Radiotherapy and chemo has anyone not had a peg tube?

Hi it takes a while for the planning to get done and a slot to  become available on the Linux machines. In scheme if things it won’t make a difference.  I was 63 days from diagnosis to treatment starting. The next few weeks  at least hubby can eat what he wants !! 
Hazel 

My timing was similar, I had dissection at the end of November 2013 and started radio/chemo on 13th Jan, they told me to over-indulge as much as poss over Christmas....so I did.

Just as an aside Cat, we've had a couple of Royal Surrey patients on here before so I've mentioned that I was brought up in Guildford, are you local to there or making a bit of a journey in?

Hello Janene, i hope you dont mind me asking but did they explain the removal of the tumour compared to the treatment using radio and chemo. I understand if you don't want to reply. I have always given a PEG but there are quite a few who did not and got through it ok, what he has to realise is that both his neck and tonsils will be treated at the same time. There is always the option of the NG tube if he does struggle with swallowing, this does not require any surgery and can be fitted quickly and easily. Wishing your husband all the best, take care.

                                                                 Chris x        

Hazel may be right with the PEG but NG tubes can be done in out patients. My trust protocol was to be reactive and place feeding tubes if they were required but they never refused them if they were needed. I ended up in hospital for a few days because I got dehydrated over a weekend when I stopped taking anything orally for two days.I was admitted on New Years eve and had to wait till the 4th to be discharged because all the nutrition staff were partying

Hi, I had similar but opted for surgery and adjuvant IMRT. Then chemo came later but that’s another story….::

I had very few mouth/throat issues and was able to eat normally throughout the 6 weeks of IMRT. It’s very targeted these days. So horses for courses but don’t assume a PEG is needed 

Hey Richard. Just like to say Hi and keep going. And give you a hug. Xx

Hi Richard good to hear from you 

Hazel x

Hi Janene

I had the same diagnosis and symptoms 

I had the surgery and all of the tumour was removed and I have not needed radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

I cannot answer your questions about PEG feeding as I did not need it, it took a few weeks but then managed to eat normally 

You will get excellent advice on here

wishing you all the best 

Hi janene123

i didn’t have a tube.  They don’t fit them as routine at the Marsden, although I did ask about it.  I did manage to eat weetabix with cream snd protein powder all they way through and didn’t loose any weight.  Also jelly snd cream.  Hope this helps.  

lizzie223