How to gain weight after H&N Cancer treatment ends?

I’m not sure and is why I asked.

Ok got it. Sorry I misunderstood

I was treated for small cell lung cancer fall of 2022 finishing treatments the end of Nov.
In addition to the other foods suggested by Ginger, I was told to eat Robert Irvine's Fit Crunch Bars between meals.
They are high protein (16 grams) which helps with the muscle loss that occurs during treatment.
They are high calorie - 190 cal per bar.
They taste good. Of course please check with your care team to see if it is appropriate for you.
I hope this helps and wish you and your husband the best.
Vickie

This is a great question Sandralea58,

I completed treatment for a locally advanced Head & Neck cancer in March. About 60 days out. I am having PET scan anxiety coming up 6/1. I feel like I will be told there is still some inflammation and my $100K scan (exaggeration) inconclusive and to rinse and repeat in 4 months. I'm not sure why I have this stuck in my head....perhaps a skeptic in my old age (57).
Your PET scan response was exactly what I am anticipating. Hence I've been on a mission to take everything anti inflammatory I can get my hands on. Including trying not eat anything possibly irritating to my throat although with spring arriving, its hard to avoid all the fruits.
I am curious, like you, of how many people had clear PET Scans at their first scan? If there is such a thing. Also, how often post treatment are we told to rinse and repeat and do another? I ask myself if all this x-ray's good for us if the results are inconclusive anyway.
I would love any feedback on this topic. Thank you.

I believe this is more common that we know. They told us 90 days before doing the PET scan was standard, but yours is 60 days out? I wish more people would talk about this. Our docs certainly did not. My husband saw his Respiratory Therapist post scan, and mentioned to her the results. She said it is quite common. If it’s quite common.. then why don’t they tell us that at the front end and help us through all the worry. There has to be a better way. Communication is key. Trouble is communication and science don’t play well together. IMO.

Putting the train back on the tracks, how is your husband doing? Eating going a little bit better? A root-beer float on a summer day really goes down easy.

Finished 35 Radiation and two months chemo Aug 2022 for HPV related CA on tonsils. Lost 70 lbs had Gtube (now removed) due to inability to swallow etc. Going for 3rd PET in Sept 2023. Had a previous scan that still looked hot but biopsy showed no CA cells. Some foods I just don’t like taste of anymore and little saliva keeps me from others. Greasy fish (salmon) or meats (burgers brat worst) easier to get down too. I drink 350 cal ensure, dole fruit cups and cheerios regularly. Also frozen (obviously cooked) vegetables daily. Scrambled eggs. Very little bread crackers cakes etc as they are too dry. My wife says I’m too skinny but I actually like my weight as I am weighing what I did when I was in the Army 50 years ago. Just finished the last 100km of Camino in Spain going to join gym to try and add muscle mass without adding weight. Loose skin like many oldsters! Keep a bottle of water handy at all times still get a little freaked about choking. Take heart. It gets better but never like before. I tell people it’s like surviving a major car wreck as you will carry remnants of the “accident “ forever. Live your life as best you can every day thankful for it. (I am going back for more Camino) We are blessed to be in the fraternity of survivors for the rest of our lives no matter how long that may be. So when you can physically, get off the couch out of the house and be alive (I walk then walk some more). I wish you health, better days ahead and God’s Blessings.

Thank you for your kind words. My hubby’s RO said they would repeat the PET scan in July. If still activity, then a biopsy would be done. He is regaining his health and strength, so we are not anticipating bad news. Your note was most encouraging. The camino.. how lovely. That has been on my bucket list for many years. Did you use a company to plan your trip and if so which one? Doing it in 100 km journeys seems just perfect to me. And yes, the fraternity of survivors is a powerful thing. We are blessed be be alive and living life. He is very aware of this gift. Blessings to you as well.

Re: Camino. Was going to do year before I got sick and had been walking daily to train for it when one day I woke up with a baseball size lump on my neck! It’s funny that all the while I was training (before I knew I was sick) I used to ask myself if this was my Camino. There is a saying that the Camino calls you.
So in Feb of this year I decided it’s now or maybe never (lol) booked my flights hired a travel company to transport bags and started training again.
Before CA I looked at the Camino as a bucket list item but slowly before departing my view point changed maybe God needed me to wait another year!
Go to YouTube to check out videos. You can prearrange hotels or stay in hostels. I needed my own room and bath so I prearranged with “Follow the Camino”. Another good company is “Camino Ways” and another “Orbis”. I walked from Sarria to Santiago. If the Camino calls you I can give you more information in the meantime check out YouTube videos and who knows the goal of going may be just the thing to lift your spirits. PS: I trained for 3 months walking 30-35 miles per week and used trekking poles.
Who knows how long we live and with what health. If we get periods of time where it is good then it’s time to live as fulfilling as possible. In a strange way I am almost thankful for my cancer as I have added new dimensions to my thinking and faith. There is a movie called “The Way” that you may enjoy.
Keep heart. God Bless You.

Hi, just to chime in with some info. I am now 3 years and few months since my treatment in which ended up with me losing around 70 pounds. Now some of that was an OK from me I was overweight and also carrying about 30 pounds in excess fluids. The rest was not OK. I am 6' 3" and my correct weight BMI is about 190 pounds. For my age group.
Your husbands problem probably needs a bit more time to resolve as the chemo leaves a BIG mark and takes many more months than they tell you. In my case it was over twelve months. So don't panic about weight just yet. Instead keep up nutrition, that is the most important.
Ensure 2 cal is one thing I still have daily, but I mix it up as a drink every morning with at least 3 big teaspoons of MILO granules (hopefully he can tolerate a chocolate shake) and then mix in the rest of a 1 litre Mixer with full fat milk. Yes he will get a bit of extra sugar, but the whole thing is easily digested, easy on a sore throat and ensures he gets at least 500-600 calories straight off the bat. Lots of extra vitamins and minerals in the MILO.
Demand feeding is not just for babies, ex cancer patients need a bit of it as well.
Fish is great, lots of good stuff in that, so we make up Salmon patties with about 50% mashed potato, or Tuna Mornay. Both are easily digested, He still needs plenty of greens as well, try making your own Chinese meals with lots cabbage or Chinese cabbage, plenty of rice to go with it.
Take it easy with any body building type exercise until he feels truly capable, walking is very much allowed to keep the blood circulating!

In the end it is very much up to him, he will be a picky eater, low levels of taste are the main cause, also tastes vary, I had a need for salt and hated sugar, the absolute reverse of what I was before chemo. My taste has pretty well back to normal for an old bloke.
PET Scans in the early stages can be a bit misleading, mine showed up very hot as If I still had the cancer, but a biopsy reversed that. Unfortunately for me all my PET scans since still show the same. My larynx is now shot to bits and according to ENT's will have to come out. No cancer but the tissue has turned Necrotic. So much depends on just how much Radiation in the 35 treatments your husband had and this will affect just how long it takes for any residual soreness to disappear.
In the meantime I wish both of you the very best and a very speedy recovery for your Husband, so his carer can get some rest.