Hullo Everyone
Thanks to this excellent information source I usually find answers and don't need to bother you all with questions.
But now I'm worried about friend who finished 8 weeks of radio 10 weeks ago. He was blasted on both sides following tonsillar diagnosis and removal.
He's flatly refused a PEG and struggles on existing on teaspoons of custard etc. The weight is dropping off obviously..but what most concerns me is that there seems to be no sign of any improvement. I now it takes up to a year to feel near "normal"...but surely after this time he should notice some change in pain and swallowing problems. He's been very strong up to now refuses any help or visits etc. but I sense depression setting in. We talk several times a day and I'd welcome any reassurance that he's doing 'as well as can be expected'.
Thank you in advance for your kindness,
with every good wish
small minnow

Minnow
Surely his Doc`s are taking notice of his weight loss? He will find it very hard to get better with the small amount of calories and nourishment he is able to take in. He is obviously one stubborn Englishman..I know what you are dealing with, I am married to one , an Englishman that is! Have you seen The Drink recipe ? lots of calories and easy to get down, even though it might take him all day.
1 tblspoon Carnation
1 tblspn Ovaltine
1 pkg Carnation instant breakfast
1/2cup whole milk
1/2cup half and half
2 cups ice cream.

He must get more food in his system than he is presently taking.. if he does not have one , get him a liquidizer if he cannot tolerate anything more solid than custard.
Just show up with it .. hopefully he wont be rude enough not to let you in.
Depression is not unusual at any time throughout the treatment process, a lot of times they feel worse after treatment is over, physically and mentally.
Hang in there with him Minnow , he needs you even though he won`t admit it.
Marica

Hi Minnow,

There's nothing magical about the amount of time that passes after treatment before a body starts to feel better. Part of the process of recovery is the body rebuilding itself - and this takes nourishment! My fear is that your friend is prolonging the recovery process by denying himself the nutrition that he needs.

Can he swallow well enough to down a few cans of liquid nourishment (Boost, etc.) per day? If he could get 6-8 cans into his system, his recuperation would likely accelerate.
Best, Sheldon

He sounds like what I went through. I also refused a PEG and dropped over 60 lbs as a consequence. I also went into a depression during a several month period following treatment (which is pretty much SOP). It took me nearly a year and a half to get back to 80% of what I was physically after treatment. I'm still working on the last 2% 25 months out. And yes, it's pretty much predictable what he is going through. The meds can make one delusional and confrontational at times - try not letting it get to you - it's not personal.

I really didn't want much company when I was bottoming out. It took a while until I would let people see me that way, besides it hurt to talk.

Progress in the post Tx for several months is measured in three week increments. Recovery is a very slow process.

He can try Carnation Instant Breakfast and milkshakes as well - that helped me to keep some weight on (I personally HATED the taste of Boost & Ensure).

If he is going to do Ensure, buy the Ensure Plus. Its 360 calories as opposed to 200. Vanilla, Coffee and Butter Pecan are the flavors I liked, the rest were awful. Boost made some tasy chocolate flavors but were only in the 200 calorie range. Right now the more calories per swallow, the better. I did not have the milkshake recipe, but that is a winner. You can vary that in a million ways. Nutrition is very important for healing. They also put me on Zinc, Vit C & E, and a multivitiamin to help promote healing. Ask before staring anything like this. That 1997 and things chnage.

Take care,
Eileen

You can also go with Scandishakes. They were recommended by my Dentist who specializes in oncological denistry and is affiliated with a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Those babies ring in at a hopping 600 calories per 8 ounce serving (Holy fat!). You can really only buy them online and they are expensive.

Tim

You could try talking to a nutristionist at the hospital, I had a team that worked in the community and a telephone number I could call office hours, I poured everything I could, down my PEG, if you don't put in the nutrition the body has nothing to heal itself with. The drinks supplied by the NHS can be swollowed as well as being put down the PEG, they are available on presciption, some taste better than others, but they are a complete diet of calories, and vitamins ect... Mail me if you want more info, I'll help if I can.
Sunshine...love and hugs
Helen

Helen thank you for taking the time to reply. Everyone is so helpful on this site and I'm surprised that so few in the UK seem to use it. I hope you're well down the recovery route now. I know it's a slow process and it's painful for all involved. I care about my friend so much yet there's nothing i can do. Thanks again x