 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Keith,
I didn't have the tube and it got pretty bad without it but I made it through and I was eating normally within a month post Tx and if I had to do it over again (God forbid) I would not get it again.
That said, the most important thing to remember to do is to continue swallowing every day and put at least 48oz of water and at least 2000 cals into your body. EVERYDAY. Even if you decide to get the tube, only use it when absolutly necessary. Don't become dependent on it and keep your weight up and you'll do fine.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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