Radiotherapy after surgery with young children

Hi Tigerlily1983, Everyone is different, it's so difficult to know what's best to do, weight loss is also different from.person to person..I think if you have doubts, discuss it again with your specialist, don't be afraid to ask the questions, don't feel pressured, they really do understand your position, don't forget it's your body, and the specialist understand that. My husband felt the same as you do, he discussed it with his specialist, and fortunately he supported his doubts, he knew if he got very ill he would need one, he accepted that...he didn't, so, it worked for him, and talking to other of the professors patients they did the same...thinking of youxxx

Ps my husband is now in remission, his diagnosis was T4, N2 MO.

Hi Some people manage without the feeding tube, for me personally my ng tube week3 was my lifesaver. Its your decision personally I would go down the ng tube again I found it helped me make a great recovery  Until you can’t swallow you’ve  no idea how painful it is, the other alternative is to have nothing and some do and manage to do without but after  6  years in here they are certainly the minority. You could have the feeding tube as a peg  fitted as that’s not  visible, it’s rare that they will fit the peg once treatments underway as there’s a certain amount of pain for around a week 

, look at it as an insurance policy it’s there if you need it. Mine was a lifesaver and it did allow me to make a great recovery as i said earlier..I was well enough to fly to Spain week 8 of recovery. Talk it through with your team is my advice, at the end of the day the choice is yours but please think carefully. 

You many need support at home for the first few weeks once treatment finished the following weeks the radiotherapy continues to work and many find it difficult. 

good luck. Hazel 

Thankyou Hazel Yes it seems the majority are advising feeding tube. Think I'll have to bite the bullet and have one fitted. Will discuss Monday.

I want to be as well as I can for my babies especially as after I finish treatment the school summer holidays kick in 

Thankyou for your messages. I think i may get one fitted as I just want to be as well as I can be for my little girls. I'm not eating very well now so lost already 10lbs in couple weeks I've managed to keep the same now tho this last week. 

We're thinking about going away with the children for few days before my treatment starts as I doubt I'll be going far for couple months. :( 

Tigerlily1983 said:

We're thinking about going away with the children for few days before my treatment starts as I doubt I'll be going far for couple months. :( 

That’s a really good idea. You will be well again but it takes time. I went to Malvern show in the June after treatment finished, which was 5 months. It was a long walk to the show ground but I did it. I was knackered in the evening though. 

Hi I would as speaking from personal experience my ng tube was my lifesaver I’m only small 5 foot and I couldn’t afford to loose too much even with tube I lost around 10 lb mostly after treatment finished. Yes book a few days away. Take heart from us on here who have walked the walk and come out the other side. I too found it was a balancing act of I had a busy day the next day I would chill. Which with 2 little ones isn’t easy I hope you have support at home. Any questions just ask we’re all happy to help. 
My husband was my lifeline.

Hugs 

Hazel 

Hi Tigerlilly1983

I am so sorry to read your post, like you I had   substantial weight loss before I agreed to have a PIG fitted( feeding tube inserted differently to a PEG)

 We are all so unique in our experience, from diagnosis,, treatment, , the way our bodies cope and recovery .Some do manage without but most of us are thankful of the feeding tube once swallowing becomes so difficult..Mine saved my life.

Once I had recovered from the insertion operation it became second nature to use the tube for nutrition ,fluids and meds.Very easy to use and keep clean.

I hope you have family and friends who can support you and help with your lovely little girls .Im sure their cuddles and kisses will get you through the tough days.

All the best for treatment x

Debbie

Tigerlilly 1983

Just do what you feel is right for you, and take each moment as it comes. Decision making of any sort is going to be difficult at such an awful time,, getting through it has to done your way. 

Lovely idea to get away for a few days beforehand, I'm sending my heartfelt thoughts to you and your beautiful family.

Take care of yourself, please keep us updated when you can.

Xxxxx

Thankyou very much. Yes my little girls are my medicine they're hard going but keeps me going.

I'm struggling eating now so who knows what radiotherapy will do. Good to have that backup. Yes I have an amazing husband who is getting me through this even tho he struggles some days too x

Thankyou lovely message.

I'm booking a break away tonight, it's important to me to have this ive already told my nurse, it won't delay my treatment I just have to take my daughter out of school for a week, she's only 4 doubt she'll miss much.

I will update I'm assuming I need RIG/PEG fitted so many days before I start treatment.

Claire