Hi everyone! I am new to this site but have been inspired to join by all of the survival stories I have been reading these last few weeks. My boyfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 tonsil/throat/tongue cancer in February and since then has undergone two surgeries, 8 weeks of chemo and radiation and is still on his peg tube after two months out of treatments. He was able to swallow water a few weeks ago, but then all of a sudden that stopped. The doctors stretched his esophagus last week and that seemed to help but we really want to get him off the tube...has anyone else had these problems? How long can this take? And will his voice ever be normal again?

Hello Belle 70

So sorry to hear what your boyfriend has been through and hopefully his swallowing reflex will come back very soon. I had great difficulty swallowing straight after my operation and had to learn all over again, with the help of my speech therapist. She had me close the back of my throat (as you would to gargle) take a sip of water and lean my head back (whilst sitting in a comfortable chair)then open my throat and try to swallow hard as if trying to swallow a large pill. Sounds easy I know, but it certainly isn't. Having said all this I haven't had radiotherapy which I know further constricts and burns the throat, but it's the best help I can give. Everyone reacts and recovers differently and we just have to be patient whilst we re-educate those muscles and reflexes. All of a suddon it will come right! Meantime, tell him not to be in too much of a rush to get rid of the PEG as it allows him to get all the nutrition he needs to recover from such a massive ordeal. Some of us have been using a PEG for many months, if not years. It really is a lifeline. Best of luck to you both.
Brenda

Brenda,

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement..they came at just the right time. We just got back from another visit to hospital where Doug's surgeon gave us a long tongue-lashing about how he may never get off the tube, and he will never be normal again..he was very discouraging by contrast. I could tell that he just didn't want to commit to anything and when I suggested physical therapy he gave me a very decidedly patronizing answer as if to say, "good luck Babe". I have been reading so much about people who have gotten through this via whole foods and vitamin supplements through their pegs, physical therapy as you suggested, and all sorts of other natural ways. I think that is the direction we are heading in next..it feels right to me. Glad to hear you are doing well and sorry for what you have had to endure. Thanks again for your input and I'll keep posting.