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#109242 12-23-2009 10:18 PM
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Pam M Offline OP
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Wow - PEG being placed early Christmas Eve. I'm very nervous now, and can't relax. Have read here that lots of people here think bolus syringe not the preferred feeding method - gravity and pump preferred. When I asked my nutritionist about it today, was told syringe would be recommended for me. Has anyone had experience with more than one method? Can't believe I'm this nervous about a "routine" procedure. Merry Christmas


44 at 10-26-2009 Dx; SCC, T2N2b, St.IV BOT; Rt. Tonsil out; PET 11-12-09 (3 spots); 3 rds Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5-FU started 11-19-09; PEG 12-24-09; 7 wks chemo-rads done 03-16-10. 06-28 CT/PET watching 1 node; PEG out; 11-15 CT - larger; 11-23 PET activity up; mrdc 12-21; 04-01-11 CLEAN SCANS! ; March 2018 new SCC - Meet with surgeon 4-4-18
Pam M #109283 12-24-2009 03:42 PM
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Pam,

Any procedure is nerve racking when you don't know what to expect. My husband did bolus syringe and gravity feedings. Both worked. The syringe feedings at times were difficult b/c it caused him to be a bit nauseated. The gravity feeding was much slower and he tolerated it better. In the middle of treatment he would use the gravity feeding in bed or while he watched T.V. For my husband, the PEG really helped. We used it to hydrate at night while he slept when he was having a hard time getting fluids down orally. I would get the syringe and also have the gravity bags available to use. You'll know by trying it out which method of feeding is best for you. We didn't use the pump although they provided us with it.

Best wishes for the holidays and we wish the best for you.

Vanessa


Jeff age 49 DX 5/8/09 Tonsil cancer T2N2BMO. Tonsillectomy 5/14/09. TX: Cisplatin 3x's every 21 days w/ 33 Rad concurrent. 2-3 nodes on right neck affected. PEG 7/10/09. Chemo/rad start 6/12/9, TX finished 7/28/09. Extended TX
3 more chemo/Cisplatin/5FU/Docetaxil start 9/11, Clean PET 10/29/09.
Watt #109285 12-24-2009 03:44 PM
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Pam,

I forgot to say that you will have a syringe no matter what since you have to clean out your PEG tube with water using the syringe after each feeding.


Jeff age 49 DX 5/8/09 Tonsil cancer T2N2BMO. Tonsillectomy 5/14/09. TX: Cisplatin 3x's every 21 days w/ 33 Rad concurrent. 2-3 nodes on right neck affected. PEG 7/10/09. Chemo/rad start 6/12/9, TX finished 7/28/09. Extended TX
3 more chemo/Cisplatin/5FU/Docetaxil start 9/11, Clean PET 10/29/09.
Watt #109298 12-24-2009 08:18 PM
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Best wishes for a smooth procedure. It may be sore for a day or two after.

I was someone who had to use the pump. Make sure you ask for it. The bolus and gravity methods of feeding didnt work at all for me. They both made me nauseous.

As Jeff said, you will need syringes to flush the tube. It must be flushed at least once daily. I use my peg to take meds and flush it good afterwards. Thats one bonus to having a peg tube, dont force pills down a sore throat.


Happy Holidays smile


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
ChristineB #109310 12-25-2009 04:24 AM
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Pam, One other important thought. Although the doctors have hopefully emphasized , you must keep swallowing when using the PEG.
Jeff kept water by his side at all times. Food or liquid even It will be easy to want to only use the PEG but even if it hard to swallow it is important to keep doing so even if it is just sips of water.

As Christine mentions. It is great for meds and not having to force pills down a very sore throat and mouth.


Vanessa


Jeff age 49 DX 5/8/09 Tonsil cancer T2N2BMO. Tonsillectomy 5/14/09. TX: Cisplatin 3x's every 21 days w/ 33 Rad concurrent. 2-3 nodes on right neck affected. PEG 7/10/09. Chemo/rad start 6/12/9, TX finished 7/28/09. Extended TX
3 more chemo/Cisplatin/5FU/Docetaxil start 9/11, Clean PET 10/29/09.
Watt #109359 12-26-2009 08:56 AM
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A good way to make sure that the patient is swallowing each day is to put a bottle of water or Gatorade by the favorite chair or bedside and "suggest, push, prod, force, etc." the patient to finish it by the end of day. That way you have a good measurement of how often he/she swallows each day. I had a good compliant patient in Bill but even so, it was very painful for him to do this....but, so important. It paid off as he was eating and drinking by mouth within a week of finishing treatments. (YMMV)

Deb


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill

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