My dad, who lives with me, will soon be 91. Also has some dementia and non-hodgkins lymphoma. He is rapidly losing weight. What do we do?

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angieszoo Asked October 2021

My dad, who lives with me, will soon be 91. Also has some dementia and non-hodgkins lymphoma. He is rapidly losing weight. What do we do?

He does eat. He usually eats either eggs, toast, sausage and apple sauce for the morning meal or I'll give him oatmeal instead of the eggs but with everything else. He doesn't want lunch so I'll give him a boost drink and then he'll eat a regular dinner that I make.
I think the cancer may be spreading but he is one tough old guy who doesn't complain about anything. He will occasionally have an accident in his pants but not terribly often.
I guess this is less than a question and more of a "I need to just get this off my chest" and be assured I'm doing the right things for him.

Alzheimer's & Dementia Diet & Nutrition Weight Loss

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score 0 · Answer 1

"Some people with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma have what are known as B symptoms: Fever (which can come and go over several days or weeks) without an infection. Drenching night sweats. Weight loss without trying (at least 10% of body weight over 6 months)

Cachexia may be his problem. Here's is the definition. I would call his dr.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cachexia

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Thank you. I'll look into this!

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score 1 · Answer 2

Sounds like it may be time to get hospice on board. They will supply any needed equipment, supplies and medications, all covered 100% under dads Medicare. They will also have a nurse come out once a week to start, and aides to come bathe him several times a week, and they will also make sure that he is comfortable and pain free.
It might give you some peace of mind to have extra sets of eyes on him. I wish you and your dad the very best.

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Thank you so much. We have talked to his Dr and are in the process of getting ready for hospice.

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score 0 · Answer 3

Sounds like he's eating well and you're offering him a great diet so that's definitely a great thing.

Is his lymphoma something that can be and/or is being treated? Pardon my ignorance, I've never known anyone with it.

I also wonder if hospice is part of the process yet? Even though he's tough, at some point I imagine the pain may become unbearable. I don't like pain and know I will do what ever I can to avoid or treat it.

Good luck.

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Hi. He had his lymphoma some years back and had chemo and it went into remission. It came back about 1 1/2 years ago and he had radiation on his arm which shrunk it all down. He now has some tumors in his groin area and a new one starting on his arm. The treatment would not work well for him now.
We just go day by day.
Thank you for your concern!

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score 2 · Answer 4

Hugs!

Such a brutal disease.

My sister ate well and as her cancer progressed she just stopped thriving. Lost loads of weight and was just tired.

May your dad have a peaceful ending to this journey and not have any pain.

Do you have hospice on board yet?

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We just got in contact with his Dr and will be getting hospice going soon. So far he isn't in any pain but when he does mention that he's not feeling good, I Know it's not good because he's total old school where nothing ever hurts.
Thanks so much for your concern!

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My dad, who lives with me, will soon be 91. Also has some dementia and non-hodgkins lymphoma. He is rapidly losing weight. What do we do?

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