Hang in there David. Check into getting the Carnation Instant Breakfast lactose free VHC. this drink contains 560 calories and makes it much easier to take in the calories. That's just 6 6oz cans a day. I think Davidcpa has the website for it. You may be able to google it, I think that is how I ended up finding it. I got the info and took it to my pharmacy and they started carrying it for me. Good luck.

David: Just want to say: hang in there! Sounds like you're a very brave soul! My thoughts and prayers are with you. DO keep us informed of your progress! Lois

Hi David, sounds like you're handling things. A word of advice on the peg tube - it's not an either or with eating. Jack used it and also kept swallowing whatever he could. You just figure out the total calories from doing both.

You bet it tears away at you and that does not make you a wimp. Jack is stage IV and he is 17 months post diagnosis - and doing well. You will be too. He had the peg tube about 8 months in all and was a happy camper the day it was removed. Today his swallowing is almost what it was before, he's back to work, and life is good. Hang in there, this too shall pass. Make sure that you keep checking your temperature, washing your hands, and taking reasonable precautions. Mostly make sure you are staying well hydrated with 2-3 quarts of water, in additon to your 3200 calories. That helps keep the side effects down.

Regards JoAnne

David,

Here's the VHC post I copy of us brave souls:

Try Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC. It has 560 nutritional balanced calories in a 8 oz can and will cut the misery and the time in feedings. You order it thru your pharmacy dept and some have suggested that if you get a prescription for it, your insurance company will pick up the tab. I only pay about $32.00 per 24 can case at Walgreens. That's only $5.00 a day for 2000 calories. Click on this link:

http://www.nestle-nutrition.com/family.aspx?objectID=86E49EB3-BE25-4B16-81D7-235E6F6E5183

Under the PURCHASE PRODUCTS tab, select FIND A PHARMACY NEAR YOU.

Under the PRODUCT NAME pull down, select Carnation Instant Breakfast Lactose Free VHC and fill in your zip code and they will give you a list of pharmacies that carries it.

At the top of that list note the Product Code and NDC Number in case that helps you when you call the store. When I call Walgreens it only takes a day or 2 at the most to get it delivered to the store and they call me when it's in.

You can also order it online but it usually costs more and takes much longer to get.

No, I do not work for the company nor do I get a commission (I wish) but this product made my feeding life during and post treatment much much easier and I am sure it will do the same for you.

Keep on posting. We that have been down your path are here to show you the best route.

Well another set back, the peg tub was not placed correctly , so now they have taking it out. I get to go all through it again tommorrow. Hopefully, I won't have the same proublems. Thanks for the info on the Carnation Instant VHC. the nutritionist has put me on it . I lost 10 pounds last week. But do to my size I have to drink 6 cans a day and even though it does not taste to bad, it is still not that good anybody have any good mixing ideas to not get bored with flavor to quick,since it looks like I still have 5 weeks to look forward to this wonderful drink lol. but I guess you have to do what you have to do. The Dr. has gave me a scrip for it, but so far no luck on finding a pharmacy to fill it and send it into insurence, but will keep trying . I did how ever find a site on the web call MED.com and was able to order 2 cases (8 day Supply) for 27.24 each plus 11.13 for shipping of course lol . But at lest it will get me started, Thanks for all the info and will talk again soon.

David

david,

I mix mine now with about 4 ozs of whole milk but during the rough times I swallowed it from a room temp can, the faster the better.

You say you "still have 5 weeks to look forward to this wonderful drink"...I'm almost 10 months out and I still drink 1 can a day so you better count on at least 1 month past treatment.

Don't you have Walgreens or CVS pharmacies near you? If so, you can get VHC from them.

David, check to see if Apria Home Health Care centers have locations in your area. We got our Nutren- same company who makes VHC- through them. You could try mixing ice cream toppings in different flavors with your VHC for variety. Or since it is summertime- purree fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, kiwi, etc. into the VHC. Hang in there. Amy in the OZarks

id I went in to get the peg tube put back in, but they could not get the light to shine though thre stomach, so after a half a day they gave up and decided to go from the outside using the ct scan and trying to feed the wire from the outside. Well that did not work either because where my stomach got smaller after losing 10 lbs last week. They did however managed to get air in between my stomach and stomach lining. They said that I will be fine because it did not get into the blood vessels and the air will disapate in time, it just causes alot of cramping. But other than that still pushing forward with all your help.

well DavidCPA I went to the cemo Dr. he wants to treat it with 4TR cisplatin or 2 TR of something called equlixpin I spelled it wrong , but he did not write it down. He said it was a type of cemo they use on colin cancer, but their has been 1 study that shows it works on tonsil and noyds in the neck, plus not as amany side effects as the cisplation. He agrees with all the other Drs that thius is a mop up operation, but they say you don't bring a water gun to a war. you bring the best you got , so I guess I will have to see what research I can get quickly. to decide on which type of cemo. To everyone else thanks for the info on the mixes for the Carnation VHN, I am know mixing it with milk and syrups and it is going down and staying down so thanks and will also take any other tips. thanks to everyone on the site

going with the Erbitux