On 4/13/2008
sparkle wrote:
On 4/26/2007
Feelndown wrote:
I went through radiation and chemo for throat cancer on the lower back part of my tongue last year. I developed every mouth sore possible to go along with the burned up throat. I became dehydrated due to not being able to swallow anything at all. I had a stomach tube put in and lived on a prescription nutrition drink called Jevity for about 3 months. It saved me. When I first started eating or drinking anything I discovered that water was very difficult to swallow as it is so thin. Buttermilk worked well for me to help get food down, plus I didn't choke on it so much since it is much thicker. I finished my last treatment in March of 2006 and my sweet taste buds still aren't back fully. I also had the cancer in my lymph nodes on the left side and my saliva glands on that side were burned up and thus I have very little saliva. I use Biotene mouthwash all the time now and carry a small bottle all the time to rinse with to help with the dry mouth. During treatment I used a pink liquid that was made up of Maalox, benedril, and some numbing agent(possibly lidocaine) or something like that that was supposed to make the throat numb enough to swallow, but mine was too bad although it helped me be able to talk better for a while after use and rest better. I slept in recliner for several months. Nothing will probably taste good for a while. Scrambled eggs are a good source of protein and can sometimes be swallowed easier than other things. Malto Meal worked fairly well for me when I was able to begin eating a few things also. I hope some of this helps. It is a horrible thing to have to go through, but I am starting to feel better finally after about 13 months. Doc said it might take a year and a half. I had just turned 60 when diagnosed due to a swollen lymph node. Keep the faith and may God
My husband is 72 and is three years out of cancer treatment. He had squaimous cell carcinoma stage 4 on his tongue and throat and lymph nodes. He is so far cancer free. He has little or no salvia and has been drinking liquid from novartis. 5 drinks a day. His stomach becomes very sick after drinking them and ends up in bed. We are looking for a solution for food for him that will keep his weight on and maybe make him gain weight. He cannot swallow much because he has no salvia. Anyone out there have a solution?
This is uncanny, your story is exactly the same as my husband even to the age. He has had the same problem, our doctor is reccomending a diatician to blend foods with the proper calorie levels and nutrition. Will let you know what happens