Neck And Head Cancer

Its going on two and a half years since i had 35 radiation treatments in 3 different areas of my neck both sides as well as the front. I had the heavy Chemo,and adiession of the left side of my neck, Earlier right after my surgery i was fed thru a port in my chest, then slowly i was able to eat small amounts of puried food.As time goes on I am able to eat more food but need to wash everything down with hot tea, or coffee,also bottled water helps. Ihave no saliva at all and my mouth is as dry as a desert. I carry bottled water with me, and try to just sip it slightly, because I found drinking to much water fills me up and I have no appitite for food. I at times carry a small spray bottle with water to help the dryness,I have tried all the commercial produts, but find they really dont help. I still have a lot of flem and Im constantly gargleing and rinseing my mouth.I will continue to try out new metholds as well as any new products that go on the market. If I find anything that helps I will posted it on the site. JOE

My husband is 5 weeks out of treatment and still has not been able to eat a thing. Turns out he has an esophageal stricture and will have to have a dilation. Have heard that it works. Does anyone else have any info?

SheilaD
Consider your husband to be lucky that they can do a dilation. Apparently this post problem is fairly common, although it isn't mentioned as a possible outcome. I am 9 weeks post treatment for cancer of the base of the tongue and have had my swallowing capability diminish to the point that I cannot and a barium swallow test shows nothing going down. My next step is a probe to see if there is any opening at all because I am told that if none can be found, i may have to spend the rest of my life on the G-tube. I refuse that as an option. Look under the esophageal heading and you will find more with similar experiences.
I am interested in hearing from anyone who has had successful experiences in solving this outrageous problem.

 

On 10/6/2005 Sheiladr wrote:

My husband is 5 weeks out of treatment and still has not been able to eat a thing. Turns out he has an esophageal stricture and will have to have a dilation. Have heard that it works. Does anyone else have any info?

husband also was treated for throat cancer and has had two dialations...they worked somewhat, but he still has trouble swallowing.  I wanted to tell you about a wonderful supplement called Scandishake.  It's a powder that you mix with 8 oz of whole milk...and it gives you 600 calories.   I add icecream and a protein powder (the protein is necessary to help rebuild tissue.)  The entire milkshake winds up delivering about 900 calories.   It's helped my husband gain weight...though he still has a long way to go.   The Scandishakes come in vanilla and chocolate...and taste like milkshakes.   I have the pharmacist at Wal-Mart order them for me.   They are hard to find...but worth the search.  

My

I hope by the time you receive this message that your husband has improved through the dialations.  This outpatient treatment is also utilized for patients with narrowing of the esophagus due to GERD - and is extremely helpful with a short recovery time. My husband has had the dialation with success.  Don't be surprised if sometime in the next few years it may have to be repeated. 

Good luck!  I know from experience being a caregiver is tough - but know you're not alone.