@mtborz

You need to talk with your doctor about getting a feeding tube for your husband. When I was diagnosed with stage IV oral cancer the doctors told me I should consider doing a feeding tube. They told me if I’m unable to consume enough calories and protein I would lose weight. The thought of it was not pleasant but it saved my life. I still lost 15 pounds but it would’ve been a lot more had I not done the feeding tube. The doctors did the calculations and determined based on my current weight of 168 pounds I would need at least 75 grams of protein to maintain my weight. I would suggest in the interim you keep a daily diary of how many calories and how much protein your husband is consuming each meal/day this will help the doctors to determine if he’s getting enough protein and calories. Protein is very important to help maintain weight, it’s not just the calories. For me, I had good health insurance and the doctors ordered a peg food called Jevity. This was shipped to my house and the insurance covered all of it, but it has to be ordered by the doctor after he has a peg tube inserted. I would receive 3 to 4 cases a week. And yes, the dietician and speech therapist should also be working with you and your husband. Toungue exercises with a spoon are very important. I did not do as much as I should’ve but I later realized that was a big mistake. As they once told me, what you don’t use such as the tongue muscles you will loose. As for the neasua, there are meds to help with that, Reglan is very good on calming the stomach. I would also suggest trying Lactaid free milk products. Milk can be tough on the stomach as we get older. One last thing, most people think of saliva as keeping the mouth moist. If you research it you will see saliva has enzymes that break down the food we eat. Without those enzymes we would be just chomping all day and not be able to swallow. The radiation did a number on my saliva, it was all but gone. Dry mouth is very common with you have radiation to the head/neck area. I still have dry mouth today but it’s not as bad. I no longer have to hug a water bottle everywhere I go. When I get dry I use lozenges. I realize the reply is long but I’m just trying to give you as much information as I can to help deal with a difficult time for you and your husband. I only wish there was a group like this for me when I had to go through this. Unfortunately I was on my own. But I’m still here and now able to help others, be well my friend and good luck with your husband. It’s a battle, but it will get better, I promise you.