#93984 04-21-2009 05:53 AM | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 476 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | OP  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 476 | Hi. Where to start - John is not the most compliant patient there is although watching him go through all this, I don't know that I would be either. John has lost 20 lbs and is down to around 153 lbs. He is 5' 9" tall. He is nauseas and gaggy from the mucus. He is taking Zofran and Compazine for the nausea. The home health agency delivered tons of supplies for the feeding tube 2 months ago including the pole with the Kangaroo pump. I tried to get him to use the slow drip and get 5 cans a day in but he refused to try that. I don't understand why because he doesn't leave the house except to go for doctor appointments. Over the weekend he only managed to get 2 cans of Osmolite in so yesterday I "gently suggested" he might want to try the pump.
My question is - what rate to set the pump at. He put 3 cans in and I'm not sure what rate is was at but it took 2 hours to go in. I thought this was to fast. He was up vomiting from 3am until 4:30am this morning. Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated. Wanda
Wanda (47) caregiver to husband John (56) age at diag.(2009)
1-13-09 diagnosed Stage IV BOT SCC (HPV+)
2-12-09 PEG placed, 7-6-09 removed
Cisplatin 7 weeks, 7 weeks (35) IMRT
4-15-09 - treatment completed
8-09,12-09-CT Scans clear, 4-10,6-11-PET Scans clear
4-2013 - HBO (30 dives) tooth extraction
10-2019 - tooth extraction, HBO (10 dives)
11-2019 - Left lateral tongue SCC - Stage 2
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 104 | Wanda when my husband started his tube feedings the rate started at 80ml/hr. Gradually increase the rate by 20ml. every 4 hours as long as he is tolerating it to a maximum of 120ml/hr. We ran the feed through the night so he didn't notice the length of time it was running so much. The dietician likely has told you how many cans a day is optimal for your husband. He should also have some water during the day too. I used to just let that run free of the pump. I know your husband will feel much better getting proper nu trition and it will certainly help his healing. Also if he is taking the feeds while in bed he should be propped up to a 30 degree angle or sleep in a recliner chair.PM me if any further questions.
Caregiver to husband Dx. Stage 4 SCC of gingiva with 3 nodes pos. Partial mandiblectomy with bone graft from iliac crest Dec. 2006. IMRT x30, Cisplatin x3. Completed Tx. March 15, 2007. Osteonecrosis & removal of graft & plate Oct. 2007. Recurrence of SCC Dec. 2007. Deceased Jan. 17, 2008.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Start at 20, then after a week move it to 30 and so on til he hits about 70. Then its ok to jump by 20. Eventually it can be set pretty fast like at 160 so it wont take so long. y very gradually increasing the rate it will make it easier for him to tolerate.
Another trick is to add a can of water, it helps with the nasuea and other digestion ailments that come from formula and pain meds. I used about 1 can water per 2 cans formula.
Very important if you do this overnight, prop him up on 2 or 3 pillows to sleep.
Any other questions about it, please ask. I went thru alot of problems and 3 different formulas before I got it right.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | |
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