Parent w/Stage IV cancer - can't eat at least 1 week

[Anonymous]

If a parent around 70 years old has metastatic stage IV cancer and has not eaten in a week due to stomach pain, maybe due to metastases and leaking bile, how long can they live on IV nutrition in a hospital? We have no idea how much time a parent has left. Any idea would be appreciated. They under no circumstances want to go to a facility - only hospital or home.

[Anonymous]

Wait correction - they got an NG feeding tube. Can they go home either that?

[Anonymous]

Honestly if they cannot feed themselves, and there is no hope of recovery, I don't think keeping them alive with IVs is ethical. 70 is young. They have to be consulted and talk with you and the family, doctors, their religious guide if they wish. Hospice can do wonders at home, OP. Maybe your parent wants to do a few final thing to put their affairs in order.

[Anonymous]

What did the dr say?

[Anonymous]

OP, is your family willing to accept Hospice Care only? I would

[Anonymous]

If your loved one wants to go home, please take them home to die with hospice. We are talking days, maybe weeks, not months.

[Anonymous]

So sorry. My dad had stage 4 pancreatic. Wasn’t hospitalized and had his last meal early November. He died early Feb after 4 days without water. It’s horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a parent around 70 years old has metastatic stage IV cancer and has not eaten in a week due to stomach pain, maybe due to metastases and leaking bile, how long can they live on IV nutrition in a hospital? We have no idea how much time a parent has left. Any idea would be appreciated. They under no circumstances want to go to a facility - only hospital or home.

What is the point of iv nutrition? Please let them go home.

[Anonymous]

So sorry. My mom died of pancreatic cancer at the hospital. I believe it was about 10 days. To those who say iv nutrition is cruel, it’s more cruel not to ignore the wishes of the patient. The hospital can manage the pain fairly well. We didn’t get to a PE tube but you can go home w/ that.

[Anonymous]

I would try to talk to someone at hospice

[Anonymous]

If you have hospice they can get you strong pain medication to use at home. They have access to pharmacies that specialize in managing cancer pain and the family administers it. If your parent hasn't eaten in a week, please be in touch with hospice. You may need a referral from the oncologist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If a parent around 70 years old has metastatic stage IV cancer and has not eaten in a week due to stomach pain, maybe due to metastases and leaking bile, how long can they live on IV nutrition in a hospital? We have no idea how much time a parent has left. Any idea would be appreciated. They under no circumstances want to go to a facility - only hospital or home.

What is the point of iv nutrition? Please let them go home.

Agree with this. I don't think the hospital is going to be willing to put a nutrition IV in if the patient is clearly in pain and clearly dying. The patient's body is breaking down and cannot make use of the nutrients very well and furthermore, the nutrients could even migrate out of the stomach to other parts of the body and cause edema which is painful.

[Anonymous]

Do they have a written plan, expressing their end-of-life wishes? Have you asked the doctor what she/he expects to happen. These discussions are important to have.

[Anonymous]

My MIL had ALS and couldn't swallow, was on a feeding tube and wanted to go hospice. They removed the tube. It took her 4 weeks to pass, even without water. It took much longer than anyone expected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My MIL had ALS and couldn't swallow, was on a feeding tube and wanted to go hospice. They removed the tube. It took her 4 weeks to pass, even without water. It took much longer than anyone expected.

All of these stories are so sad. Was your mom unconscious? I can't imagine. -NP