A Dad Update

Thanks to everyone who's asked about my dad; I appreciate your concern. Unfortunately, my dad is not doing well at all.

Last week, the doctors decided to run some tests and scans to see how his tumor was responding to the drug (Sutent). They found that while some portions of the tumor had shrunk 'appreciably', others had not changed at all. It was decided to keep him on the Sutent but to add a course of localized radiation four days per week. It was also noted that he'd lost another pound. My dad has never been a large man, never even got that 'spare tyre' that often comes with middle age. He is six feet tall and down to 135 lbs.

So since Tuesdays are his regular oncology appointment, this afternoon I called to see how it went. It didn't, my mom reports, because Daddy's been throwing up a lot lately (!) and threw up twice en route to the appointment. They decided to turn back and cancel. The radiologist says that he has not been on radiation long enough to suffer nausea as a side effect; the oncologist concurs and the verdict is that the nausea is being caused by him taking his pills on an empty stomach (he's on a number of drugs besides Sutent). I wonder why he's taking pills on an empty stomach if they're to be taken with food and Mom reports that he's not eating. He says he isn't hungry and lets it go at that.

For some time now, at Lisa's suggestion he's been making milkshakes of his Ensure/Boost-type protein drinks. Then early last week they went by GNC and bought this powdered protein stuff for him to make into milkshakes. I asked about that and Mom reports that while he's MAKING them, he's more often leaving them sitting in the fridge than actually DRINKING them.

She's cooking food, asking him what he'd like, leaving microwave stuff for snacks and meals in case he gets hungry and she's not there, but he either does not eat, claiming that he isn't hungry, or eats only a few bites. Oh, but he's drinking lots and lots of bottled water, oh yay.

I understand that he isn't hungry and that his appetite isn't there, but for the love of all that's holy, why won't he eat a little something of anything at pill time?!? How can he not understand the importance of nutrition under these circumstances?!? Does he not understand that his life depends on this?!? Or does he understand, and not care?!?

I am upset and having a very hard time dealing with this. I simply cannot understand this sort of apathy when one's life is at stake.