Not able to eat regular food

MTBorz
MTBorz Member Posts: 2
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in late May. He went through radiation and chemo treatments through the end of July.  Now he has one more post chemo treatment (out of three). The additional treatment was delayed for about one month due to weight loss plus his inability to eat solids. Actually, he stopped eating regular food at end of June and nothing was done about it until I spoke up. He was referred to a GI specialist and after several tests (colonoscop, endoscopy, MRIs, ultrasound, etc) he is still in the same situation. Now he suffers of more bouts of nausea and vomiting that he did at the height of his treatment.  None of the prescription/OTC medications have done much. Also, he has developed anemia with feelings of frequent dizziness and lightheadedness. 

 I'm worried sick and frustrated. Has anyone gone through this experienc? Any suggestions as to what else can we do? Any ideas as how to rev up his appetite and alleviate some of the most debilitating symptoms?
Thank you.

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,482 Member
    edited October 2020 #2
    I'm With motorcycle guy

    After I finished treatment-numerous chemo and 35 radiation treatments it is a slow recovery process after treatment. I had a feeding tube and could swallow nothing for several months. You say he is not quite done with treatment so we hope he gets this in soon. This recovery is measured in weeks and months, not days and weeks it takes time. get with his team and try to get his nausea under control. Can he swallow? He should be connected to a speech therapist during this treatment most people are and if he is not swallowing maybe they can help him. Does he have a feeding tube or did they mention getting one? When I finally could swallow it is nutrient drinks like boost and others and maybe oatmeal or eggs something that slides down easy. Something thin or loaded with butter or gravy to help it along. Mashed potatoes are good for a start. You have to get plenty or as much food as possible in him as it helps you heal faster. Either way, get with your team I had a nurse navigator I could call for help and they will get you what you need. If he can swallow but is sick all the time he won't eat you will have to sort it out.Best of luck with everything-Take Care-God Bless-Russ

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 483 Member
    edited October 2020 #3
    MTBorz,

    I also had Nasopharyngeal Cancer treatment - but I finished 16 months ago. I had Cisplatin with Radiation, then Cisplatin and 5FU (Fluororocil?) follow ups.

    The good news, is that the treatment has appeared to have knocked out that NPC, so far.

    The bad news, is that it took me a few months to get back to where I could eat again, after treatment also.

    So - he's not necessarily in an unusual circumstance.

    Did he get a feeding tube? Does he still have it?

    For months after finishing treatment, all I could eat was eggs. Then, slowly, I added other foods to that. He will just need to start trying to eat soft, easy to swallow foods, and stay on the anti-nausea meds for a bit longer.

    I absolutely understand him wanting to get back to normal. It takes time. After about a year, I could eat just about anything, and I consider myself lucky now, in that food doesn't taste SO good, that I over-eat.

    If you'd like a little advice, PM me on here. It sounds like I might just be a year or so ahead of him - and I may be able to give you some support.

    Regardless, I wish you both all the best of luck - and I do believe he will ulitmately be just fine. He'll get it back!!

    mg

     

  • MTBorz
    MTBorz Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2020 #4
    motorcycleguy said:

    MTBorz,

    I also had Nasopharyngeal Cancer treatment - but I finished 16 months ago. I had Cisplatin with Radiation, then Cisplatin and 5FU (Fluororocil?) follow ups.

    The good news, is that the treatment has appeared to have knocked out that NPC, so far.

    The bad news, is that it took me a few months to get back to where I could eat again, after treatment also.

    So - he's not necessarily in an unusual circumstance.

    Did he get a feeding tube? Does he still have it?

    For months after finishing treatment, all I could eat was eggs. Then, slowly, I added other foods to that. He will just need to start trying to eat soft, easy to swallow foods, and stay on the anti-nausea meds for a bit longer.

    I absolutely understand him wanting to get back to normal. It takes time. After about a year, I could eat just about anything, and I consider myself lucky now, in that food doesn't taste SO good, that I over-eat.

    If you'd like a little advice, PM me on here. It sounds like I might just be a year or so ahead of him - and I may be able to give you some support.

    Regardless, I wish you both all the best of luck - and I do believe he will ulitmately be just fine. He'll get it back!!

    mg

     

    mg,

    mg,

    Thank you for your comments. I do need to know what to expect going forward.So happy you're doing well so far. 
    I'll keep trying to encourage my husband to eat food other than the Scadishakes. It's unfortunate about the nausea but the pills work. My husband is having his last follow up/additional chemo on Tuesday and in mid-December is having a follow up MRI. 
    Again, thank you for your support.

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 483 Member
    edited November 2020 #5
    MTBorz said:

    mg,

    mg,

    Thank you for your comments. I do need to know what to expect going forward.So happy you're doing well so far. 
    I'll keep trying to encourage my husband to eat food other than the Scadishakes. It's unfortunate about the nausea but the pills work. My husband is having his last follow up/additional chemo on Tuesday and in mid-December is having a follow up MRI. 
    Again, thank you for your support.

    MT,

    It's tough, I know - but keep him ingesting food by mouth as much as possible.

    When you're going through it, you feel it's a lost cause. But, slowly his sense of taste will come back, and the nausea will fade.

    I recall when I finished chemo, it was the toughest of times - and it hits just when you think it will all be over. But - the good news is that time will bring it back!

    Did he experience any hair loss? I lost a lot of blondish/brown hair - and it came back darker and curlier. I kind of like the new look - LOL!

    I wish you and your husband the best of luck. Keep his spirits up, and he'll be on his way to fine, in a couple months!

    mg

     

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