Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Paula, be patient. What he is experiencing now is pretty much SOP. Most all of us had our condition worsen for several weeks post Tx. The radiation keeps on working even though the beam(s) are "off". It IS very disconcerting for caregivers to watch. I lost over 60 lbs myself, and certainly my libido, for a time, but it ALL CAME BACK and is even better than before (I think that the body shuts off all unneccessary functions when in survival mode). I had nausea constantly and many bouts of thrush. I hold the record at UCSF for the amount of Diflucan I took. This is rather common also. Just take it one day at a time and stay in the now. get some counseling for yourself and take good care of yourself - eat well, get enough sleep, find diversions from cancer. It will pass. He will get better.
Many here have have better results with "Jevity" for PEG feeding and it is a prescription food so your insurance may even cover it.
I didn't have a PEG but some have suggested a slow, drip type gravity feeding, using a bag, might help mitigate the nausea somewhat. Sitting up while feeding may help also.
There are many anti-emetic drugs to choose from - talk to your MO about that. Keep that PEG tube flushed out and if giving any meds through the PEG, especially pills that you have to crush, insure that this is acceptable with the pharmacist. Some meds are time release and crushing them can cause an overdose.
I am going to move your thread to it's own place in "After Treatment Issues", so it doesn't get buried in Amy's thread.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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