My father is being fed through a tube through the stomach with probalance and eats very small meals. He was diagnosed in January of  2008 with Esophageal Cancer, it seems to be in later stages. He had chemo and radiation. The tumor was reduced 50%. He is no longer receiving treatment. He is 88. Went from being extremely active with my healthy 87 yr old Mother, playing golf, driving, working around the house. Now he weighs 135 pounds to 114 pounds, depressed, feeling hopeless and won't eat much and won't hardly drink. Uses a walker. Fell last weekend. Extremely week, extreme mood changes which I've read about. On prednisone for Radation Pneumonia.

 Any advice??

 Hi, I can simpathize with you in regards to the not eating and loosing weight, my mom has brain cancer stage 4, the same thing that ted kennedy has, opposite side of brain.  She is not cooperating with her meals she says everything taste sour and that her throat hurts.  She seams to eat sweets more than anything else.  I really feel for you, its really difficult to see this change in our parents behavior, mine too was very independent now she needs our care round the clock.  I'ave taken to give her whatever she asks for and sometimes getting mad when she doesn't eat it anyway.  its very difficult to not loose your patience, just today i told her she should cook her own meals since apparently she's the only one who know's how to cook.  Of course i feel terrible after saying that and go back and forth with my emotions.   All I can wish you is that you have the patience to deal with this and that God be merciful and not let your father nor my mother suffer too much if even that...

Advise...little nibbles of whatever is of his favorite stuff even if its junk food its better than nothing...would he drink boost or ensure shakes?  my mom says they are awful, won't drink them, may be worth a try.