Things haven't been going too well. First week of treatment and feeding tube placement ended in ER. My husband suffered continual hiccups: with only ten minutes respite, thought it was the feeding tube placement, but actually caused by the chemo! The Oncologist stopped a medication he was given just before chemo and that seemed to have solved the problem. Second week, what we expected. Third week, after radiation and chemo, my husband had a massive heart attack, he is fine now (due to the attention of our police and paramedics who managed to keep things under control) and hopefully, will be discharged Sunday. He had a mild heart attack almost two years ago, (fourth of July weekend) and his cardiologist reckons that the cancer causes the blood to clot, which in this case brought on the heart attack and caused a previous stent to collapse as well. He followed what his cardiologist said to the letter - lost over 35lb, excercised 4-5 times a week. (Up until now, as they didn't want him to loose any more weight.) Has anyone out there had a the same experience?

My husband has almost given up on eating, everything hurts, any suggestions would be appreciated. (I didn't expect it to be this bad so soon.) Because of the heart attack, he cannot eat Ice Cream which he fancied tonight, he settled for Jello (Jelly) instead and only ate a very small amount.

He his having problems with mucas at the back of his throat. I made a mouthwash suggested by the radiologist and that has helped no end. It comprises of 1 quart of water, add one teaspoon of salt and baking soda (powder), shake well. It seems to help shift it!

I am dreading the next four weeks! Up to now, nothing has gone as we expected.... or told, any suggestions would be appreciated, I am so afraid he will say he has had enough!

Irene

I'm sorry for the rough time you and your husband are having. I can't tell you how important that I believe it is to not give up yet. I know these things can be discouraging but I believe he can do it. I just finished my treatments 2 weeks ago and I still feel a little rough but it's getting better. I am praying for you and your husband, hang in there and some one will post that can give you more info on similiar experience soon. Lee

Irene, you all are having a tough time- the heart attack sounds really frightening. Now that he is hopefull stablized, the peg tube will come into good use in keeping him hydrated and nourished. If you can accomplish those 2 things, he will have the energy to keep fighting. Do you have family around to support you? You will need to take care of yourself to help him get through these next weeks. Keep posting and best wishes. Amy in the Ozarks.

Irene- Hang in there- This tough time is for a short amount of time and then you are home free! Dig deep in your reserve of strength - you can do it!

Thanks everyone. He was discharged yesterday, still feeling pretty rough, but ready to tackle this week's treatment. He is using his feeding tube, but it makes him feel terribly sick but will keep trying. His cardiologist has told us that the chances of him having another heart attack is none existant, which is good news. We will keep on hanging in there!

Irene

Doris - if the mucas gets any worse and is causing him to vomit (which happened to my husband) look into the rental of a portable suction machine. We were able to get it through the hospital and the insurance paid for the rental. It is portable and he carried it everywhere - My you have been through a lot. Take care and take care of you, too.

Marty

Hi, Doris, In what amounts and how fast is he putting things down the peg? What nutrition are youall using? Is his stomach sensitive to hot or cold? [ there were times that I thinned John's 2cal with warm water and we just took our time pouring it in, we did not use force] He did not like cold stuff hitting his stomach. Glad youall are home. Take care. Amy in the Ozarks