Hi all my mum finished her treatment for oesophageal cancer on 6th March 2026. She had 4 lots of chemo and radiotherapy for 5 days a week for 5 weeks and the tumour has thankfully gone. She is slowly returning to her old self however she is still having difficulties in eating most things. She is on 3 x fortisips a day and having homemade soup. Today I tried to get her to eat some soft scramble egg which resulted in her retching and being sick. Apparently this happens when she tries to eat most things. Really concerned as her weight is hovering around 46kg and she is 83 years old. Is this normal? She won’t talk to anyone as she says there I nothing wrong with her lol x
Hi Sloth, I'm Tony one of the Community Champions, I am sorry to here about your Mother and her difficulties after treatment, I've also recovered from OS cancer with similar treatment, unfortunately our bodies take a right hamering with this treatment, in particular the Radiotherapy, I didn't have particular swallowing problems but as I had a stoma for breathing following my Throat cancer I don't have a voicebox so swallowing is either good or bad!
The following audio version of 'eating problems may help if you go onto Booklets and support there are 3 seperate types regarding food and eating but this one is a good start
Hopefully her eating will improve it normally does, but the other thing make sure she or you keep in touch with the Dieticians at the hospital as they will be of great help
Take care both, Tony
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Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
