Thank you everyone. I appreciate your concern and comments. Go in this am for PEG

Larry you should have been told about the staging though it's really not that much of an indicator in the whole scheme of things. - also they should have tested your tumor. Hugs and the black stuff could be necrotic tissue for sure. Good luck today.

I go to chemo and radiation dr today. I had PEG put in on Fri and have been spitting up large amounts of phlegm and blood. A home health care nurse came out to give us beginning of training with the PEG. I am experiencing a lot of acid since PEG was placed. Tomorrow I begin Radiation.

Best of luck the first few weeks aren't bad, then depending on where the rads is aimed you may have a metallic taste and eventually no taste (for a while) you may have a raw sore mouth and throat (for sure on the throat) and of course pain. - stay on top of the pain, and take as much by mouth as you can until you can no longer do this and even then continue to swallow as radiation causes muscle damage and impedes circulation (it basically burns you) if you stop swallowing all together for a length of time your muscles could atrophy and you would be on a peg for life, rads does cause swallowing problems as it is so you want to do what you can to maintain function, ask for magic mouthwash and make up a bottle of salt/baking soda (1tbsp each) and water, rinse and spit. Or buy club soda (which you can swallow) and flatten it, drink swish and swallow)

That's a minor crash course. - hugs.

[quote=larry6905]I go to chemo and radiation dr today. I had PEG put in on Fri and have been spitting up large amounts of phlegm and blood. A home health care nurse came out to give us beginning of training with the PEG. I am experiencing a lot of acid since PEG was placed. Tomorrow I begin Radiation. [/quote]

I wouldn't worry about the mucus or the blood at this point. It could be many things. Even something as little as worrying could increase acid or irritating the vagus nerve while placing the PEG would do it. You are in good hands now. If you suddenly start seeing large volumes of blood, go to the ER immediately to be safe. The color of the blood is a good indication of where it is or where it is coming from.

Best wishes for some smooth sailing.

When you have a peg tube you have to be careful with many things. No heavy lifting, try to limit your lifting to only about 20-25 pounds at the most. After eating or doing a feeding you should sit in a chair still for at least a half hour to allow your stomach to settle. If you dont already have a feeding pump, ask the doc for a prescription to get one. This way you can take nutrition while you sleep making it easier to hit your daily minimums. If you do night time feedings prop yourself up on several pillows or raise the head of your bed so you are on an incline. Many here have found comfort in sleeping in a recliner for overnight feedings. Try over the counter acid medicines like zantac. Make sure you discuss every change with your doc. You might want to get checked out if you havent improved in a few days.

Good luck!

I had a PEG placed last Fri then Mon I began to bleed from mouth and my PEG filled up with blood. I was placed in hospital, given a PICC and began RAD and Chemo.
I am experiencing severe ear pain. Has anyone else had this and does anyone have any suggestions? I am on Norco 10-325. I also have severe stomach acid. It is not reflux.
My bleeding has slowed dow a lot but swallowing is beginning to really hurt. So far though I've been able to continue to eat.
I now have a home health care nurse who comes 2x's a week.
I am on many different meds. I went from never taking meds.
I feel like I got on a scary ride and can't get off.
I am home now and went for my first out of hospital RAD.
I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on the ear pain and terrible acid in stomach.

So you're getting food through a tube..? Maybe ask them to change the formula or slow it down to a more manageable rate?
the meds are likely a big culprit in your gastric issues, try and take them with your feeds.
The ear pain - that's a bit harder... maybe a different med?

hugs..

I would ask whoever put in the PEG (Medical Imaging?) to take a look at it. John has had a PEG for two years and has never had blood in the tube. I would talk to the MO about the ear ache. Maybe it is a side effect of the chemo.

It is not normal to have blood in your feeding tube. They need to check this out! Call the doc who installed it and insist on being seen immediately. If you are experiencing pain in the stomach or abdominal area go to the ER. Its possible something happened and the PEG tube became dislodged. Im speaking from experience, I had some issues with mine years ago from an overzealous doctor pressing too hard on my stomach. The feeding tube ended up being dislodged and embedded in my abdominal wall. I was in agony any time the nurses attempted to put anything in the tube.

If your ear hurts and you have other pain (besides the stomach area) talk with your RO. Ask for stronger pain meds to keep it manageable. Being in pain is actually detrimental to patients as it causes unneeded anxiety.

As far as your intake goes, every single day you need to hit the bare minimums of 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. If you can take more in that can only help you get thru this ordeal easier. Even 3500 or 4000 calories daily arent too much while going thru this. As far as hydration goes, ask for an open prescription to get extra hydration from the chemo lab a few times per week. This is especially important for patients getting chemo. Even if it hurts, keep swallowing. You must retain the functionality of your swallowing muscles. Taking sips of water thru out the day will help keep you hydrated and get those muscles moving so they dont forget how to funtion properly.



Hope you feel better very soon!