Thanks everyone. Karen, you mention a high energy drink -- are you meaning something besides Jevity and TwoCal? We have some sample packets of Ensure plus. I'll try to get him to sip it.
He's still able to eat, as in his throat is sore, but issues with texture, spice/salt, etc are cropping up. Saliva issues are coming into it now, too. He just doesn't want to eat much because of nausea and now indigestion. He was prescribed Losec yesterday and indigestion is somewhat improved today. He takes maxolon regularly and has ondansatron but isn't using it. He's also got Emend, the three day course of antiemetic he gets after weekly chemo.
So the reasons for not eating have been 1) Discomfort and nausea post PEG insertion. PEG has been loosened and site less uncomfortable. 2) Nausea post chemo. Have full compliment of anti-emetics, one of which has only been used sparingly. 3) Indigestion. Losec should help. He is open to increasing his appetite and decreasing nausea via whatever means necessary. Exploring all options.
Last night he steeled himself up for dinner and after a couple of bites he looked disappointed and mildly confused. He complained about a funny taste. He tasted something else on the plate and it tasted funny, too. Metallic, I asked? Yes, said he. Side effect, I told him. He doesn't want to read ahead about any of this and relies on me to let him know what to expect -- understandable, although not how I personally would handle it. He just seemed so disappointed. This disease makes a person sad in a thousand ways.
He said before bed last night that he would start using the PEG suppliments today but it is after lunch and the cans sit unopened on the kitchen benchtop.
He's bitchy today. Day 3 post chemo is usually the start of 3 bad days. The radiation is kicking in, too. And a bit more hair than usual came out in the brush. He said something about feeling pretty low mentally which is not the sort of thing I would have expected to come out of his mouth. This is only the second bitchy day he's had since this whole thing started back in October. I have to admire him for that. Today I promise myself I will be the even tempered one.
Eric, you put it so well when you acknowledged both sides. Karen, I have no doubt that what he is feeling is completely in the range of normal for a person in his position. I had dreadful morning sickness during both pregnancies and let me say that there is no way on earth I would have had a third child. And that experience is light years away from what the oral cancer people go through. LIGHT YEARS. I know this is the best he can do for right now but it scares me so. Christine, I know, I know, I know. His healing depends on nourishment and there will be no makeup days. I'll call a friend of his today who had RT for oral cancer to enlist support. Thanks again all of you. I may not have specifically referenced your reply but I'm taking it all on board. Every single thing.
