Colon Cancer, Losing alot of weight

[Kenyaa77]

Hi, I'm hoping someone may have feedback for me. My mother has Colon Cancer and has dropped from 160 Pounds to 102 , and still losing. She had six weeks of radiation which ended on June 12th, she was suppose to be taking the chemo pill as well but her body had a bad reaction and landed her in the hospital which could have resulted in a massive heartattack, rare so they say but it did happen to her so she was taken off the chemo pill 48 hours after starting. Shes eating normal meals, if not extra and drinking boost and boost puddings/juices. Her doctor said he is concerned that she has lost so much weight but didnt explain why she was losing it. She has a ct scan and rectal exam on July 11th and hopefully surgery scheduled for July 24. {the tumow was attached to her pelvis and has to be mobile to operate, ct and rectal should let us know if she can have the surgery} Anyone have any ideas why shes still losing weight? Her bowel movements are normal now, so I take it as a sign it has shrunk. She has alot of pain still and is taking endocet. The pain for the most part is after having a bowel movement and she said it burns quite a bit.

Just hoping someone can offer some feedback to put her mind at ease. Thank you for reading!

Kenyaa

[christy217]

Cancer made me lose weight in general, before I was diagnosed I lost 30 pounds, not to mention the treatment you're mom is going through too, it makes you not want to eat and can make it difficult too, with things tasting strange, etc.,

As far as her bum buring, I notice if I eat foods high in fat, my excretments burn really bad, but I've had my entire large intestine removed, so there is no way to consume the acid or break it down further that is coming from my small intestine. For me, tums-extra calcium has helped, I take 2 of those twice a day, it is also an anti-acid, which helps when I excrete, I also do 150mg of Zantac OTC, they've written me scripts for acid-reduction for Aciphex, Nexium, etc., they didn't do much for me, and the copays were high so I just went with an OTC regimen that had worked in the past.

I know others can provide more feedback than I, as they've been going through this longer.

Good luck with your mom.

[Kenyaa77]

Thank you for the reply =)

I guess I'm still puzzled as to why she is losing because she is eating, and forcing herself to eat more then she normally does, along with the boost and ensure shes been taking. I realize Radiation can cause weight loss, but it just seems like so much and I'm worried about her and how hard the surgery will be on her if she loses much more, that is if she can have it.

Thanks again for the reply and reading =)

[rephyc15]

post deleted.

[SLW1]

Hi Kenya,

I was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, but the tumor was found in my colon. I had surgery about 6-7 weeks ago. I still have a burning sensation near my incision. I'm told this maybe a normal part of the wound healing. As far as weight loss, I lost a considerable amount of weight even before being diagnosed. I used to have severe stomach cramps, but I guess it's because colon cancer and interfere with your digestivie system. It took 2 months for them discover it was in my colon after taking a colonoscopy.

I lost about 38 pounds in aboug 2-3 momths. I went from 153-115lbs. It has been slow gaining the weight back, but the doctor told it would be and it was better that way. I also drink boost and ensure (plus). I did not have to do chemo or radiation. I take a pill called Tomaxifen.

I wish your mom well.