My husband stopped eating. It was difficult to get him to eat anything and he would just sit and look at his medications. He was so slowed down it took 3 hours to get him ready to go to a Doctor's appointment. The Nurse at the pain clinic said it wasn't from the pain meds. When we went to his oncologists nurse I explained how he was behaving and said it looks like depression. She gave him some samples of Lexapro, an antidepressant. After a month his appetite, mood, and behavior is much improved. He is eating again. However we were also told that the cancer itself sends out a hormone that depresses the appetite. He also recommended Hospice. I asked if my husband met the criteria and he said yes. The criteria is a prognosis of 6 months or less of life.
We met with one of the hospice services in our community. We decided to not involve them just yet. Perhaps if he had been home bound it would be different but for now he is still getting out. We also met with a new Pain Doctor this week and he says he will be able to help with the pain without using more higher doses of Fentanyl. All of my husband's pain is in his ribs where the cancer has invaded so he will do a Thoracic epidural sterioid injection which will numb a band around his body where the pain is. With less pain my husband will have an improved quality of life and will be able to some of the activities he enjoys such as photography and wood carving.






Your husband sounds alot like my father did. My father slowed down greatly because of depression and the chemo. He too went on Lexapro and it did help. He also was a carpenter and loved to work with his hands. He too ended up with hospice at home. I commend you for not involving Hospice in your life just yet. As long as your husband is mobile and can tolerate the pain at home I definitely suggest you to care for him as much as you can. Once you feel overwhelmed and consumed then at that point it will be time to take a second look at their offer. I'm not sure what state you are in and have come to understand that Hospice works differently depending where you live. I'm in South Florida so Hospice solely comes in during a crisis i.e., pain management, change in level of consciousness so therefore we did it pretty much all on our own until the very end. I hope that I can be of some comfort to you and guide you in any way you need. My father just passed away one week ago today 9-4-08 and I know he would have wanted me to help others in the same situation as he was.
My heart goes out to you,
Ellie
Luvupapi