a very dear friend of mine is in stage iv colon cancer. the chemo has stopped and she has been sent home with some type of stomach fluid pump that is connected to a port in her abdomen. her only source of nutrition is ensure drinks and soft foods like jello. i know that her body cannot maintain this. i can't imagine she will last a month like this. what will happen? how will the end come? will her heart just stop due to lack of nutrition? need to know.
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Hopefully your friend is under hospice care? They can guide and explain the next phase of this journey . . many, many cancer patients at the end of life phase will stop eating and barely drink at all . . in fact it is almost cruel to force food or water on a dying patient . . this must be her decision totally. Basically the dying body can no longer process food normally . . and water will end up 'pooling' within the body and cause bloating and discomfort. Your friend may just naturally stop eating because it will make her feel nauseous or bloated . . drinking fluids will cause edema or worse ascites. So she will naturally not crave or desire food . . she may be thirsty and be able to swallow ice chips. When a patient is dying just eating and drinking may become a burden for them . . offer it . .but if they refuse than just support and love her because eventually the body will starve or organs fail from lack of water. It is the cancer that is killing her . . but it is the bodies natural way of dealing with the end of life. This may become very upsetting to you and those who are around her . . but allow her to lead the way . . let her chose whether to stop eating and drinking as this may be the kindest path to the end of her life. I am so, so sorry. Just hold her, love her, and let her go. NCI: End of Life Questions and Answers http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/end-of-life-care Advanced Cancer http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Advancedcancer
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