Radiotherapy side effects

Husband still in hospital   after vomiting his first NG tube out he was then refitted only for it to end up in lung.  Obviously removed and then eventually got fitted.  He has undergone his 21 of 30 radiotherapy today.  Pain is hopefully being managed but today in severe pain after therapy.  He has 9 treatments to go and I feel he would be better in hospital till they are over.  However I can't help but feel being pressured to get training  in Ng feed for him to come home.  Not been said just general feeling.  Can anyone tell me how long NG might be in.  Thks

Hi therE

i had 6 weeks of radiotherapy with the mask. I had to take a diazepam every time as the mask was awful. I got the nurses to play music whilst the treatment was on and I focused on it.

I hope this helps 

take care

Hi.  My NG tube was in for 8 weeks so that’s 6 weeks after treatment end. 

My side effects started much sooner than I was told/hoped for. So whilst we are all different, groups of us will be similar. Best wishes with your journey and always here to try and help.

Gillell said:

  He has 9 treatments to go and I feel he would be better in hospital till they are over.

This has to be up to you both. If you can’t cope and your husband is losing weight the hospital will keep him in but they will be keen to get him home as soon as possible. I found I picked up NG tube management fairly quickly. It’s a question of confidence but don’t be pressured. The lack of pain control is problematic. I really needed my background pain to be managed and when I was given long acting morphine twice daily it was a game changer. Some people are given Fentanyl patches. They achieve the same thing. 

Hi mine was in 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after.  Mine was a lifesaver for me, my husband took over the feeding and making sure I was hydrated as well as fed. He also checked my p h levels prior to each feed. Personally I wouldn’t have wanted to be in hospital, At hime you’re in control of medications is he in sufficient to keepmthe pain at bay. Mine was taken by rote I had a spreadsheet that we ticked off when medication was administered which also went 8n via ng tube. 
Hazel x

Many thanks

Thanks so much.  Don't know what part of our journey I have told.  But up to 13th treatment all going well.  Sent home with Oramorph and paracetamol.  Weekend and had to phone hotline sat/sun. Told at last call to attend local A&E where he spent 20 hours in corridor before being sent  for his treatment at different location.  Steadily not eating much and vomiting still attending for therapy then only through dietician  admitted.  Thought that was it but then vomited tube up.  Had another fitted which was placed in lung.  Just feel it's all too much too soon to be talking about training for NG feed for home.  Thanks again.

Husband on NG tube feed. Today they changed the feedvto higher calorie intake.  2/3rds of way through feed starting feeling sickly again. Nisbthis normal.

Some people just seem to have a really bad time with feeding. Maybe it's just a real sensitivity to the radiotherapy. It batters the whole body not just the target.

I fed slowly by pump overnight. Some people carried their food around in a rucksack and fed through the day. Might that work?