Newly diagnosed

Hi Boonz 

Have you started any treatment yet? 
I had an NG placed in week four of radiotherapy when the pain stopped me swallowing anything. 

Hi Boonz, Welcome to the H&N forum sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with the cancer, I had similar mine was in my Voicebox so grade 4 so had surgery to remove it a Laryngectomy, at least I avoided the chemo and Radiotherapy treatment, although you don’t mention what treatment plan they are giving you.

To the question I was on a nasal feed tube for approx. 5 days after the operation, it’s a very slow feed and supplemented with injections into the junction of liquid, if I remember correctly my normal daily intake was over 8 hours, its not uncomfortable at all just a nuisance having the tube there and keeping it in place. So it will be an only option for you for q while I’m afraid as you will have to have nourishment etc

Please come back if you want more help but I would reach out to the Head and Neck Forum as there are several people like me on there

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/head-neck-cancer-forum/

Stay safe and whilst it might not be all the same Happy Christmas and hope the New Year goes well

Tony

Although my cancer was eventually found at base of tongue I had a PEG inserted before treatment started.  Personally I could not face the thought an NG tube - others can't face the thought of a PEG.  The PEG worked well for me and I had absolutely no trouble with it from the day it went in until around 6 months later when it came out.

Hi Boonz  I consented to a ng tube if and when I needed it when I met my oncologist and signed the ( consent forms. I managed ok for the first 3 weeks then literally went from eating ok ish one day to the  next morning nothing would go down. I saw t( dietician and wit( a bit of persuasion on m6 par ( she wanted me to try for a few more days ) umm no way I couldn’t even swallow my pain meds.  The tube was fitted that day  and I went home with a pump,a rucksack and feed with the bulk delivery a few days later. It was my lifesaver if enabled me to continue treatment  and make a good recovery. I pulled it out with nurses permission 3 weeks into recovery as I could swallow sufficient ensures to maintain calories. 

good luck 

Hazel 

Thanks Hazel, that's helpful.

Hi Boonz , my husband has just been discharged from hospital 7 weeks after a laryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer. He was finding swallowing very difficult before the surgery, but that was partly because he previously had extensive surgery and radiotherapy for tongue cancer. He was given a PEG rather than an NG tube because his oesophagus was so narrowed from the previous treatment that they didn’t think an NG tube could be used safely. The PEG is working really well, and he will keep it in until he can swallow well enough to eat enough food - he may have to keep it in permanently but again this is due to the previous surgery and damage rather than the laryngectomy. 
My husband’s cancer was also graded stage 4, but the surgeons are very confident that they got clear margins round it when it was removed. I wish you all the best with your treatment and good luck keeping up your food intake by whatever method. 

Thanks, that's very helpful to know. All the best to your husband.

The full treatment plan has not been finalized as yet. I'm waiting for the MDT. The links are useful.

Waiting MDT decision on the way forward.