Peg Tube

Dd333,

Now you will see how the PEG half eat. Usually, I would hangém high on fast drip and take a nap.

You sound somewhat normal and your humor is still intact.

Remember when you thought the rash caused by Erbitux to be too much?

Drink lots of water.

Matt

Hello DarkDancer !

Sorry to learn that your condition is causing you to get a peg tube.  HOWEVER, I have had 2 peg tubes (still have one due to surgery

complications) and have had NO PROBLEMS at all with either one.  There is some pain for a few days after the insertion of

the tube.   

The tube will enable you to easily get badly needed nutrition and calories.   Keep sipping on water, or whatever you can drink.

I'll cross my fingers that your tube use is as easy as mine.

Jan

DarkDancer,

I am sorry you are dealing with the dreaded mucous! I remember it well. So weird but the one thing I liked was tiny (really tiny) sips of carbonation. I felt like the carbonation broke up some of that mucous. Sometimes I just used plain soda water due to everything else tasting terrible and sometimes I could hand coke.  I too had a PEG and honestly it was a lifesaver!! Your belly will be a tiny bit sore for a few days where they insert but then you will be fine with it. I ended up having to use a pump with my PEG because I just needed a really slow rate for the fluids. But I would either just lay back and sleep while I "ate" or I'd watch TV, and usually fall asleep haha. 

Let us know if you have any questions! Happy PEG-ing!

The PEG saved my life. I fought and fought determined not to have a feeding tube. My body was begining to shut down and I was told I have no other choice. The PEG turned my body around. The body must have nourishment during chemo and radiation. I had no issues with my PEG. Ihavehad one twice now.

Dd333,

The first and most important information I received from this forum (before) the radiation and Erbitux applications started (I already had my tongue, lymph node operation) was to DRINK LOTS OF WATER DAILY AND SWALLOW OFTEN.  I did just that, I worked at it all day long and afternoon long and evening long, every waking hour of the day.  I probably averaged 10 glasses of water (and  other fluids) daily.  Many sipps become a gulp and gulp can be a mouthful of cancer fighting refreshment.  It is good to continually flush out the poisons they are giving you, especial those H&N patients which opt for the platinum based chemo.  Flush your system!

Like I said earlier, I had 2 PEG’s. One very bad (it did not work worth Jack S _ _ _)!  Itt would put tears in my eyes to try to use it and it was replaced by my #2 PEG a very friendly tube, who always worked, caused no infections, or ugly oozing.  I used it on  and off from week 4 (I guess) to the end of treatment and I had it popped at 2 weeks post.  I drank by mouth one meal a day (everyday) and was (in hind sight) a very good applicant for NO PEG (go figure, who knew).  I guess the majority of the H&N candidates passing through my cancer treatment doors were leaning PEG (I was not).

Anyway, it worked, I had it removed and gave it to the homeless, where it has started its next life in the woods, north of town by the railroad tracks.

Oh boy the sun is peeking  out, I must go out and welcome it to our back yard.  We had 4 bunnies jumping around.

Matt

phillyboy said:

peg tube

Finally got my peg tube out today. I think I was using it as a crutch for too long. It was  easier than I expected. I hope others will have same experience . Still no saliva post radiation 9 months but some taste and use water, gravy and apple sauce to wash some foods down. Remaining optimistic. Dry mouth has been a very  frustating experience for me.

What foods are you eating ?  I would like to try more than I'm eating right now and am looking for suggestions.

I can't eat eggs or many foods that contain eggs (like mayo and many salad dressings).

Jan

when you are using the PEG, remember that if you have to laugh, cough or sneeze, that you'll need to close the belly clamp before you do.  I didn't the first time I used it and the sneeze drove a lot of my just imbibed meal back up and out of the tube.  I was sitting in a recliner in our family room at the time. I thought we'd gotten it all cleaned up but 18 months later I was painting the ceiling in that room and found several dots of dried 'formula'.  I laughed about it at the time, but closing that clamp is one of the things that most 'instructions' neglect to mention!

seem to break down often.