Recovery regarding TPN and feeding tube

Klingels
Klingels Member Posts: 78
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband is one week out from treatment for tonsilar cancer. He had 3 treatments of Cisplatin and 7 weeks of radiation. He has both TPN and a feeding tube. I am wondering if anyone else has had these as well and what to expect long range. He presently cannot swallow. 

Comments

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    edited July 2017 #2
    Long term feeding tube

    Husband now 6+ years on feeding tube, never had TPN.

    I cannot address your husband's ability to swallow at this early stage, but I can say that there are multiple treatments for swallowing post radiation.

    Husband regained limited ability to swallow small amounts of liquid, soft foods.  He gets about 90% of his calories from TwoCal, a complete diet for tube feeding.  He has done VERY WELL on this diet.

    I might add, I was eventually able to get insurance to cover nutrition as husband dependent on feeding tube.

    Wishing you both a speedy recovery,

    Crystal

  • soonermom
    soonermom Member Posts: 155
    #3
    PEG tube

    We are hoping to get his PEG tube out in a few weeks.  He is about 14 weeks post treatment.

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #4
    While, for now, I've refused

    While, for now, I've refused a feeding tube, I have met several people locally who went through my same treatment (sucessfully NED!) with a feeding tube and all had it removed within 2 months of the end of treatment. Some as early as 2 week and some 8 weeks.

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