Concerned for my (love) Bucket

The Cincinnati Kid said:

Nice....I'm sure its

Nice....I'm sure its different for everybody but I'm almost done with treatment and my rad doc says for most patients doing the same thing (33 rad treatments / 3 chemos) things in the mouth started to return to fairly normal or at last start improving, in the 3-4 week range so I'd say your timing is good. That said, I didnt have it on the toungue so get some more opinion

I like to report back to Bucket that other people felt better in certain time periods so each time it encourages him.

wbcgaruss said:

I Do Not

Have any particular advice for your situation of tongue cancer although I had tongue cancer but it was mitigated with a small operation and getting clear margins. But I and others on here can comment on rads and chemo. But lean on your medical team for anything going on out of the ordinary and for that matter any questions at all. I am glad for him that he can still eat and I agree it can change daily but he may get to the point of using a feeding tube only for awhile. It's great he has a power port, I had one during my first cancer and they are certainly convenient and a vein saver. He may go through a lot of things like constipation, diarrhea, mouth sores from rads, and many other things. He will probably be very tired if not now later. Watch around his skin for redness or irritation from the rads and use Aquaphor or other creams to soothe it but wash it off before the next radiation. I had something else going on in my mouth with white patches during treatment that I took antibiotics for I think they called it thrush. Also, I would recommend you check out the Superthread at the top of the page in our H & N section as it is loaded with info and advice. Here is the link to it--  https://csn.cancer.org/node/261072

Wishing you folks the best-Take care-God Bless-Russ

I went to the store and bought products for diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores because he got it all. Poor Bucket!

I get thrush from my lung cancer nebulizer treatment and I like to just use Hydrogen Peroxide so he can use that too. Just let it bubble until it fills your mouth!

Then go get a rabies shot for foaming at the mouth.

Thank you for the link.

You are kind.

motorcycleguy said:

Kim,

My girlfriend mixed up salt, baking soda and water - and if I used that several (12?) times a day - it seemed to work pretty well for keeping my mouth OK.

I don't know if that's applicable to your situation, but I see a lot of people on here who have had good luck with that.

It's a tough fight - and I'm 100% sure he's glad you're in it with him!

Hang in there - you'll be finished and looking back on this, before you know it...

mg

Thanks MG it turns out that they suggest

1 quart H20+1 teaspoon salt+1 teaspoon baking soda.

That works and I have it mixed up for him to use when needed.

Bucket is throwing away cans of chunky soup left and right. He says nothing tastes good and everything has a platinum taste. I have to agree that some of them have a strange smell to me.

I have tried making pork butt and chicken and those he couldn't eat.

That's why I decided to try to make a blah vegetable soup from scratch with all fresh veggies. I didn't use spices or tomato base and I made it smooshy. This is easier if you have an Instant Pot. I made 1/4 cup orzo with 1/2 teaspoon salt. I steamed small cubes of Yukon potato. I steamed fresh spinach and chopped. I drained a can of Cannellini beans.

I had baby carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, sweet onion and used about 6 ounces of each.

Then I prepped and cut veggies into very small florets and pieces. I diced celery and onion with 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Then I put everything in Instant Pot and poured low sodium chicken broth over it.

Slow cooked on high for 2 hours. Finally! Something that doesn't hurt his throat and doesn't have any strange taste. It made about 16 cups.

At least this way I know he is getting vitamins, minerals, calories, and protein. The veggies provide roughage as well. Sodium is low and carbohydrates are high.

I hope he can eat the whole thing. I would be happy to share the Bucket's Blah Vegetable Soup Recipe if anybody would like to try it.

If it didn't work for somebody it could be doctored with addition of chopped tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, oregano to name a few.

motorcycleguy said:

Kim,

The eating situation can be really challenging. I found (and still sometimes find) that meat can really challenge my taste buds.

It's funny how foods drift into and out of tasting good. I'll find something I love, only to realize I get tired of it quickly.

For me, eggs have been the most consistently decent tasting food - from soon after getting done with treatment.

It will take him a little while, but he'll slowly start finding things that taste goot to him. In the meantime, I feel for both of you - as it can be a challenge!

After re-reading your posts - it appears he's only a couple weeks from FINISHING treatment!

So - by about April 10th or so ... he'll start that trip to returning to RECOVERING from it all!!!..

After that, it's the fun process of getting taste back, and remembering what was good to eat.

Hang in there - you're in the 4th quarter, now!

MG

 

You're right MG; Bucket has consistently eaten eggs! He makes them himself in the new egg pan I bought.

I have been trying to do everything for him and then get a little depressed when he can't eat what I make...so it's better if he does it these days.

It's true that was good yesterday tastes like crap today! We shall overcome!

I keep telling him: You can do it! (In a deep Arnold  Schwarzenegger voice of course)

Thank you for your insight! 

Bless you and your girlfriend too