#37462 06-07-2004 12:57 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 13 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 13 | I know in the scheme of things this is a silly but here goes. Can someone with a peg tube go swimming? Told you it was silly, but I feel Paul might be able to get his strength back by walking in the water. His arms also are not very flexable and I thought it might help him with that also. Thank you for any advice you can give.
Shiley | | |
#37463 06-07-2004 06:43 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Shiley,
No question is too silly or too small. I actually asked my doctor the same thing last summer. He told me getting it a little wet would not be any different than taking a bath but staying in the water too long might irritate the skin around it. I would be more concerned getting in the sun after radiation (and the neighborhood pool users freaking out at my tube!). I don't know if Paul had radiation but if so, minimal sun exposure the first year is usually recommended and always sunscreen on the radiation area.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#37464 06-08-2004 12:29 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | My radiation oncologist told me minimal sun exposure for the rest of my life, due to the "lifetime dose" of radiation to the skin.
Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#37465 06-08-2004 05:11 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 13 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 13 | Thank you guys,
Paul has had max radiation to both sides of his neck and he is very careful about going out in the sun. He puts on sunscreen and wraps his neck in a kerchef. We don't want to do anything that could make things worse.
we just thought that walking in the water might give him more strength. He has had bracytherapy, two neck disctions and on the 12th of may they took most of his soft palate. He also has lost 80lbs since this all started and he is looking for somthing positive too happen. He is going to have a pothetisis made for him on monday so maybe he will feel better if he can talk again.
Sorry, I am starting to ramble again. I have such a hard time seeing all of his bones and he has been so brave so far. He just wants something good too happen.
Again,thank you for your advice
Shirley | | |
#37466 06-08-2004 06:05 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Shirly,
I think you are right on track to try and get him moving and limbering up. I found I felt better even after a short walk. It helped with getting back an interest in food also.
I don't know about your PEG question. I'd give his doctor a call about that.
Take care.
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#37467 06-08-2004 06:22 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Shirley,
I am so sorry you have to see Paul like this. I lost 70 lbs and I didn't even notice myself when I walked by a mirror. The good thing about even walking a bit is that it will get oxygenated red blood cells circulating better and energy will improve. And by the way, something "good" has happened to Paul, he has you by his side. You, too, are very brave to be by his side through all of this!
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#37468 06-09-2004 05:34 AM | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | Shirley,
I was told not to swim or take baths until I got the PEG tube removed. However, during recovery, I used to take a 2 mile walk every day, and it did wonders for my health and state of mind. After I started feeling better I used to play golf wearing the PEG tube as well.
Danny G.
Stage IV Base of Tongue SCC
Diagnosed July 1, 2002, chemo and radiation treatments completed beginning of Sept/02.
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