Nutrition

I completed chemo and radiation for tongue cancer one week ago.  For the last 5 weeks I have injested Ensure through a G-tube.  My therapy was 20 min radiation during every weekday and Erbitux once weekly for seven weeks.  I know I can swallow because of all the mucous that this therapy creates.  My tongue still has some numbness. 

I would like to know what I will be able to eat and when in general.  The last thing I was eating was popsicles, but they don't make it yet.  Neither does Jello or ice cream.  The other thing is the mucous.  After six days of not sleeping (mucous gagging after a few minutes) I finally made a Benedryl and Vicotin cocktail and slept a few hours.  Are there any other suggestions for the mucous? 

Hi Donna,

Congratulations for completing treatment!

For mucus try salt water gargles throughout the day and Guafenisen. It can be purchased at any drug store. It's the active ingredient in Mucinex but it's not time-released as Mucinex is. that way you get the whole dose at once and I think it works better.

As for eating, start with stuff like mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and oatmeal. Stay away from meats, breads, rice, and stuff that will congeal when you chew it. Also, it goes without saying but I'll say it anyway, stay away from spicy foods. It will take a long time until you can tolerate them again.

Good luck!

Joe 

Congratulations on you completion of treatment.  I am two years out of treatment and the mucous was and has been bad.

 I would bend over and it would just come out when I coughed.  Suggestion was given to me and it works, when it gets real bad use salt and warm water, you can get a Nedi Pod (i use a little pot with a spout the ones to water plants with a spout) lean over the sink and put the end of the spout on the top nostril, it will come out the other side, but looses that mucous where you can cough and spit it out.  There is no limit on the usage.  It helps a great deal.

 I also use Musinex, 1200 mg in the morning and in the evening, that has helped as well to minimize it.  You will get use to this until it gets better or just goes away after time.

Be gentle to yourself on eating, it will depend on consistency so you don't choke.  I eat a lot of cream of wheat made with milk and lots of butter, and sweatner if any. 

Best of luck to you and trying things out, but spicey food is really out for now, maybe later you can try it!!!

 Love & Warm Hugs

Patricia