ok some collective help is needed
What I do need is a little help. My boyfriend is really at a loss lately as to what else he can try to gain his weight.
This is where he stands now: 8 months out of treatment, jaw cancer, 6 weeks rads/1 a week chemo. Still has hardly any of any saliva, only about 3-5 seconds of taste on eating something, and mucositis(?) seems to worsen when he becomes more fatigued and loses a little more weight. he has lost about 75 pounds orig 60 lbs 8 months ago. He is down to 153 from a whopping 230 and he is 5'9 so he needs the weight, calories, muscle mass etc. You get my point. His swallowing is a little different so he has to be careful how fast he swallows.
What I would like to know is if everyone could post 1 or two kinds of foods that helped them gain weight as well as being easy to get down. He cant get most things down still. He hasnt got the peg anymore has had it since Feb. So swallowing is all he can count on and its so so difficult. The mucositis is really bad. Of course he gets fatigued easily cause he is not feeding his muscles and body enough calories and nutrition so Im guessing he is suffering partly from malnutrition.
so if you could all just respond with a food or two that you had much luck with in jumpstarting the whole eating process again, I would surely appreciate it, and I can forward him the list as it grows.
thanks so much for your help!!
Kathy
Comments
-
I know I sound like a broken
I know I sound like a broken record, pretty much all I eat is boost, custard and jello.
Really mostly boost (or ensure) vanilla or chocolate. I have only gained 4 pounds back of what I lost, so maybe I am not the best choice. I did only lose 20 pounds. I was 110 and now am 93, up from a low of 89. I am only 4 11* so the weight is not too low.
* with hairspray I am taller.
stacey0 -
What I can offer.staceya said:I know I sound like a broken
I know I sound like a broken record, pretty much all I eat is boost, custard and jello.
Really mostly boost (or ensure) vanilla or chocolate. I have only gained 4 pounds back of what I lost, so maybe I am not the best choice. I did only lose 20 pounds. I was 110 and now am 93, up from a low of 89. I am only 4 11* so the weight is not too low.
* with hairspray I am taller.
stacey
Hi Kathy,
I am looking out for my guy too and am worried about overall weight loss. He was not overweight to begin with. After his first chemo he could only tolerate getting one thing into him (he had particular requests: no milk products, not too sweet, fresh fruit).
He drank:
1 can Boost or Ensure plus (vanilla)
1 packet vanilla Carntion Instant breakfast
2-3 scoop orange or rasberry sherbet
Corresponding fresh fruit (berries with the rasberry; peach or mango with the orange)
Splash of pomegranite juice or OJ.
I would throw in some Vitamin C and L-glutamine and something for constipation.
Blend it all together.
This little drink is in the 600 calorie range.
Mark could drink them down.
Good luck,
Kim0 -
My experiences...
Six weeks out from end of treatment today, 8 weeks of radiation and three rounds of cisplatin chemo for base of tongue cancer, with mets to lymph nodes on both sides. Had the PEG installed at week 4 of treatment, and used it for everything but tea and water during treatment. I ended treatment on May 12th. Haven't used the PEG since June 1st.
I'm an opportunistic omnivore. I try tiny bites of just about everything and I eat several times a day. And I keep eating, even if the flavor subsides. At this point, just "eating" is more important than "eating healthy."
I use Carnation Instant Breakfast in whole milk, sometimes twice a day. TopCare brand of nutritional shake tastes better to me than Boost or Ensure. Scrambled eggs and sliced spam. I know - spam is weird, but it is soft enough to be easily chewed and swallowed. I also have the canned Hormel Mary Kitchen Corned Beef Hash, or Roast Beef Hash with my eggs. I also found all-beef franks without nitrates or nitrates are tender enough to eat if I cook them in hot/boiling water. Then I slice them in half lengthwise and cut them into bite-sized pieces so I won't choke (this is what I used to do for my toddlers).
On the organic front - I can eat most vegetables from our local farmer's market, sauteed or steamed. Zuchinni and summer squash are great, as is broccoli and cauliflower. I cook these in butter or olive oil and sometimes put sour cream on them. Green beans are great steamed and tossed in olive oil with a little bit of red wine vinegar and garlic. Potato salad is easy to get down; I add finely-chopped hardboiled eggs, cucumber, onions and celery to mine and add extra mayo to make it more wet.
The rotisserie chickens for sale in the supermarket (unless they are overcooked) are soft enough to be easily chewed, and are easier to eat than what I cook at home. I've been able to eat other cooked meats if I cut them into tiny slivers and eat slow.
Good luck.
Deb0 -
White Cell countKimba1505 said:What I can offer.
Hi Kathy,
I am looking out for my guy too and am worried about overall weight loss. He was not overweight to begin with. After his first chemo he could only tolerate getting one thing into him (he had particular requests: no milk products, not too sweet, fresh fruit).
He drank:
1 can Boost or Ensure plus (vanilla)
1 packet vanilla Carntion Instant breakfast
2-3 scoop orange or rasberry sherbet
Corresponding fresh fruit (berries with the rasberry; peach or mango with the orange)
Splash of pomegranite juice or OJ.
I would throw in some Vitamin C and L-glutamine and something for constipation.
Blend it all together.
This little drink is in the 600 calorie range.
Mark could drink them down.
Good luck,
Kim
I was told that Mucositis responds in direct porportion to the recovery of the white blood cell count. At 8 months post-treatment, is it possible that his white cell count has not recovered as expected? Should he maybe get a dose of Neulasta?
It would be worth asking his MD for some blood work.
I got my information from a co-worker (Nurse Practitioner) who underwent treatment for Leukemia, including bone marrow transplant, just a few years ago and suffered from severe Mucositis.
If they could get his mucositis to retreat, he should be able to eat more by mouth, more comfortably.
Glenn has had only 9 radiation treatments and is still eating but he's also supplementing with 3 cans of Glucerna via PEG, per day.0 -
Learning to eat again
Kathy, I am 6 months from last Tx, I lost over 50 lbs myself, one of the best things for me was going to speech therapist and doing swallowing exercises which stretched the muscles back out. My wife made Boost shakes and then progressed to soups, was a frequent flyer at Schlotzky's. A grilled cheese with crust cut off was one of the first solids I ate. Any foods with sauces or gravy that help get it down. It is still a struggle with saliva but I've learned to supplement food with water to be able to eat fairly normal.MY wife finally got it when I explained to her that eating was work and a struggle, something I had to make myself do. He has to keep trying to find what works for him, but I do know this, it will get better. We all get better at different rates, I would not try to compare because if he's not where someone else is, it will make him feel worse, at least it did me. Also, depression will affect everything, eating, energy level. Please encourage him to keep trying to eat, similar to working out, he is exercising his swallowing muscles. Hope this helps, I have been where he is at, and not long ago, and understand the feeling that you may never get better, but even minute progress is a good sign. Is he better than he was a month ago, 2 months ago? Take the positives wherever you can find them and have faith.
Kenny0 -
Deb..where do you buy topdfdb06c said:Learning to eat again
Kathy, I am 6 months from last Tx, I lost over 50 lbs myself, one of the best things for me was going to speech therapist and doing swallowing exercises which stretched the muscles back out. My wife made Boost shakes and then progressed to soups, was a frequent flyer at Schlotzky's. A grilled cheese with crust cut off was one of the first solids I ate. Any foods with sauces or gravy that help get it down. It is still a struggle with saliva but I've learned to supplement food with water to be able to eat fairly normal.MY wife finally got it when I explained to her that eating was work and a struggle, something I had to make myself do. He has to keep trying to find what works for him, but I do know this, it will get better. We all get better at different rates, I would not try to compare because if he's not where someone else is, it will make him feel worse, at least it did me. Also, depression will affect everything, eating, energy level. Please encourage him to keep trying to eat, similar to working out, he is exercising his swallowing muscles. Hope this helps, I have been where he is at, and not long ago, and understand the feeling that you may never get better, but even minute progress is a good sign. Is he better than he was a month ago, 2 months ago? Take the positives wherever you can find them and have faith.
Kenny
Deb..where do you buy top care?
Thanks
Stacey0 -
I found it at my local Save Martstaceya said:Deb..where do you buy top
Deb..where do you buy top care?
Thanks
Stacey
Save Mart in California. The label says it is distributed by Topco of Skokie, IL, but also says that it is made in Canada. Label says it is lactose and gluten free. Label also says "To use as your only source of nutrition for for use in children, consult your doctor." It has .350 calories and 24 essential vitamins and minerals.
Deb0 -
Many good suggestions
Kathy,
Allot of good suggestions have been posted so far.
1. Has he tried using Mucinex DM to clear out some of the mucus?
2. I would make myself a milk shake with a banana in it. This is opposite of my normal thinking as it actually contributes to the mucus, but I was more concerned about putting weight on at the time. Pasta, I ate cans of Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in meat sauce. I would add some water to it in a bowl and Microwave it to get it a little warm, not hot, as our mouths are still tender. Yogurt, fruit on the bottom, any that had the fruit on the bottom. The store brand did fine for me, they were usually 8 ozs and I would eat two of them.
3. Scrambled eggs, I would scramble up 3 eggs and I would pour some Mrs Butterworths'or Log Cabin Sugar Free syrup over them to help make them slide down easier. It may sound like it taste like crap, but his taste buds are shot at the moment, so getting the protien is more important.
4. Sloppy Joes, cook up some beef and add some sloppy joe mix, just so it isn't spicy, pour over some bread or hamburger rolls and let the juice settle into the bread. Hot cereal, I would let it cool to room temperature, went down pretty easily. I made it on the watery side. As mentioned above, everything I took in, I had a glass of water to rinse it down, on every bite.
My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here0 -
many thanks!MarineE5 said:Many good suggestions
Kathy,
Allot of good suggestions have been posted so far.
1. Has he tried using Mucinex DM to clear out some of the mucus?
2. I would make myself a milk shake with a banana in it. This is opposite of my normal thinking as it actually contributes to the mucus, but I was more concerned about putting weight on at the time. Pasta, I ate cans of Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli in meat sauce. I would add some water to it in a bowl and Microwave it to get it a little warm, not hot, as our mouths are still tender. Yogurt, fruit on the bottom, any that had the fruit on the bottom. The store brand did fine for me, they were usually 8 ozs and I would eat two of them.
3. Scrambled eggs, I would scramble up 3 eggs and I would pour some Mrs Butterworths'or Log Cabin Sugar Free syrup over them to help make them slide down easier. It may sound like it taste like crap, but his taste buds are shot at the moment, so getting the protien is more important.
4. Sloppy Joes, cook up some beef and add some sloppy joe mix, just so it isn't spicy, pour over some bread or hamburger rolls and let the juice settle into the bread. Hot cereal, I would let it cool to room temperature, went down pretty easily. I made it on the watery side. As mentioned above, everything I took in, I had a glass of water to rinse it down, on every bite.
My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here
Keep them coming folks, I am copying and pasting since my guy isnt as well
versed with the technology as I am.
All of the suggestions are terrific, but didnt the lack of saliva make it exceptionally
hard to swallow??? Im thinking that just the fear of choking might even add to the
anxiety of not being able to eat. He has had that scare a couple of times, trying to down
different things.
Im sure the mucositis has a tremendous effect on his desire to eat since it hurts more.
He really does want to eat as he misses it, has an appetite which would grow if he started to have some luck with getting food down. That white blood cell post was very interesting as I had never read that before. Maybe his white blood cell count needs to be jump started again, since the chemo/rads.
I failed to mention that the tumor was successfully irradicated, and he never had to have surgery. But I have never been comfortable with the drs not doing a pet/ct scan since he stopped treatment. Felt he didnt need to do it based on how everything looked in all other aspects of his treatment/recovery. But then again, I havent spoken to the dr myself so maybe thats why it doesnt sit well with me.
I appreciate the suggestions as I know he will. Please keep suggesting, Im forever grateful for the time you take to do so.....
thanks,
Kathy0 -
I used caphosol, anthegirlfriend said:many thanks!
Keep them coming folks, I am copying and pasting since my guy isnt as well
versed with the technology as I am.
All of the suggestions are terrific, but didnt the lack of saliva make it exceptionally
hard to swallow??? Im thinking that just the fear of choking might even add to the
anxiety of not being able to eat. He has had that scare a couple of times, trying to down
different things.
Im sure the mucositis has a tremendous effect on his desire to eat since it hurts more.
He really does want to eat as he misses it, has an appetite which would grow if he started to have some luck with getting food down. That white blood cell post was very interesting as I had never read that before. Maybe his white blood cell count needs to be jump started again, since the chemo/rads.
I failed to mention that the tumor was successfully irradicated, and he never had to have surgery. But I have never been comfortable with the drs not doing a pet/ct scan since he stopped treatment. Felt he didnt need to do it based on how everything looked in all other aspects of his treatment/recovery. But then again, I havent spoken to the dr myself so maybe thats why it doesnt sit well with me.
I appreciate the suggestions as I know he will. Please keep suggesting, Im forever grateful for the time you take to do so.....
thanks,
Kathy
I used caphosol, an artificial saliva. I can't use it now because my taste buds have returned and it tastes awful..I think it worked, it was hard to tell. It was really really expensive, my insurance covered all but $50.
Stacey0 -
Potatoes and gravythegirlfriend said:many thanks!
Keep them coming folks, I am copying and pasting since my guy isnt as well
versed with the technology as I am.
All of the suggestions are terrific, but didnt the lack of saliva make it exceptionally
hard to swallow??? Im thinking that just the fear of choking might even add to the
anxiety of not being able to eat. He has had that scare a couple of times, trying to down
different things.
Im sure the mucositis has a tremendous effect on his desire to eat since it hurts more.
He really does want to eat as he misses it, has an appetite which would grow if he started to have some luck with getting food down. That white blood cell post was very interesting as I had never read that before. Maybe his white blood cell count needs to be jump started again, since the chemo/rads.
I failed to mention that the tumor was successfully irradicated, and he never had to have surgery. But I have never been comfortable with the drs not doing a pet/ct scan since he stopped treatment. Felt he didnt need to do it based on how everything looked in all other aspects of his treatment/recovery. But then again, I havent spoken to the dr myself so maybe thats why it doesnt sit well with me.
I appreciate the suggestions as I know he will. Please keep suggesting, Im forever grateful for the time you take to do so.....
thanks,
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
After using only the peg tube for several months the first food I tried was mashed (whipped) potatoes with plenty of gravy. It went down very easily and didn't taste too bad so I then tried pasta with gravy or a homemade sauce (nothing with tomatoes as they burned at first). My next attempt at something new was scrambled eggs, they also go down easy. I always had a glass of water next to me and would take a small sip of water before attempting to swallow. I still keep water with me at all times because I suffer from severe dry mouth but I only need it for eating if I am eating something dry like bread or cakes. Pudding and ice cream are always good choices ;-)
I am 8 months post treatment (cisplatin and stereotactic radiosurgery for lung cancer) and 9 months post for laryngeal cancer (cisplatin and 35 rad sessions) and can eat most foods. Not everything tastes like it used to but I no longer look at eating as something I love to do but something I must do to keep myself healthy.
I hope things improve for him soon, I know how discouraging it can be at first but he has to keep trying. It will get better but not as fast as we would like.
My best to you and your boyfriend,
Glenna0 -
I want to PUMP you up!!!!!!!!!!!!! says Arnold!
Hi, I read this post last night but wasn't going to comment because I am only still in the treatment phase. I am just about done, I have 3/33 doses of radiation left and 1/3 doses of cisplatin left. So far I have lost roughly about 25 lbs started about 195 down to about 170 give or take some water weight. The crazy thing is I haven't really lost it in the belly; so I am assuming mostly everyone else has experienced the same. Where we lose it is in the muscle. Hence if you don't use it you lose it. I didn't see anyone try to answer your question about weight gain in regards to muscle mass. I have been lifting weights for almost 24 years now and know all to well that gaining weight and losing weight; diet and exercise go hand in hand. You ever notice a lot of these weight gain diets talk about food but that don't talk about the exercise. I don't know how much fatigue he is still experiencing but bottom line darlin your boy has to start hitting the weights. It's gonna be like hitting high school puberty all over again. All that good muscle mass we put on over the years he has to work like heck to put it back on. Now if he never really worked out to begin with this maybe good or maybe bad. I know htat muscle has memory, so once a person gets back in the gym and starts hitting the weights the lbs should come back on but with an appropriate diet of course... lots, lots of protien shakes. I notice a lot of people taking about scrambled eggs, I found that boiling eggs and eating lots of egg whites was better to swallow; plus less cholesterol if you don't eat the yolk. Well, like I said I am still in treatemnt (tx) and get food through peg and aren't doing weights yet. But believe me once the peg comes out, I'll be living at the gym.0 -
Foodsthegirlfriend said:many thanks!
Keep them coming folks, I am copying and pasting since my guy isnt as well
versed with the technology as I am.
All of the suggestions are terrific, but didnt the lack of saliva make it exceptionally
hard to swallow??? Im thinking that just the fear of choking might even add to the
anxiety of not being able to eat. He has had that scare a couple of times, trying to down
different things.
Im sure the mucositis has a tremendous effect on his desire to eat since it hurts more.
He really does want to eat as he misses it, has an appetite which would grow if he started to have some luck with getting food down. That white blood cell post was very interesting as I had never read that before. Maybe his white blood cell count needs to be jump started again, since the chemo/rads.
I failed to mention that the tumor was successfully irradicated, and he never had to have surgery. But I have never been comfortable with the drs not doing a pet/ct scan since he stopped treatment. Felt he didnt need to do it based on how everything looked in all other aspects of his treatment/recovery. But then again, I havent spoken to the dr myself so maybe thats why it doesnt sit well with me.
I appreciate the suggestions as I know he will. Please keep suggesting, Im forever grateful for the time you take to do so.....
thanks,
Kathy
Ensure Plus was top on my list Strawberry mainly. But I also like canned spinage really well. Another that topped my list were the Mason Jar style sliced DelMonte Peaches. Those were a few things that seemed to not lose their flavor much for some reason.
John0 -
PubertyIrishgypsie said:I want to PUMP you up!!!!!!!!!!!!! says Arnold!
Hi, I read this post last night but wasn't going to comment because I am only still in the treatment phase. I am just about done, I have 3/33 doses of radiation left and 1/3 doses of cisplatin left. So far I have lost roughly about 25 lbs started about 195 down to about 170 give or take some water weight. The crazy thing is I haven't really lost it in the belly; so I am assuming mostly everyone else has experienced the same. Where we lose it is in the muscle. Hence if you don't use it you lose it. I didn't see anyone try to answer your question about weight gain in regards to muscle mass. I have been lifting weights for almost 24 years now and know all to well that gaining weight and losing weight; diet and exercise go hand in hand. You ever notice a lot of these weight gain diets talk about food but that don't talk about the exercise. I don't know how much fatigue he is still experiencing but bottom line darlin your boy has to start hitting the weights. It's gonna be like hitting high school puberty all over again. All that good muscle mass we put on over the years he has to work like heck to put it back on. Now if he never really worked out to begin with this maybe good or maybe bad. I know htat muscle has memory, so once a person gets back in the gym and starts hitting the weights the lbs should come back on but with an appropriate diet of course... lots, lots of protien shakes. I notice a lot of people taking about scrambled eggs, I found that boiling eggs and eating lots of egg whites was better to swallow; plus less cholesterol if you don't eat the yolk. Well, like I said I am still in treatemnt (tx) and get food through peg and aren't doing weights yet. But believe me once the peg comes out, I'll be living at the gym.
Charles, you may (or may not) have went through the total body hair loss thing as of yet...LOL. If you do, and it turns out similar to me, you'll really think you are going through puberty again. I mean like, total loss of body hair, and then coming back in really fine and thin, I won't elaborate much more than that, you can figure it out....
As for the tummy, more than likely a lot of that is also fluid retention. Even though staying hydrated is huge, it seems that when I was on chemo that I'd retain a lot of fluid in my body.
JG0 -
Physical activityIrishgypsie said:I want to PUMP you up!!!!!!!!!!!!! says Arnold!
Hi, I read this post last night but wasn't going to comment because I am only still in the treatment phase. I am just about done, I have 3/33 doses of radiation left and 1/3 doses of cisplatin left. So far I have lost roughly about 25 lbs started about 195 down to about 170 give or take some water weight. The crazy thing is I haven't really lost it in the belly; so I am assuming mostly everyone else has experienced the same. Where we lose it is in the muscle. Hence if you don't use it you lose it. I didn't see anyone try to answer your question about weight gain in regards to muscle mass. I have been lifting weights for almost 24 years now and know all to well that gaining weight and losing weight; diet and exercise go hand in hand. You ever notice a lot of these weight gain diets talk about food but that don't talk about the exercise. I don't know how much fatigue he is still experiencing but bottom line darlin your boy has to start hitting the weights. It's gonna be like hitting high school puberty all over again. All that good muscle mass we put on over the years he has to work like heck to put it back on. Now if he never really worked out to begin with this maybe good or maybe bad. I know htat muscle has memory, so once a person gets back in the gym and starts hitting the weights the lbs should come back on but with an appropriate diet of course... lots, lots of protien shakes. I notice a lot of people taking about scrambled eggs, I found that boiling eggs and eating lots of egg whites was better to swallow; plus less cholesterol if you don't eat the yolk. Well, like I said I am still in treatemnt (tx) and get food through peg and aren't doing weights yet. But believe me once the peg comes out, I'll be living at the gym.
My other half/caregiver suggested (read...forced me) that we hire a personal trainer to get me in shape. In my mind I thought, "Okay. I'll go along with this for awhile. No sense in rocking the boat." That started last August and I'm still at it....love it. I'm age 62 and my wife informs me that I look as I did in my late 30's (but with Turkey Neck). My trainer uses a resistance program called the TRX system, along with free weights. This three hour per week routine has built up my torso/core area, along with my arms and legs. I don't seem to tire out as easily with each passing month. Prior to this, I would be that last person to ever want to go to a workout area.....now with a set schedule of repetitions and weight structure, I really like it. I feel in about another month I will cut her( my personal trainer) loose, and continue to do this on my own and have her check on my progress periodically.
Larry0 -
go to drink
Muscle Milk. It's expensive. It just took so long for me to be able to chew, especially meat. Needed protein. muscle milk had 25 grams of it so I did as much as I would let myself afford. Keep experimenting. Think outside the box. Concoctions I thought I could never get down helped! Don't give up. There is also a drug that stimulates appetite but the docs didn't want to put me on it - can't remember the name or why they didn't use.
Vince0 -
Muscle Milkfriend of Bill said:go to drink
Muscle Milk. It's expensive. It just took so long for me to be able to chew, especially meat. Needed protein. muscle milk had 25 grams of it so I did as much as I would let myself afford. Keep experimenting. Think outside the box. Concoctions I thought I could never get down helped! Don't give up. There is also a drug that stimulates appetite but the docs didn't want to put me on it - can't remember the name or why they didn't use.
Vince
Is that like Badger Milk.....just teasing, it struck me as funny for some reason..0 -
CHIK-FIL-A
I bet you have heard of ensure, but prosure is what my mom tried. Also, try Chik-fil-a milk shakes, pudding, etc. My mom is 6 years survivor of tonsil cancer and still has little to no saliva...ALWAYS keep a water bottle on hand. Never eat without a drink..not even a snack. He must keep his throat moist. I know the taste thing is a toughy, but if her can just get the calories through the milk shakes and prosure drinks and pudding, he can put on a couple of pounds. Even if he can tolerate ice cream, get some. Those chik-fil-a shakes are literally over the daily caloric intake (around 1500+ calories for a medium shake. I'll be praying. Also, mom experienced this thing called "sloghing" from the radiation treatment. She had sores lining her mouth and esophagus and it caused "stuff" to come up or accumulate in the mouth..watch for this. They can set him up a suction thing to help. God bless.
ALSO! Just noticed your comment on the choking...she is just now experiencing that. Make sure he chews his food until it becomes baby food consistency and also make sure he stick with gushy food items (GET HIM THE CHIK-FIL-A MILK SHAKE: 1500+ calories for $5.00). If you do not have a chik-fil-a, find an ice cream shop who makes them.0 -
Milk ShakesDLS5419 said:CHIK-FIL-A
I bet you have heard of ensure, but prosure is what my mom tried. Also, try Chik-fil-a milk shakes, pudding, etc. My mom is 6 years survivor of tonsil cancer and still has little to no saliva...ALWAYS keep a water bottle on hand. Never eat without a drink..not even a snack. He must keep his throat moist. I know the taste thing is a toughy, but if her can just get the calories through the milk shakes and prosure drinks and pudding, he can put on a couple of pounds. Even if he can tolerate ice cream, get some. Those chik-fil-a shakes are literally over the daily caloric intake (around 1500+ calories for a medium shake. I'll be praying. Also, mom experienced this thing called "sloghing" from the radiation treatment. She had sores lining her mouth and esophagus and it caused "stuff" to come up or accumulate in the mouth..watch for this. They can set him up a suction thing to help. God bless.
ALSO! Just noticed your comment on the choking...she is just now experiencing that. Make sure he chews his food until it becomes baby food consistency and also make sure he stick with gushy food items (GET HIM THE CHIK-FIL-A MILK SHAKE: 1500+ calories for $5.00). If you do not have a chik-fil-a, find an ice cream shop who makes them.
During the weeks prior to starting my treatment, I tried to put on as much weight as possible. My wife made a statement that I would get a milkshake after each time bloodwork was taken. That worked out pretty well for a while, but I think we got behind and I'm owed at least 15...20 milk shakes at this point. I'm still crazy about Wendy's Chocolate Frostys. They are the 1st "fast food" item that I could taste when my taste buds came back. They went down smooth and tasted great.
Larry0
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