1. < Esophageal Cancer

Healing process post throat cancer

Posted by nlovejoy @nlovejoy, 5 days ago

My husband recently finished his metastatic squamous cell tongue cancer treatment , after 35 rounds of radiation and 6 rounds of chemo. His feeding tube was placed on January 6, the day he started his treatment. He’s getting 100% of his nutrition through the tube. Although he feels weary from the entire process, he has done very well. Just this week he has started consuming small amounts of tea, applesauce and even some coffee by mouth. Knowing now that this process is very up and down, what has been other’s experience with having the feeding tube eventually removed? I know the timeline is different for everyone.

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Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | 5 days ago

@nlovejoy
Hi, I had esophageal cancer which was treated with chemo and radiation. I also had a feeding tube for several months as I could not swallow due to tumor in lower esophagus. I was taking Isosource by feeding tube and it did provide nutrition. But I was having several side affects including coughing, tiredness, and diarrhea. Now the tube is out and scans show I'm cancer free. How far along is your husband? I'd be happy to answer any questions?
Don

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2 replies
nlovejoy | @nlovejoy | 5 days ago
In reply to @dsh33782 "@nlovejoy Hi, I had esophageal cancer which was treated with chemo and radiation. I also had..." + (show)
@dsh33782

@nlovejoy
Hi, I had esophageal cancer which was treated with chemo and radiation. I also had a feeding tube for several months as I could not swallow due to tumor in lower esophagus. I was taking Isosource by feeding tube and it did provide nutrition. But I was having several side affects including coughing, tiredness, and diarrhea. Now the tube is out and scans show I'm cancer free. How far along is your husband? I'd be happy to answer any questions?
Don

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Thank you so much for your reply. CONGRATS on being cancer free!! My husband completed treatment 3 weeks ago. Every day is different for him. The sloughing of the throat has been horrific. He coughs and gags, spitting up a lot of ugly stuff. That part is improving each day. Did you experience any of that? How long did you have the feeding tube once treatment was completed?
Thank you for your input!
Nieta

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | 5 days ago
In reply to @nlovejoy "Thank you so much for your reply. CONGRATS on being cancer free!! My husband completed treatment..." + (show)
@nlovejoy

Thank you so much for your reply. CONGRATS on being cancer free!! My husband completed treatment 3 weeks ago. Every day is different for him. The sloughing of the throat has been horrific. He coughs and gags, spitting up a lot of ugly stuff. That part is improving each day. Did you experience any of that? How long did you have the feeding tube once treatment was completed?
Thank you for your input!
Nieta

Jump to this post

"@nlovejoy
Yes, I had the ugly coughing up phlegm. I had the jtube for several months while I could not swallow and had no appetite. They removed the jtube as soon as the treatment was done and I could swallow again. Let us know how the next scan goes?
Don

REPLY
mintman | @mintman | 3 days ago
In reply to @dsh33782 "@nlovejoy Hi, I had esophageal cancer which was treated with chemo and radiation. I also had..." + (show)
@dsh33782

@nlovejoy
Hi, I had esophageal cancer which was treated with chemo and radiation. I also had a feeding tube for several months as I could not swallow due to tumor in lower esophagus. I was taking Isosource by feeding tube and it did provide nutrition. But I was having several side affects including coughing, tiredness, and diarrhea. Now the tube is out and scans show I'm cancer free. How far along is your husband? I'd be happy to answer any questions?
Don

Jump to this post

What stage was your cancer when you started treatment?

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1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | 3 days ago
In reply to @mintman "What stage was your cancer when you started treatment?" + (show)
@mintman

What stage was your cancer when you started treatment?

Jump to this post

"@nlovejoy
Hi, I was stage 3 when they found tumor in lower esophagus during endoscopy to see why I was having trouble swallowing.
But chemo and radiation worked, and I have clean scans now.
I hope all goes well with you and you will keep us posted.
Don

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