Sorry to interfere again but I am really concerned. What difference is it going to make whether he is having r/t or not? I trust he is still having fluid through his canular. I can't honestly remember the number of the speed and neither can Bill bnut 25 seems to be in my mind, however, it took 12 hours to get one litre through. How long does it take at 75?

On a different note - I'm sure I read here that there was someone who just could not tolerate Jevity.

Like you Angiebaby I'm sure it took about 10 hrs to get 1 litre into my mum.

Hi Graham and Muse fan. It would be lovely to learn if you have any positive progress during this most traumatic time.

Health and recovery takes precidence here, sure, but maybe later you can explore if all procedures have been correctly followed by all those concerned.

Best wishes, nigel

Yes, sorry everyone. You are quite right Nigel, I sound like Attila the Hun don't I. It's just that when Bill was at the same stage I had to fight to get him a hospital bed and in the end had to pay for privately and even though he was in a cancer hospital, the staff didn't seem to be familiar with H & N cancer. "on your door it says nil by mouth but you're not going to surgery today are you?" just seems like a lot of distress and discomfort could be avoided.

It's now Sunday, Friday pm Graham vomited his NG tube up, really, really upsetting for him and very painful with a red raw throat. The plan is now as it's the weekend and nothing ever happens at the weekend, to wait until there is an operating slot at a hospital ten minutes away, and then fit a RIG probably Monday or Wednesday. Poor man in literally wasting away. He is being given fluids through canular but that's it no nourishment at all not even his diabetes meds, luckily not too concerned about that as his sugars seem ok (probably the lack of food!! now we know the cure for diabetes!!)

The Jevity through the NG went through in about 4-6 hours but I have noticed there are different sized bottles.

I think what is concerning Graham is that as he was still vomiting with the NG tube will it continue once he is fed with the RIG? His stomach must be the size of a marble by now.

The reason they waited until Graham had had his R/T is the vomiting, he didn't want to vomit wearing the mask (which I've now got at home).

His skin is looking sore now and feels very hot and painful. This treatment really is testing.

On another note, I'm getting concerned friends of Grahams saying as he has lost so much weight (around 20 KGs and still counting) that they are concerned the cancer has spread and that I should insist on another scan. I'm not sure what to do, we don't want more bad news and I'm sure if the doctors were worried they would have suggested just that. Any thoughts?

Joanne x

Morning Joanne, I thought the smallest Jevity was one ltr, I lknow they tried Bill on 1.5 and he couldn't take it so had Ensure (one carton = 30 mins) during the day, but that was about 6 weeks after r/t. So, I still maintain it is going in too fast but as we said before, they must know what they are doing. Perhaps look Jevity up on't 'tinternet

Obviously the weight loss is a great worry but if you look through these pages it seems quite common. Bill lost 6 stone altogether, about 4 stone when he was at Graham's stage and then more till he went on the Ensure. He was a big man before so could afford to lose some and now maintains a weight of 12 stone. You have enough on your plate at present so try not to worry about secondaries. Things will get better.

Hi to all, thought I would update on progress (or lack of it). Graham is still in hospital, just on IV fluids as no operating slot till Friday. He obviously has lost more weight and is very down. I have mentioned this to the nurses and they are doing their best to try and get him out of bed. He is just exhausted, still vomitting and now depressed. Fingers crossed for Friday that they can at last get some nutrition into him. I'll let you know any updates, thanks to all.

Joanne

Hi Muse Fan,

Not much to say as you go through it, but to let you know that others are thinking of and praying for you. As the caregiver remember to take care of YOU as you go through this.

With weight loss I have one comment, I lost 80 pounds throughout my RT session...about 36 KG and though I look awful (I'm told) it was not an indication of the cancer spreading. I make that comment to give some peace about weight loss does not equal more cancer.... by the way,...the weight comes back to some degree.

Best wishes as you fight!!

Bob (pembo)

Hi Joanne,

i am just coming up to loosing 2 stone and don't have cancer anymore...... Alot of weight is lost due to the treatment and if Graham can't eat - well of course he is going to loose weight.

Love Chloex