| Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 1 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2015 Posts: 1 | Hello, My mum is nearly four weeks post radiation and chemo to treat her oropharyngeal cancer. She is having trouble eating because when she tries, she chokes and coughs. I believe some food particles were even entering her lungs. I am wondering if this is normal and what she can do to help get food down? Thanks | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF! Eating after radiation for oral cancer can be very difficult. Many patients end up needing a feeding tube during or after their treatments. Your mother should get evaluated right away with a barium swallow test. This will show exactly where the foods and liquids go when your mother eats. It can be a dangerous situation when food and/or liquids end up in the patients lungs. Its called aspirating and can cause pneumonia. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 | Welcome to the family. ChristineB is right, aspiration pneumonia can be very dangerous. If you are concerned, check your mother's temperature every now and then. Four weeks out may be a bit earlier to be eating and drinking. The body is still forming scars from the radiation at this point. If she can take small sips, have her do that but let her take most of her nutrition by PEG tube if she has one. But tell her that it is extremely important to do her swallowing exercises everyday. They will keep the swallowing muscles intact. At this point, I would talk to the RO or MO and let them know I am concerned. Have them refer your mom for a barium swallowing test. These tests may take some time to arrange.
Gloria She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards
Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016. | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Agreeing with both of the above. Also maybe try and give her thickened foods and drinks. This makes it easier to swallow. Boost or a power shake that will give her nutrition but is easier to swallow. He throat is burned from the radiation and the muscles at this point don't work all that well. But do have her swallowing evaluated, hugs and good luck.
Last edited by Cheryld; 04-26-2015 08:27 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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