In treatment looking for help

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DougBStrong
DougBStrong Member Posts: 1
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

first time posting 2 weeks left.  between the radiation and chemo I can't keep food down.  I'm on meds but not helping.  Anyone can recommend a  food that taste normal?  I can eat oat meal and some boost drinks.  losing weight fast.

anyone with ideas to get through last two weeks. And when will I start feeling better.

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  • RobbT
    RobbT Member Posts: 17 Member
    #2
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    Mash potatoes.

    I ate mash potatoes and cream of wheat. Mixed with milk and butter.  Lots of ensure enlive or boost too.

     

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #3
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    welcome

    DougBStrong,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, sorry that you are here, but you only have 2 weeks left, that’s great.

    Try any soft food you can think of, some ideas are eggs, soups, peaches in syrup, etc.  Liquid diet is where you can pack on some calories. I lived mostly on smoothies for 7 months as most foods tasted and felt weird.

    Good luck.

    Matt

  • soonermom
    soonermom Member Posts: 155
    #4
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    It's Hard

    At this point in treatment, my husband was totally dependent on his PEG Tube.  He got it out at 15 week post treatment.  At one point he lost 9lbs over a weekend even with PEG tube.  I know there are many people on this site that made it through without a PEG tube but honestly, I don't think he could have.  If you can drink VHC Boost you can order it through Amazon.  540 cal in 8 oz.  

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #5
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    Boost

    Bost and more Boost..

  • rsp
    rsp Member Posts: 103 Member
    #6
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    Extra calories

    DougBStrong,

    Beside the High Calorie Boost that everyone is mentioning, you can also order something called Benicalorie from Amazon.  I believe they come 24 to a case.  Each small container can be added to almost any food for an extra 330 calories.

     My husband did not have a feeding tube and lost just under 90 pounds.  He is 8 months post chemo/radiation for SCC on his tongue, and he is still struggling to eat many foods.  He doesn't have a lot of taste, and still can't eat many foods...but he IS eating.  I am still ordering the High Calorie Boost, and he drinks a milkshake made of HC Boost, Fairlife milk, and a few squarts of Hershey's' syrup every night.  I figure it is close to 800 calories.

    With that being said, he is realizing this is a LONG journey, and is happy to be here.  It is not an easy journey, but you can do it!  There are so many people on this site who have helped us so much.  You found the right place to seek help and ask questions.

    Hang in there. 

  • soonermom
    soonermom Member Posts: 155
    #7
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    rsp said:

    Extra calories

    DougBStrong,

    Beside the High Calorie Boost that everyone is mentioning, you can also order something called Benicalorie from Amazon.  I believe they come 24 to a case.  Each small container can be added to almost any food for an extra 330 calories.

     My husband did not have a feeding tube and lost just under 90 pounds.  He is 8 months post chemo/radiation for SCC on his tongue, and he is still struggling to eat many foods.  He doesn't have a lot of taste, and still can't eat many foods...but he IS eating.  I am still ordering the High Calorie Boost, and he drinks a milkshake made of HC Boost, Fairlife milk, and a few squarts of Hershey's' syrup every night.  I figure it is close to 800 calories.

    With that being said, he is realizing this is a LONG journey, and is happy to be here.  It is not an easy journey, but you can do it!  There are so many people on this site who have helped us so much.  You found the right place to seek help and ask questions.

    Hang in there. 

    Good to hear from you

    rsp, it is good to hear your husband is still making progress.  Glad to hear he is eating some.  Some people were confused about the VHC Boost and thought it was the same as the High Calorie Boost carried in the big box stores, like Walmart.  Look carefully at the calorie counts to be sure you have VHC Boost, DougBStrong.  In my community we could only get VHC Boost off the internet.  Hardly anywhere to get it in the state.  Every calorie counts and as even drinking becomes more difficult, the density of the calories matters.  

  • Klingels
    Klingels Member Posts: 78
    #8
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    Feeding Tube

    My husband had to go on the feeding tube after the second week, even then the chemo made it very difficult for him to even want to eat. Finally, post treatment, he is taking enough calories through the G tube.

  • El23fields
    El23fields Member Posts: 11
    #9
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    Protein powder

     DougBstrong.  You can mix protien powder in with cream of wheat or put it into a smoothie or even a low sodium broth.  I was informed that protein aides in healing.  Try to get as much as you can.  The next 2-4 weeks will be a challange, but if I can do this anyone can.  Wishing you the best,

  • Andy13460
    Andy13460 Member Posts: 115
    edited August 2017 #10
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    food

    There are specific full meal shakes with everything you nead in them Im in Ireland and used Fortisip compact by a company called Nuticia 125ml bottle 300 calories I was on 8 of these a day for the last 2 weeks and nothing else (2400 ccalories) The radiotherapy nurses used to give me these every day to take home. I didnt have a feeding tube they dont do feeding tubes in Ireland which I am now pleased about 8 weeks post treatment and all is good eating wise.

  • Barktender
    Barktender Member Posts: 3
    #11
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    What would you do before treatment and during treatment?

    Have not started treatment yet (radia/chemo combo) what would you do differently knowing what you know now?  What would you do during treatment and after having survived the treatment?

    Thank you thank you,

     

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #12
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    In Retro-Spect

    I would have gotten a port for chemo and IV hydration. It tore my veins up some kind of bad. I ended up with a feeding tube about 4-5 weeks in as well.

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #13
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    I got a port, best thing ever

    I got a port, best thing ever

    Before? EAT, eat everything you love, eat like never before, because it'll never taste the same again.

     

    I refused feeding tube, and I still would. But thats just me. Make sure you have GOOD pain meds for the end of radiation.

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    edited August 2017 #14
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    Someone just posted the

    Someone just posted the ultimate smoothie recipe and it sounds perfect.

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