Nancy,
I was able to do a more extensive seach and found the recipe that I was looking for.

Thank you for the information!
Kim

Kim, The "old timers" here will regret me posting it here again but you can put ANY meal in a blender and make it liquid. It is how I got through the radiation.

Take care.

PS did your father get radiation?

Kim,
I also had a total laryngectomy and a neck dissection a few years back. They initially put me on a soft food diet and them increased what I was allowed to eat each week as my swallowing got better. I have a TEP. Is that what he has? I found I could speak after about 8 days, but had all sorts of problems with it either not opening (speech guy forgot to give me braush to clean it), or it staying open and drowning me. I went through 3 prosthesis in the first month.

Anyway, I found that after about three weeks, I could eat most things and to my delight, if there is anything good that can be said about losing one's larynx, I found that I could again eat many things that choked me after I had radiation.

Here's hoping he has a swift recovery. If you have any questions I can help you with, please email me.

Eileen

Quick question, and this is just from reading other people's posts -- could the dramatic weight loss be from thyroid problems? Just curious as I've heard other people comment on that here... I know radiation can do numbers on your thyroid, especially after 18 months or so...

Mark,
My father had radiation and chemo for his cancer three years ago so the doctors are reluctant to do it again. However it is my understanding that they are considering it.

Eileen,
Your post comes at a perfect time. My Father just started on liquids/soft foods two days ago and was supposed to be eating "anything that he wants" in 1-2 weeks.

I've just learned that today at the re-hab hospital they gave him solid foods. He couldn't swallow it and has become discouraged.

He does have a TEP and is having a hard time learning to talk. (He just received it two days ago.) I'll print your response and give it to him on Saturday. I'm sure that it will be encouraging to him!

Thank you for offering to help if I have any questions!

AsTarHeel,
I've assumed that the weightloss has been from not being able to eat properly for several months. Prior to the diagnosis, he couldn't eat much of anything. Not sure why the doctors weren't concerned... it's been a trying few months to say the least.

Thank you all for your suggestions!
Kim

What kind of neck gear, if any, have they given your father to wear? Besides the TEP sticking closed, I find the hands-free valves impossible to use, but haven't given the latest one a good chance. I order supplies from both ATOS and Inhealth. I use the ATOS HIFLOW value which means you need to use one hand to close value. They also make an adhesive that can be used on sensitive skin. Expensive but I was able to use it after about 3 weeks. If too soon for that, Inhealth has foam stoma covers which help keep things moist. Inhealth also makes a very good shower value ($15) that comes with a plate and adhesives. Let me know if you need details on these. Both have web sites but I call in orders. Supplies ae covered by insurance. There are otehr suppliers, I just don't know the names off the top of my head.

I did my cuperating at the Jersey shore so had lots of humidity. Get a humidifier and a humidistat(Bed,Bath &B) to keep air moist if not near water.

For some strange reason, after having becoming a total laryngectomee, I was terrifed of everything. Fearful, that I would stop breathing and not be able to talk to tell someone I needed help. I bought a big bell so I could call my husband if he was out of earshot or I couldn't talk. It took about 8 weeks before I was willing to let my husband out of my sight. I outgrew most if it but it took a crisis this year to get me on airplane by myself again. So he may be experiencing some of this. Losing your ability to communicate is very frightening and frustrating. Showering is a whole new experience. Also realize that he probaly can't smell at all. I can still smell some, but am a real danger in the kitchen.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Eileen

Eileen,
I've printed your posts and will share them with my Father when I see him tomorrow.

I've just learned that they have taken him back to the ER because he can't swallow and his neck is swelling.

It seems as if he takes two steps forward and three steps backwards. Is this normal? I'm trying to remain positive but it's so scary at times. I guess I expected a little bit of this but it seems like progress is moving very slowly. Is this normal? (Whatever "normal" is!)

Thank you for your insight!
Kim

A quick trip back to the Scandishake....after radiation, there was a point when my Scott could only drink Scandishakes because of thrush issues, so I started putting 1/2 cup of Hagendaaz icecream in the blender with the milk and the shake mix--made a nice 1,000 calorie shake.

Christine

Kim,

I'm only one person so I don't know what 'normal' is. I personally had no swelling or swallowing problems or other setbacks from the surgery.

On the weight loss. Did they also do a partial thryroidectomy at the same time they removed the voice box? If so, get his TSH level checked NOW. Normal is between .4 and 5.5. I was at 32 a month after my surgery, eating everything in sight and not gaining a pound. Also took forever to get the dosage adjusted to the correct amount to get me back to my pre-radiation level of 2.5 to 2.8.

Keep us posted on how he is doing.

Eileen