| | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 123 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 123 | Ken had IV fluids on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and again today. He got 2 liters yesterday and today and has been good using his feeding tube for additional liquids and can't seem to stay hydrated. He was in the ER today for the IV and they did a chest x-ray, urine sample and blood tests and everything came back ok except for the dehydration. He has has 4 of his 7 chemo treatments and 19 of his 35 rad treatments and is taking in 4-6 cans of nurishment in his PEG tube or drinking them. Has anyone else experienced this much dehydration even with IV fluids on so many days?
Jill..CG to Ken, age 43,mom of 1yr old girl.
DIAG:12/9/10 SCC BOT T4N0M0 HPV+
START:1/3/11 IMRT dailyX35 and 7 chemo
END:2/23/11 PEG IN:1/15/11 Out:4/26/11
CT/MRI 4/25/11-marked improvement CT 6/11 new spots
BX 6/23-cancer present
Total Glossectomy sched 7/20/11
7/19/11 Ken's suffering ended
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | The minimum water daily while going thru treatment is 48 oz. How much water is he consuming? Getting 4 - 6 cans of formula isnt enough fluids. He also needs the minimum of 48 oz daily, even more is better! This is very important in order to flush the chemo out of his body. The minimum calories daily are 2500, more are better. Even 3000 calories is ok. How many calories is he getting daily? His body is fighting with everything it has which makes it burn up extra calories and fluids trying to kill the cancer. Without good nutrition and hydration he will feel awful. Dehydration can happen very quickly and can lead to being hospitalized. It happened to me so I try to warn others so they can avoid this from happening to them.
It is also very important to drink every single day. Even if his throat gets very sore, he still needs to swallow to keep those muscles active. He should be opening his mouth open as wide as possible and holding it for several second. Repeat sets of these exercises a few times per day to prevent bigger problems later with trismus.
Best of luck with everything.
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Also check into Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC as it has 560 calories in that same 8oz can and that shortens the dreaded feeding time.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | If you purchase the Carnation VHC, use the Amazon link on the main forum pages. Its a green box right below Calendar and Active Topics headings. This will give back to OCF a small kickback. Use it on all yoru Amazon purchases to help keep OCF up and running. Carnation VHC is thick so you will want to add water. Ive used many many cases of this, it works!
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | You do not need to add water if you plan to drink it directly from the can and please make sure he continues to swallow each and every day. In fact IMO he should only use the tube when it's necessary, not out of convenience.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | I am one that needed a feeding tube during chemo/radiation treatments and also again after a major surgery. I agree with what David is saying about the tube. Its there as a back up. Swallowing every single day is very important. The muscles can quickly 'forget' how to work and that will cause bigger issues down the road. Even though I depended on the tube for my nutrition, I still drank water every day several times per day. I would also try to eat on top of using the feeding formula. We do understand how difficult it is going thru treatments. With these pointers it will be easier for him to get thru this. Best wishes with Ken's treatments.
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I still drink at least 4 1.5 liters of water a day. Makes the feet hurt from running so much the that small spring room but makes the body feel better.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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