Wasting away. How long can he live as a skeleton?

I would not get discouraged. With some of the answers above, they have all basically suggested for hims to get assistance in caring for him since his needs are more. This would make him much more comfortable, and give you the peace of mine you need. Don't give up on him just yet. Me Personally, I got help finding a nursing home for my mom for free, they were a place for mom.

Hospice. I hate to say it, but get him on Hospice. He doesn't want any more Idiot doctors poking at him. Make him comfortable. Tell the family if they want to see him, they should see him now, share old memories, laugh, tell jokes and make his final days as bright as possible.

If it were my Dad I would suggest a *stool test* which has no risk to the patient, it can tell if there are cancer cells present.

And I agree with ba8alou above if you're not going to do the treatment don't do the test.... I wish my Mom would listen but she won't... if something was ever found, no surgeon would touch her, and no Oncologist would suggest chemo.

My mom's geriatric Ian taught me a phrase several years ago..."if you're not going to do the treatment, don't do the test" mom was recommended at 90 to have a bone marrow biopsy because some atypical cells showed up in a tap of her lung. The question is, if they found colon cancer, would your dad want or survive the surgery? Are there other indications (blood tests , scans etc) that are less invasive that indicate this might be cancer? The prep for a colonoscopy is arduous and I don't blame dad for not wanting to do this. Tough decisions and choices. I would go see a gastro doc for a second opinion, in your shoes. All the best to you and your dad.

Thank you ba8alou, did i spell that right? Ill have to ask you how you came up with that name! Anyhoo, i just voiced my concerns today. He lost 4 more pounds in a month and he does NOT think this is part of the normal aging or recovering from the fall or msra months ago. He agreed his body is not taking in nutrients or calories from the food. He is eating and drinking protein. His skeletal mass is "wasting away" as je put it. Which i pointed out the purtrution of bones in his neck and spine ect.. he wants to do a colonoscopy and check for cancer. Dad says cancer does not run in our family. He said he doesnt think he wants to do it. I dont k hmm ow what to think about it all .thnk u for encouraging me

Get the fax number of the doctor's office and write down what your concerns are and fax them over. Or just hand the receptionist a note in an envelope when you check in and ask for the doc to read it before s/he sees your dad. If you feel like the doctor isn't tell you and your dad the whole truth at the appointment, either ask to see the doctor alone afterwards while your dad sits in the waiting area or call the office later on. Doctors these days are legally bound, I believe, to tell their patients the truth. Listen carefully to what the doc is saying and have your questions written down beforehand. This always help to keep me on track.

Btw hes had his teeth for several months now. Thank God! That was a ordeal in itself!