Thank you for posting about "wasting." The study below is performed on hospital patients, but was very informative https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424865/#!po=5.59701
It's important to note that based on Dad's "Well Being Letter" sent on May 22, "The CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, had revealed other potential problems." When I visited in July, I asked him to elaborate on that sentence. He then explained that his body is riddled with growths that are likely cancer. He knows of a tumor also in his prostate, but has declined to have a biopsy. The dizziness he experiences has led to a lost appetite, is how he puts it. I can relate; when I experience dizziness and nausea during my migraines, although I may feel hungry, eating is not appealing.
If there is a physiological wasting of the body in addition to malnutrition (due in large part to the nausea I mentioned in my first post, stubbornness of Dad in accepting medical intervention, and I also think a lack of nutrition assistance from Dad's Nurse Practitioner), then that would help explain his accelerated weight loss. I wonder if these additional growths have accelerated his "wasting."
I have suggested to Dad several times, as has Mother, to get some nutrition coaching/consultation and he has not taken advice like that seriously. He responds with "we'll be fine" or "we're working with it." Thankfully, Mother is giving him Ensure drinks to supplement his very weak diet. Dad is willing to listen only to a Nurse Practitioner (despite several around him pointing out he needs to see a Dr) who treated him several times; unfortunately, she has not provided Mother adequate meal and nutrition resources she has requested.
Thank you for bringing up the IV! I can help push that too :)
No comments:
Post a Comment