Coping in Texas
Member
Member # 3772

posted February 22, 2007 06:09 PM
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Hello Everyone - this will be lengthy as I am very tired and spent...no one seems to understand but this message board. My husband, Jim has finished his radiation therapy a week ago. You would think I would be ecstatic, but I'm not. His condition has worsened. We went yesterday for the feeding tube - he is a large man - 6' 1", weighing in at 270 when we started this. Now he weighs in at 230...you would think that would be enough to sustain him, but he is unable to control the nausea and yeast infections. I spent all day in the hospital w/ him getting the feeding tube and then they sent us home without instructions...other than see your Dr. tomorrow. So, our Dr.'s nurse flushed the tube with water, showed us how to flush food thru the tube. When I asked what food, then she said to see the nutritionist...It has been 3 days since he has had any nutrition and other than the fluid IV's we'll probably be in the ER this weekend again getting fluids. I called the nutritionist, she's out sick, so his radiation nurse said to give him Boost...well, we have been doing a can over the past 2 hrs. and he has thrown it all up...I'm so emotionally drained right now that I cannot imagine another day of this. My H is not being whiny or complaining, but he is very private and since we have been married (a whopping 4 months - yes months), he has had to reveal so much of the bodily functions not to mention what it has done to his male ego. I am just rattling right now as everything that is posted on this board is what is happening - only his nausea and yeast infections seem to be more prevalent than most. Thanks to everyone for posting so much personal info. on this message board..it really helps.

Paula
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Posts: 3 | From: Texas | Registered: Dec 2006 | IP: Logged

Gary
Administrator
Member # 457

posted February 23, 2007 12:54 AM
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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 moved your thread to it's own place in "After Treatment Issues", so it doesn't get buried in Minniea's thread.

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Gary Allsebrook
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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, x33(69.96cGy)

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Posts: 2190 | From: San Francisco CA | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged