At this point my sister can only eat oatmeal, poached eggs and Ensure because of such sensitivity and burning sensation with anything else. (She also weighs 90 pounds and is still dropping weight.) Does anyone have any suggestions for other liquid supplements (she is also taking liquid vitamin/minerals from her naturopathic physician) or foods that might help her GAIN weight and get more nutrition than her current diet? We hope a feeding tube isn't the only answer....

DenverSis, Welcome. I had a peg (feeding tube) and strongly recommend them as your sister needs her strength to fight this disease. When I was using my peg, I added Carnation Instant Breakfast to the drink and sent it down the tube as I couldn't stand the taste or consistancy and couldn't swallow anyhow. If you do a search on this site there have been a lot of discussions regarding diet and recipes for lots of drinks and slushes and milk shakes and such. With a tube you don't have to worry about it so much as you take in the calories through the peg. Hope this helps.

Denver Sis,

I had a PEG Installed and it was really no big deal. It solves a lot of problems with nutrition and hydration and is not really that much trouble. The problems that will occur with lack of nutrition and hydration in my opinion are much worse than the minor incomvienances I have experienced with my PEG. I'll be praying for you and your sis. God Bless.

Regards,
Fountain Valley Dale

Hi Sis, I had thrush (yeast) problems that caused burning in my mouth. I don't know if she has been checked for that (sometimes doesn't look like classic thrush after radiation either)

as for other eating ideas read some of the recent posts here or search the site. We have had Many conversations about eating.

Thanks to Kirk and FVDale for your encouragement on the PEG. We'll see what this week's appointments & recommendations hold, as we will be choosing an oncologist. (You would think this was all new to us, but actually my sister has had 3 surgeries since '97 with the same ENT, as well as a series of 2 radiation treatments, and has never seen an oncologist.) We really feel the need for a primary care physician, so hopefully while I'm in town we can get that arranged. Your positive thoughts and prayers are much appreciated and we send our prayers back for you.
Bless you all..

denverSis,

re food and keeping weight on, read the latest thread on this in the "currently in treatment" forum under the topic "Any idea's on how to keep the weight on?"

re peg tube, it can be very helpful if your sister is not able to get sufficient nutrition through the mouth. the trick is to not entirely give up exercising the facial and oral muscles though as muscle atrophy is possible particularly for people who've got the tube for many months (this has happened to my sister). the physical therapist in your medical facility should be able to help with that.

best wishes for you and your sister.

gita

Hi Sis,

An option to Ensure is TwoCal HN. I believe TwoCal HN has 450 calories. I've not found any other supplement that has more calories. I've not been able to find it at the grocery store, so we order it through a medical supply company. Check with the hospital, they should be able to direct you to a source.
Best wishes.
D

My husband had trouble getting enough BoostPlus in him, so the nutritionist prescribed Nutren 2.0. It came from the local NeighborCare and had 500 calories a can. That way he only had to get at least 4 in a day.

Hope this helps and God bless,
Debbie