After the Oncology appt Friday, we got home and my dad spiked a fever of 102.1-poor guy. Ended up in ER-all of his blood work fine-
They started oral Anitbiotics-and sent us home (per our requet)he is being admitted Monday for Chemo anyway.
Did any one else have transient fever spikes? It seems that when his pain control is bad-he shivers and spikes a temp. All of his labs are normal too-not dehydrated. He is most likely going for the PEG he has a question-are you able to at minimum rinse your mouth with the peg in?
We are hanging in there-at least he loves his water! Again, any additional tips great-he has a huge sore on his lip (amongst others) and it takes about 1 hour to get all of his pills in!
You are all my little angels-we thank you. :p

Sorry about your dad. While I cannot answer your question, I can say that the peg worked very well for my brother. He didn't lose much weight (maybe 5 pounds, which he needed to lose)and he recovered well. I only post this because I think the peg can be very helpful for some people, especially at helping them get the nutrients they need. Good luck to your dad! - Candace

hi Margo,

i had transient fever spikes. As long as they didn't last too long, the docs weren't really concerned. However there is some temp at which they get really concerned real fast. You need to be sure that your doc has informed you about that.

i was able to brush my teeth and rinse my mouth during the entire chemo/rad proceedure... but i quit eating during the first week and use my peg.

best wishes to your dad,
cu,
larryb

I guess it is Shawna,

The Problem I had during chemo was Neutropenic Fever. It is a failing of your first line infection defense and should not be taken lightly. I spent a week in MSKCC for it and you should not be doing an "at our request" if it is against medical advice, if it happens again (assuming you are covered). If they did not argue, fine. Just so it is clear, my fever went down in a few hours and I spent the week there. Just keep this in mind if it happens again. Search Google and check for the diet so you steer clear of problem foods.

On the PEG, we have some experts that will answer that. From what I understand you can find Jimmy Hoffa if you have one.

Glenn

Glenn, was your neutrophil count low? What is so confusing to us is that ALL of his blood work is STILL NORMAL-he is not currently neutropenic. They drew his labs at 2pm and AGAIN at 6pm-NORMAL. There was/is no hard evidence that he is having and infectous crises. (I know what -all of the labs mean-that's why there is so much confusion.)
The Salagen is making him sweat his guts out-I wonder if all of the stress and crap is just giving him the flu on top of it...
He is running a low grade temp of 99.5---
We deeply appreciate all of the input and advice-he is going through hell right now.

Hi Shawna,
The PEG,in my opinion, is now being used more often then not in radiation treatment for Oral Cancer. I had the PEG and, of course, feel it makes treatment easier and nutrition level higher. He can eat all he wants to with the PEG, it doesn't stop anyone from eating, just aids them if they cannot eat. I didn't eat from about the 3rd week on, but did sip water ALL day long.
I hope it get's easier for your dad.
Minnie

Shawna,

Yes it was, but it picked up very fast once I was in the hospital and receiving meds. They did insist on keeping me for nearly a week and put me on a special diet. All this while I felt and looked fine. I went back and looked at your first post and I now realize you have more medical knowledge than I. The post was prompted by the "at our request" statement and I wanted to highlight a real problem that can pop up during chemo. Go home when you can, stay in when you should. Your dad is just a few years older than me and he sounds like he should do well, give it time.

On Salagen, I have it but never used it. I looked at some material and I got the impression that it was intended for other causes of salivary function problems and that radiation problems were more of a crap shoot. I saw no real successes with it on here so I passed. If the bad out weighs the good, talk to the Oncologist about it. Maybe it is part of the problem (that would be a guess).

Again, just watch the fevers, 99.5 is only one degree under what I was told to call for. One thing I have learned during my 4 different cancers in 3 years, We can be our worst enemy when it comes to getting help.

Glenn

Hi --

The dental oncologist at Hopkins and our ENT (who had HNC and had radiation 15 years ago) are both quite enthusiastic about the newer Evoxac mediaction for salivary function. Our ENT says she uses it now before bedtime (she has very reduced saliva as she has the older radiation) and says for a few minutes, she drools like a St. Bernard but it keeps her mouth moist all night. She gave us some free samples so have them in reserve if Barry needs them (as I am sure he will).

Gail

In concerns over the PEG tube, its better to be safe then sorry. I still have mine and should get it out on the 18th of this month :-). I am eating everything under the sun and am not a bit sorry i got the tube. It saved my life and gave me the stregth to continue with the treatments by giving me the neutrients that i needed. In fact its nice to take meds through that taste nasty or that can trigger a gag reflex like MOM YUCK. But check with the pharmacy first and make sure you can get liquid or you can crush the meds you are taking (let your Dr. know you want to crush the meds and put through the tube and he can perscribe the right ones). There are ppl here that did without the tube but i couldnt have made it. It sounds like he is getting pretty bad sores in his mouth already and it wont get better anytime soon. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving even when its not being given.My mouth was very very sore a month to two after tx's were finished.i was finished at the middle of may and seemed like eternity till anything started to resemble healing. Keep him comfortable with pain management, and keep nutrition up and hydrated.Good luck and hope this info helps some.
Bob Grey

Hi Shawna,
I personally agree with Bob - better safe than sorry. Mom had her peg tube placed in 2 weeks ago. At first when it was suggested, I was scared to death, mostly due to the fact that 2 years ago when her twin had cancer (lung and lympoma) she had became neutropenic after her 1st chemo treatment long story short, they didn't place her tube in until 2 days before she passed away. I assosiated the tude with this.

Due to Moms inability to eat VERY FEW items, I can't stress the relief I feel with Mom having her peg tube. She has never been a water drinker and her weight was rapidly declining. With the tube, we not only can give her the nutrition she needs but also the water her body needs. We still haven't began treatment yet.

She is still allowed to eat/drink what ever she can handle (which is very little due to pain) but they do suggest that she does what she can by mouth before we do the feeding.

She had started drinking boost before the tube was place in and the doctors fell that helped her adjust easily to the tube feeding.

She currently is taking vicodon for pain and it does't seem to be doing that much for her. When the pain gets REAL intense, she takes a xanax which helps for the nerve pain especially in the tongue.

I hope and pray for the best for your Dad AND YOU!

Dee

Shawna
The fear of infection is a very real one. Pete was in hospital for dehydration and whilst there ended up with staph. Even tho I spent hours sanitizing and policing the room to make sure EVERYONE washed their hands etc. It took three weeks to get him out of there and he went home still very sick.
I also am a believer in the PEG. Even though Pete`s nausea was so severe that he was fed thru his port.
Taking meds via the PEG is so much easier than having to struggle the way your Dad is doing.

Take Care
Marica

The Peg has been keeping my husband alive since surgery in April and 33 rad tx's that ended July 8th. He is making an effort to eat by mouth, not with much success. He got the peg during the tumor surgery which eliminated another trip to the hospital. Amy

The fever thing can be interesting. Harry had fever the first chemo and it turned out to be neutropenia.

By the second chemo (they were once a month) he developed fever and they were never really sure why.

The third and forth chemos brought about an infection called c-diff which is an intestinal pathogen that is spreading like wildfire through hospitals. This created a fever with a spike in his white counts. We battled that beast 3 times (almost 8 weeks) before we managed to get it under control.

As for the PEG, Harry was stuborn and waited until just before the end of radiation to have his put in and only then because the RO told him it was no longer an option. It saved his scrawny butt for sure. He lost 40 pounds by the time we had it placed and while he did not gain any more weight with the tube he did maintain and I had an easier time getting the antibiotics in him to fight that infection.

We had the tube removed at the beginning of July so he only had it about 3 months. When it became a crutch I had it removed. He was not happy with me but he was not trying to eat and drink and the tube made giving in easy for him.

Everyone's experiences are different but from what I have read lately and talking to Harry's RO, PEG insertion prior to beginning rad tx is becoming protocol. If they had been more insistant with Harry, I doubt he would have suffered the weight loss he has. He fluctuates now a little 5 up and 5 down sometimes and I have him on muscle man shakes to supplement his protein and try to get some weight on him but he doesn't always drink them and won't let me fix them for him so his weight is not increasing.

Low grade fevers are not unusual. The doc told me to watch him and anything over 100.5 I was to call and 101 I was to take him straight to the hospital. We went back and forth many times and he had many hospital stays. As I learned my new nursing skills and got better at them I was able to do more at home and he didn't have to go to the hospital as much.

If you are ever in doubt about the fever, CALL the doc! They will know best what to do always.

Best to you,
Cindy

Hi Shawna,

Steve again. I also had fever spikes. 102 twice. I couldn't breath when I laid down to sleep. Found out I had to sleep sitting up for the duration because mucus was blocking my airway. Tylenol reduced the fever ASAP. Since I had breathing issues, they admitted me both times, but went home after a couple of days. The fever spikes are not unusual.

Steve

Steve, you're the best. Thank you. Sounds exactly like my pop. We are getting it...did they delay your treatment?
Glenn, thank you-every one else, thank you.

Peggy-peg tomorrow. I am nervous about that procedure.

; (