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Post treatment for SCC tongue cancer following 7 weeks radiation

Posted by sharooni @sharooni, Feb 5 6:39pm

My husband finished 7 weeks of radiation therapy for SCC at the base of his tongue with 6 chemo treatments. He now suffers from severe dysphagia and is having a very difficult time eating anything. He's been hospitalized for dehydration and is now hospitalized for asphyxiated pneumonia and sepsis. Working with speech therapy but is only able to manage small bites of pureed foods over a long period of time. He does have a G-tube which is his main source of nutrition, but very frustrating. He needs reminders to swallow correctly otherwise his problems will persist. We are one month out from treatment. Has anyone else experienced this? Just looking for suggestions from anyone. Thank you.

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William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Feb 23 2:09pm
In reply to @sharooni "My husband is almost 2 months out from radiation/chemo treatment. While he has his struggles with..." + (show)
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My husband is almost 2 months out from radiation/chemo treatment. While he has his struggles with his swallowing, I've noticed that he's become weaker as the days progress, instead of gaining strength. He does spend a lot of time sitting in his recliner chair without much movement other than to take a few laps around the house and/or go to the bathroom and hook up for tube feedings. He is starting outpatient physical therapy this week so hopefully he gets his strength back. I believe he is depressed because he does just sit in the house and watch tv all day and has a lot on his mind. He has a throat scope tomorrow that is worrying both of us as to what it will show. Hopefully it will be entirely different than the last one. I try to engage him in household activities or conversations to no avail. I'm at my wit's end myself as I've become his nurse, not his wife and I'm tired. What more can I do? He needs to help himself! Today we go to speech therapy again so hopefully she feels that things are improving and he can start drinking more. Just wanted to vent! Thanks for listening!

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@sharooni Being somewhat depressed after going through all of this is common but perhaps hard to understand. There is a lot to sort out about life in general and of course the constant thoughts that this isn't over, the cancer might return. Hopefully, eventually, he should realize that this can be put behind him and it is time to "either get busy living or get busy dying" as the quote from Steven King goes. Four months from now things should vastly improve.
I'm sure he still feels like crud. The side effects are such a drag. What's the point of all this? I can't believe this happened!
Find a food or two that is easy to swallow such as pudding, ice cream, root beer floats, custard, jello, etc. Let him eat all he wants of what ever it is. If the swallowing issues persist, there are physical therapists who help with swallow disorders. It basically takes persistence, perhaps stretching exercises, and concentration at first. Get those fifty-plus small muscles involved in a 'simple" swallow all working in unison once again.
I think it is harder for the caregiver than the patient at this point. OK to vent.

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