. Antibiotics kill
off the good gut bacteria.
Oh, yeah! Forgot that!

If they haven't already, make sure your dad's doctor test for C-Diff. Bad bacteria in gut usually controlled with good bacteria in gut, except it's one of the bad guys antibiotics doesn't kill. Hell on the colon!
 
D

Depleted

Guest
There's the problem right there.. He's drinking wayyyy too many shakes per day... 6 is way too many. I only drink 1 in the morning and sometimes 1 at night. No wonder he has so much fluid buildup..
Is all your caloric intake coming through the shakes, or do you eat too? Because 6 isn't way too much, if that's all you're consuming. And, considering protein is what rebuilds the body and her dad has to get his stomach healed after a tumor was removed, he needs all the protein he can take.
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
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Like I said, I sometimes have 1 in the morning in place of breakfast. And sometimes 1 at night in place of dinner.. But I eat a couple of small meals through the day too..


Is all your caloric intake coming through the shakes, or do you eat too? Because 6 isn't way too much, if that's all you're consuming. And, considering protein is what rebuilds the body and her dad has to get his stomach healed after a tumor was removed, he needs all the protein he can take.
 

ArtsieSteph

Senior Member
Apr 1, 2014
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The hardest thing is that the shakes are the only way he can get any calories because of his stomach. He now has fluid inside of his lungs. They tapped that too.
 

Pilkington

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2015
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Hi Steph I think Shirl mentioned that infections affect the way the heart works and so lead to a build up of fluids, also if you have not got enough protein ie the liver is not making enough protein then fluid will leak from the blood vessels into the tissue. Also it could be a kidney issue. If I was dealing with your Dad Steph, I would want to measure fluid input and fluid output, I would want to weigh your dad daily, also I would want to look at bloods particularly a full blood count also albumin and CRP plus various other things. As he has been having chemo, infections can be really nasty. I hope they have catheterised him to measure the urine output. Also it depends if the abdominal fluid is due to retention or is ascites. Ascites can be drained off. Finally oral diuretics like furosemide don't work well if you have abdominal oedema as the gut is swollen with fluid the diuretic will not be absorbed properly and you then need IV furosemide.
 

Pilkington

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2015
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If there is fluid in the lungs it is typically because to do with the heart. The fluid needs to include the shakes. My husband has been on a fluid restriction of 1500 ml's for almost five years now. If your Dad is on fluid restriction ice cubes and ice pops (lolly type things are a great help). If he is being sick I hope they are giving him anti sickness meds. Also you can give total parenteral nutrition, which is where the person receives everything they need nutritionally by IV.
 

ArtsieSteph

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They were saying that either could be true, they’re basically working on a what happens next basis.
 

ArtsieSteph

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So apparently they've moved from wanting to do evaluation at a psyche facility to “treatment.” Meaning way longer stay.