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Asking for tips on how to get LO to drink lots of water for radiation

Paula F
Paula F Member Posts: 1 Member
in Caring For a Spouse or Partner
My LO w/dementia is about to start radiation for prostate cancer. He remembers that he had surgery 5 years ago, so doesn't understand why he needs radiation now. He will need to drink 25 oz of water in 10 minutes before radiation, and it's a struggle to get him to drink that much in an entire day. I got the okay for him to drink the water at the doctor's office, and I'm going to use 5 oz cups so the task doesn't look as overwhelming, but I'm looking for insight on how to get him to drink all the water necessary in such a short time. To boot, he has to drink 64 oz of water for 3 days pre-CT scan, and 64 oz by 11:30 a.m. the day of the CT scan. This seems impossible, especially since he doesn't understand that it's about filling his bladder, not quenching his thirst.

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  • Goodlife2025
    Goodlife2025 Member Posts: 297
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    Hi not sure how far along your husband is but ….Would it be possible to turn it into a game with the both of you drinking water? If I were in your shoes I might try this my DW in stage 5.

  • jgreen
    jgreen Member Posts: 285
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    Member

    Hi, @Paula F

    If you have some time before the procedures you might try a ‘trial run’ getting your DH to drink the 25 oz in 10 min and the 64 oz in a day. I have trouble getting my DH to drink 32 oz in a day - constant reminders and him refusing most attempts.

    After your trial runs, if you find he might not be able to do it, ask the radiation center what they recommend? It might be he could have some IV infusions for that hydration. There might be clinics or something like an urgent care center that would work with you. Downside to this is this is terrible flu season and being around large groups of people is risky for us and our LOs.

    I hope this will work out for you two. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 6,288
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    @Paula F

    Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

    This is difficult place in which you find yourself. Sadly, dealing with cancer, heart disease and other life limiting conditions in the context of dementia is not uncommon. It sounds as though your DH is at least in the mid-stages given your concerns about getting him to participate cooperatively with his treatment. Will this be a daily battle over the course of a traditional 6-8 week course or will it be a shorter course?

    Are you able to speak frankly, meaning without your DH present, with the doctor or an NP ahead of treatment? What would happen if he wasn't adequately hydrated? What is the prognosis if you do nothing based on the type of cancer he has? Is there an alternative treatment that might be easier on him?

    When dad had a recurrence of prostate cancer just before he was diagnosed in mid-stage dementia, he elected to do ADT which meant an IM injection twice a year. While the treatment wasn't onerous, he did seem to have a drop in cognition with each injection.

    A dear friend's mom developed breast cancer in the middle stages. It was fairly advanced when found. My friend elected to take comfort measures only rather than spend her mom's remaining days treating cancer aggressively.

    HB

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 3,175
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    I would not put my husband through that. I have had radiation and it’s difficult for anyone. I can’t imagine him being able to tolerate it much less the prep for it. I would ask the doctor what other treatment is available.

  • H1235
    H1235 Member Posts: 1,710
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    Welcome. I assume there will be more than one radiation treatment. If these cause his dementia to progress even a little and you are concerned about getting him to drink the water now, what happens if he flat out refuses later or is unable to cooperate with other things necessary for treatment(laying still). Have you asked the doctor if they would put their loved one with dementia through this. As others have said I would read through the DBAT again with a good look at the final stages. The end is very ugly. Read some of the posts from caregivers with loved ones in the final stages. I don’t mean to attack you decision to treat the cancer. I just think specialists can be very single minded in their approach, thinking only of the cancer without considering the dementia and quality of life. I’ve attached a couple of resources that may give have some information about the later stages. Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us.

    Tam-Cummings-LLC-Handouts (2).pdf
    understanding-the-dementia-experience.pdf
  • midge333
    midge333 Member Posts: 649
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    What are the goals of radiation therapy? For example, will it shrink his prostate so he can avoid the need for a catheter? If there is not some clear goal other than "treating cancer", then I would reevaluate the need for radiation.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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