Katy, forgive me for being intrusive but I am going to add my voice to BrianPK's and urge you to get a PEG. I am worried about you. Things are about to get a lot harder, and choking and nausea can't be overcome with any measure of willpower.

Extra weight does not protect you from a potentially fatal nutritional crisis.

I had plenty to lose but a week AFTER treatment, I was hospitalized for 8 nights with complications secondary to malnutrition. I had been unable to keep food down for 32 days and was in serious condition. They tried an NG tube, but within hours I vomited so violently that I discharged the tube. They installed a PEG as an emergency procedure, but I couldn't even keep PEG feedings down. So they installed a PIC line and fed me intravaneously until I stabilized. By then my potassium, blood salts etc. were so compromised that my heart and kidneys were at risk. It is an extremely dangerous situation.

Another serious consequence is that patients in nutritional crisis are often unable to complete their treatments.

The PEG is a temporary measure that can be a lifesaver. You will lose weight anyway, but you will do it safely and without risking your treatment. Please think about it!

If you do nothing else, please ask for a referral to the cancer center's nutritionist. Tell him/her exactly what is happening and ask for help.

Lynn

53
T3N2aM0 HPV+
5/26/13 discovered painless superball-sized lymph node in neck
6/26/13 DX SCC R palatine tonsil
7/16/13 TORS tonsillectomy & selective ND, mets to 2 nodes
9/3/13 Cisplatin and rads begin, tolerated 1.5 of 3 planned chemo doses
10/16/13 Treatment ends
Dec 13 Ulcer appears at surgery site
Jan 17 Biopsy -- no cancer!
Feb 17 CT/PET Scan lights up tonsil bed & nasal cavity, docs say probably inflammation, don't panic, rescan when ulcer subsides