Life span with gastric tube and palliative care

I'm very sorry to hear about your mother. I'm wondering whether there aren't other nutritional options so that she could feel more comfortable (assuming that the doctor feels that more food would be beneficial to her). Most absorption of food takes place in the small intestine, so even if she has some sort of problem with her stomach, it's hard to understand why she wouldn't absorb the nutrients from tube feeding. You can also bypass the stomach entirely, and use a nasojejunal or nasoduodenal tube (feeding tubes that go directly to the small intestine).

Now perhaps there was a miscommunication, and the problem is actually not the stomach but rather issues with small intestinal absorption, which I presume could occur if the cancer has involved the small bowel. Then it might take TPN in addition to tube feeding to keep her adequately fed.

Anyhow, I'm sure you'll have a response from the forum doctor soon that will help sort things out. I'm not an MD, just a medical writer who has some knowledge of tube feeding from writing about G.I. issues; I just wanted to mention the other tube feeding options in case that might be of any use to you.

Thanks to both of you for your comments. This is a difficult time but it is eased by the absolute peacefulness and calm with which my mother is approaching the end of her life - a life that has given her great joy and satisfaction.

Yes the blockage is in the small intestine - the surgeon reported "only a trickle" of contrast went from the stomach into the intestine and her overall health did not make her a good candidate for surgery. She had already had bowel obstruction surgery two years ago and lived far longer than her doctors predicted at the time.

I appreciate the helpfulness - she was discharged to home today and we expect Hospice to begin care soon.

Thank you again for your thoughtful, caring responses. It means a tremendous amount to me.