Weight Loss Post Radiation

• Do you mean a rig or peg thing in the stomach, Dani ? If so, no, they said that would have had to have been put in place before radiotherapy began. Not sure why they couldn't do it now, though. 

No. You can drip feed with a pump via an NG. I did that. I fixed up the pump at bedtime and it slowly slowly got a litre of the vile feed in while I slept. Some people fed through the day carrying the pump and feed around in a rucksack. 

Oh wow - I've never heard of that !  Will see how I go over the next couple of days. Just finishing a glass of strawberry En-shake. I make it with almond milk now, which doesn't seem to induce the nausea as much as cow's milk, but I don't think it contains as many calories. Made with cow's milk, each one contains 695 calories, which I suppose is quite a lot. If anyone had asked me to drink a straberry milkshake before the cancer, I'd have thrown up at the thought of it even then lol ! 

If you can swallow a shake try banana/avocado and peanut butter. Make it with whatever milk you have or with ice cream. You can get 2K calories in a pint of that. Add syrup or honey if you want it sweeter. 

I don’t react well to cow’s milk either.  Someone on here recommended Huel vegan shakes which I get on well with.  I use them as calorie top up. ‘Only’ 400 calories…but a nice way of getting 400 calories.

Liz

Hi Lindylou. I asked if they could put in a RIG while I was having radiotherapy as I was having a tough time of it. My doctor told me that it was not really an option as it was an operation that needed a bit of recovery time and not recommended doing during radiotherapy. However na NG tube is definitely an option during radiotherapy as no op required.

Lyn

I've just managed to eat a banana with a couple of scoops of ice cream ! Have only had that and half an En-shake today which isn't much, but an improvement !  Love peanut butter, so will give that a try. Thanks !

Hi Sophie,

I just can't bear the thought of the tube going down my throat as it feels so restricted now that I've got a fear of gagging and choking. I've had a camera scope up my nose and down my throat quite a few times, but that was before my op and the radiotherapy. Guess I'm just being a wimp, which isn't me at all ! I've had half an En-shake today and actually managed a banana and a couple of scoops of ice cream, but unfortunately, that's probably not enough.

Funnily enough, a friend mentioned them to me the other day. Will give them a try. Thanks, Liz !

Thanks for the response Linda. I really hope things pull together quickly for you! I tell you, in the morning I feel like I’m winning the battle, by the late afternoon I’m getting my butt kicked. Trying to push the cals but it’s a challenge. Take care Linda, our thoughts are with you