treatment

[moowife]

My husband's lung cancer has returned. He has a medical oncologist and now needs a radiation oncologist. Have an appointment with radiation oncologist on 11/19/2020. Once treatment starts, his immune system will be compromised. In addition, radiation can cause swallowing problems. I am concerned about him not being able to eat or choking or having a feeding tube.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

I had concurrent chemo and radiation. A couple weeks into my radiation (32 radiation treatments) I developed esophagitis. Since then I learned some things that helped others. I wish I’d known about because I swallowed through the tears.

First is something called magic mouthwash Also called swish and swallow. I did use this near the end. It numbs the pain so the patient can swallow. I found its effects lasted about 15 minutes so I used it immediately before eating.

Second, was the use of honey. Honey has been used for millennia to heal burns. Swallow a tablespoon of it a few minutes after treatment. USE PROCESSED HONEY, raw honey may contain botulins. The darker the honey the higher the antioxidant content.

Third, talk to your doctor about using a protein pump inhibitor like omeprazole (Prilosec), many patients develop GERD due to age or as a side effect of treatment or medications. The gases cause more burning pain.

Fourth, Aloe juice helps to soothe the throat. It’s also a good prebiotic. If he can’t tolerate the taste, mix it into a smoothie.

Find foods that are easy to swallow. I drank lots of smoothies, shakes made with Boost, buttered rice or noodles, applesauce, scrambled eggs, Pudding, jello, mashed potatoes, yogurt, ice cream, popsicles, that kind of thing. Avoid spicy foods.

Others will check in and share what foods worked for them.

I’ve a friend who’s on her 5th first in human clinical trial. With the last one she had horrible throat issues. An infusion nurse told her about a product called Healios. It works for thrush also, but it’s pricey.

[moowife in reply to Denzie]

thank you!

[judg69]

Smooth, cool foods- shakes - puddings - ice cream et al, then eventually can add some very warm to almost hot food. I found food to be most palatable when it was at the temperature extremes. Very important , it is likely that foods will begin to take on a ‘metal’ taste — best advice I was given - stop using all metalware - and change over completely to smooth plastic ware. Best wishes, judg69

[moowife in reply to judg69]

thanks

[Seaspray298]

The swallowing issues all depend on the area being radiated. I had the subcarinal lymph node radiated and it did cause esophagitis. Everything Denzie and the others stated are spot on. If it does happen, I only remember a few days of swallowing pain. I have since had 2 other lymph nodes in the lungs radiated, the hilum was one. Zero swallowing problems. Best to be prepared and hope for the best! Remind your husband that this too shall pass. Let us know what other treatments he begins.