Most of you know, I am on a Peg/G tube for the remainder of my days here on planet earth. I recent months I have gotten off of "ENSURE", by utilizing my food processor and blender.
Anything (Meat, Potatoes) can be liquified and ingested through your tube. I prepare my partially (Liquid) meals, days in advance with the food processor to the consistency of gooseliver patee. Then as required I place the Patee in the add liquid, usually broth and in minutes you are ready to feed yourself.
Remember anything, and I mean anything can be liquified. Today I prepared Barbqued rib meat utilizing my 7cup food processor and slowly adding canned vegetables with liquid until I reach the consistancy desired.
Darrell

Hey, Darrell, good to hear you are doing well! I am curious as to how your weight is holding? Keep on keeping on! Amy

Darrell,

Good to hear you have mastered the blender thing. I am wondering, based on your stated Tx, why you are on the tube forever? Did you have surgery the 2nd time around? How were you treated? I am fairly new to OC but trying to understand as much as I can.

Thanks,

I am one of those unlucky individuals whose epiglottis was severly damaged by radiation (malshaped). Everything I try to swallow, I aspirate, I cannot take a swallow of water. I use artificial saliva mixed with biotene mouth wash, in a spray bottle, to keep the interior of my mouth moist. I label my spray bottle OPS (other peoples spit) it fits into a shirt pocket, amd I use it frequently. When I first contracted cancer, I was a fatty, weighing in at a super-obese 370 pounds. I was adicted to food. I now weigh 192 pounds. My waist size at my largest was 58", now I wear a comfortable 38. I continue to loose fat but I have increased my (balanced) protien intake to burn the fat and add muscle. I am 62 yeras old so I can't have a 40 year old body. But now that I am in remission I feel good and try to excercise as much as possible for a senior.
Love
Darrell

Darrell,

Sorry that you were unlucky but hey your still posting, so that's a good thing.

Is the damage to the epiglottis rare? Did they explain why you and not all others?

I found Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC which is a balanced supplement that has a whopping 560 cals per 8 ozs. It helped me a lot during the weeks after Tx (that's when I found it) because it cut down the amount I had to swallow to reach my caloric goal. It will cut down your feeding time as well. I still use it once a day.

Hang in there and your not a senior yet. My mother-in-law is 78 and if I called her a senior she would come after me. (with her cane...just kidding, LOL)

Darrell,

I have read on here of others having the same problem of damage to the esophagus & swallowing problems. They had it dilated and or some other procedure and have been able to swallow again. Is this not possible for you?

I am trying to remember who had it done. It seems to me there were 2 that I read. I think Nelie was one of them? Someone had to have it reopened from the mouth & going up the tube area as well.
Maybe you have already researched this.

I just had my esophagus dilated 2 weeks ago. It had scare tissue in a web form and it would move up & down. It was hard for the technicians to see & almost missed it. That would explain why I was chocking off and on. I had my tube removed in August.

I wish there was something that can be done for you. There has got to be something?

Take care,
Diane