Mouth and Jaw Cancer

My son had the district nurse come out the day after he got home, it's not always the same one, but they come Monday, Wednesday and Friday and just change the dressing on the trachy.  His leg has healed so well, he has no dressing on it all all.  Not sure when he will start the radiotherapy, but he might find out more today when he goes for his appointment.  

No, not really, think you had such good treatment and support and that's what you miss most I suppose.

Hello, pleased to hear your son is home now.

With regard to your son struggling to eat, Penrod has given some very useful responses but  I thought I’d add my recent experience of something similar to your son in the hope it helps.

I had a tumour removed from my mouth, rim mandibulectomy and reconstruction. When I was first home I could only open my mouth enough to insert a small spoon and could not chew.

I was sent home with boatloads of Fortisips, but wanted something a bit more natural and nutritious.

The answer was fairly bland homemade soups (sweet potato and butternut squash or pea, potato and mint etc.) with sour cream or creme fraiche swirled in it.

I also had fresh fruit smoothie (banana, strawberry, raspberry with coconut milk and milk). Also milkshakes made with fresh fruit, ice cream and milk.

We avoided any spices in the soups, just fresh vegetables.

Bought a couple of blenders to make the soups and smoothies and they were brilliant at liquidising things so I could manage them immediately post op.

Homemade egg custard was another thing I could manage, sometimes with mashed banana.

That's reminded me of one thing I did eat a lot - Baxters spicy parsnip soup and then moved on to homemade shepherds pies with lots of mayonnaise.

I have mayonnaise with pretty much everything at the moment. Or custard if it’s something sweet.

I eat a shocking amount of mayonnaise but I lost nearly 2 stone from the time I was diagnosed so a few high calorie items are no bad thing.

I'm the same with Mayonnaise, get through one of the bog 800G family pack jars a fortnight.

Has to be the full fat Hellmann's, the low fat version or other brands just aren't the same

Thank you everyone for your suggestions for what he can eat.  As I've said before, to be able to come on here and speak to people who have been, or are going through the same type of thing, is really helpful.  Thanks again.  Take care everyone, stay safe.  Janet 

Thanks for all your lovely positive comments.  My son has now had one session of chemo and today will have his 14th session of radiotherapy.  He has to have 33 lots of radiotherapy and one more chemo.  He's struggling a bit now, as his mouth and tongue are very swollen and painful, plus he has ulcers in his mouth.  He now has to see a skin specialist as his skin on his neck and face are very red an sore.  Of course, with the cancer being in his cheek and jaw the radiotherapy has to be targetted in that area.  One bit of good news, although he's very claustrophic he took Diazapm for the first 2 or 3 sessions, but is now managing without.  I think it's just the feeling of having the mask attached to the treatment couch that causes him to panic sometimes.  However, he's getting through it and trying to stay positive.  One thing I miss when we visit is that I can't give him a hug at the moment.   Hope everyone is doing well, take care and hug your loved ones when you can.  x 

Thanks for the update. It’s a hard treatment but his team will look after him. He just has to keep going. All the best