My father is currently in the hospital now. He was diagnosed with stage four lung nsclc in jan. He is scheduled for four rounds of chemo. He has done two rounds, and both times he has been hospitalized and had to have HUGE amounts of fluid drained from his lungs. Yesterday before he had gotten to the hospital he was so weak where he could barely stand up and he could hardly eat. The doctor was trying to talk to my mother about hospice care but she was not trying to hear that. I think the doctor was trying to tell my mother that the cancer was getting worse but I see she is in denial. His pulmonologist says that they can put a catheter in that will automatically drain the fluid while he does his next chemo. But i don't know if my father can take all that. I do think that my father needs some kind of nurse at all times, cause when we try to make him eat he doesn't and he ends up getting dehydrated. Has anyone even heard of that thing that I described? can someone just give me some real facts and advice? Thanks.

I'm not sure about the catheter. The docs never suggested that for my step dad. Throughout his terrible battle I did learn that it doesn't help to try to force him to eat if he doesn't want to. But be ready to serve with love when he is hungry, although it may only be a bite or two. From what I understand, this is completely normal. I do not think my step dad ever got dehydrated but he only took in small amounts of liquid in the last month. We were there to jump up and get him anything he wanted when he asked for it. The most common thing he ate for the past few months was pecan rolls and bananas. For some strange reason that is all he ever craved, although he did eat a few bites from time to time of the food we prepared. When my step dad was taking chemo treatments he could not stand to smell food. If mom cooked in the house you could bet your dollar he would not be able to eat it.

God Bless.