Good morning all. My fiance finished CRT for oropharyngeal cancer last Friday and got home after a 2 week stay in hospital where he had an NG tube inserted. Obviously I totally appreciate eating is so difficult but he has been told to try and he just won't as he says nothing has any taste. I'm trying to encourage as much as possible and tell him that nutrition is essential over taste. Anyhow since getting home his NG tube came out early hours of Saturday and was reinserted yesterday. It's come out again today and he just doesn't seem to care at all. Currently waiting for the district nurse to come out to dress the radiation burns on his neck and I'll then have to organise to get him in to get the tube reinserted. He was so positive at the start of his treatment and I get he is exhausted but he won't even really make an effort to drink water or other fluids. Is this a normal reaction? Am I expecting too much?
Hi Amysmum
Welcome to our community, I hope you find it both informative and supportive.
Sorry to hear about what you are both going through, difficulties in eating and drinking are not uncommon and it can become something of a focus between carers and their loved ones. Sometimes of course it feels like the last thing people can control but of course things can get very difficult very quickly when these go wrong.
What sometimes works is to put the issue with your partner, a bit of hard love can go a long way.
What I know I had to learn was how to make space for me. I did a living with less stress course with Maggies and I also found the information in your feelings when someone has cancer quite helpful in understanding what my own normal might look like.
<<hugs>>
Steve
Thank you for your reply. I know it's still very early days into his recovery and I think you are right with the tough love.
I know i need to make time for me too, that's the part I struggle with as I don't want to appear selfish but if I burn out who is going to step in?
Thank you again 
