Feeding tube patients: What's your experience?

I have tonsils cancer. Already gone through 1st round of chemo and radiation. Completed it in January 24.
I have a port and that was a great thing. But it took me forever to cross that bridge. Once they told me it could be removed down the road and not permanent, I went all inn. I’m jumping back into treatment end of this month but I’m concerned about all the weight loss and trouble eating. I am leaning towards a feed tube to combat weight loss from the get go. Is that permanent? Or can it also be removed in the future. Does anyone know.

@hondo88
I did get port and feeding tube during treatment. I lost about 20 pounds, but gained 10 back once I got on regular ISOSOURCE canisters 6 times a day for feeding tube. The side affects where no fun, but the end result of no remaining cancer was worth it. Let me know if I can answer questions?

My husband had an esophagectomy last June and received a j-tube during surgery for feeding purposes—the j-tube is inserted into the small intestine rather than the stomach. He's had problems ever since: nausea, vomiting, bloating and intolerance. We've gone through three different brands of formula hoping to find a brand that he can tolerate. Taking more than one container in succession triggers the nausea, etc. The tube has fallen out (or its balloon has deflated) a few times, necessitating a trip to the ER each time for replacement. However, he can't yet eat enough food to sustain himself without the formula so, as a necessary evil, it's here to stay—at least for awhile. On the upside, he no longer has cancer and the tube and formula are keeping him alive.

I had a j tube put in before treatment (chemo, radiation plus chemo, then surgery) because I could not swallow.

I could swallow after first chemo but kept tube because my taste buds got whacko and food tasted terrible.

The j tube stayed until several weeks after surgery. I didn’t eat normally for 7 plus months.

Having the j tube so long was best for me. I lost weight with it, but would have been worse if my only nutrition was eating. I couldn’t stand eating. The j tube took eating pressure away.

So, the j tube helped save me.

Having said that, the j tube is annoying. I had significant issues with friction, irritation, and infection with the tube. Three rounds of antibiotics. We finally figured out how to direct the tube so it didn’t drag - pull down - the tube causing skin issues.

We cleaned it closely every day. Eventually, we did not follow advice on keeping the disc tight against my abdomen - that just caused trouble. We experimented until we found best way for me, and my skin.

I’d do the j tube the same way again. I’d learn sooner how best to direct the tube (via tape) to keep it from causing problems.

I’m happy to discuss if you want to call.