Nasal Pharyngeal Carcinoma

My husband has recently been diagnosed with stage three NPC.  Johns Hopkins recommend a local group to apply chemoradiotherapy.  We have our pre-treatment consult Dec 18.  I'm reading a lot about needing a feeding tube.  Has anyone has success without one?  He is an extremely willful and determined man when he wants to be.  Can this alone get him thru without the tube?  I've downloaded tons on nutrition shakes and more.  We are seeing a nutritionist hopefully next week as well. Also, did everyone need a pick line?  I can't seem to locate information on that.  Thank you for all your sharing and help.

On 12/10/2007 Mediator wrote:
My husband is on his 4th cycle of chemo treatment now and has completed 35 radiation treatment. You won't believe how useful the tube is. In fact that's the only way he can get his nutrition in. He hasn't been able to drink or eat anything through the mouth for almost 2 months now. I strongly recommend that you go ahead with the tube.

My husband has recently been diagnosed with stage three NPC.  Johns Hopkins recommend a local group to apply chemoradiotherapy.  We have our pre-treatment consult Dec 18.  I'm reading a lot about needing a feeding tube.  Has anyone has success without one?  He is an extremely willful and determined man when he wants to be.  Can this alone get him thru without the tube?  I've downloaded tons on nutrition shakes and more.  We are seeing a nutritionist hopefully next week as well. Also, did everyone need a pick line?  I can't seem to locate information on that.  Thank you for all your sharing and help.