So half way through my eight month after starting treatment and I am looking at either a port into my stomach or a tube down my throat.
I can no longer tolerate the supplement drinks and simply cannot get enough sustenance into my body by eating I am too slow.
Here in WA they did not offer me a tube in the beginning although they did say I might need one at some point. That point is now. I am in hospital because I lost about 4Kg in as many days despite eating as much as I could. I could just not keep up.
So tomorrow they are probably going to try and put a feeding tube in again (three failed attempts so far).
My concern is I cough a lot, convulsively and in aggressive short bursts. Will a tube even stay in? My throat is also very sore although I don't know if it is my trachea or esophagous which is inflamed and sore. Will the tube irritate my throat even more?
I am now on immunotherapy and so really don't want to end up on antibiotics and a port is surgical.....
Any advice appreciated.
Hi. Sorry to hear your troubles. I had two NG tubes in during treatment. I have a very low gag reflex but even with that I did vomit them both up. They did each last a few weeks though. How long do they want to tube you for?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
PEGs and RIGs can get infected and NGs are easy to replace so maybe that’s the way to go regardless. I couldn’t feel mine at the back of my throat at all.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Absolutely. It doesn't stop you eating at all
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
