Connect
← Return to Radiation side effects with H&N cancer. When will they ever end?
Discussion
Radiation side effects with H&N cancer. When will they ever end?
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Dec 11, 2023 | Replies (141)Comment receiving replies
That's a good question, @7881188. Like @jimthomasintl, some people have the feeding tube after treatment and others before treatement. I'm tagging a few other members like @calenbd @joy345 @snotbox2014 @yolande73 @sepdvm @nnurse on this discussion to gather their experiences.
It sounds like your concern is not necessarily when your husband had the feeding tube inserted, but rather that he is not able to eat anything at all yet. It can be hard and I'm sure members have tips to share to help with eating.
Has your husband been working with an oncology dietitian to help him get used to the feeding tube? And to help you, too?
Replies to "That's a good question, @7881188. Like @jimthomasintl, some people have the feeding tube after treatment and..."
I've been on a feed tube since 2014, not sure if your aware but you can order gravity feed bags with a large bore (larger tubing) and what the wife dose is take a large can of hungry man soup, puts it in the blender with 2/3 of a can of water blends for about 2 min, heat in microwave for 45sec, (helps oils from clogging tube), pour into bag and serve. I do not use a feed pump so I connect right to my feed tube and fully open valve. nice alternative from formula every day. I'm stuck with this feed tube for the rest of my life, so I experiment start with creamy soups like mushroom, chicken, shrimp, tomato etc. do not use soups with a lot of beef, burger is ok if blended well. My wife also cooks up certain dishes that can be blended or liquified. Do not use vegies tha have a hull or are stringy (corn, celery, etc.) since 1999 I've had 4 MAJOR oral cancer surgeries, 35 radiation treatments 4 chemo and 5 outpatient surgeries, saliva thick as Jello, half a Tongue and can't swallow. Hope this is helpful and God Bless you all, I feel your pain
click on photo to enlarge
Connect
Yes we have had visits with Karen the Nutritionist! She has helped immensely to get us into proper tube feeding using a gravity bag. But now Michael is supposed to start eating when he can. He is doing mouth and jaw exercises. But he has much trouble with food ‘burning’ his mouth. He has some open sores that have not yet healed. We have tried almost every bland tasteless soft food we can think of and vanilla pudding is all he tolerates. He is 10 weeks post radiation now.
His eating or not eating has nothing to do with appetite or wanting to eat. It’s a matter of learning how to eat again using muscles that have not been used in months. Hence the exercises. His mouth hurts too much when trying to eat. He is able to take sips of water!
I’m going to ask his doctor if he may need stretching of his esophagus as he complains of food getting stuck!
Thanks for having this site. I’m hoping we can help someone else going thru this. Michael has oropharyngeal cancer/HPV. And we are looking for help from any of you with suggestions.