Caregiver-question about husband 8 weeks post radiation for tongue cancer
My husband is 8 weeks post radiation after having 37 treatments and 5 chemo treatments for a tumor on his tongue. He seems to be in more pain now than weeks ago. He is on a Fent. patch, gabapentin, and 30 ml of oxy every 4 hours. He has lost 65 pounds and currently does not have a feeding tube. He is very nauseated and seems to feel it is due to the oxy. His medication was changed today and he will be substitutuing dilaudid for the oxy. Has anyone had any experience with this?
He can only eat milkshakes, and I've gotten very good at making hight calorie shakes due to the Boost HC and the Benecalorie (both items I have gotten from suggestions on this site, so thank you so much!). The dr. seems like it is not "ok" to get a peg tube AFTER the treatments ended. I am so worried that he is getting too thin. He is 6'2'' and weighs 187 right now. Mostly skin and bones...
If he loses any more weight, should I insist on a peg tube? He is only drinking the shakes and can't seem to find anything else he can eat.
Thank you. I have learned so much from reading all of the entries. God Bless all of you going through treatment as well as the caregivers.