Has anyone on here with a PEG been able to swallow again after rad & chemo therapy to the tongue and neck ? My husband Steven finished his therapy 7 months ago but still not able to swallow anything ...Is there a possiblity of swallowing without surgery ? they are thinking about a " Flap " and Im so scared !! Please any advise would be so greatly apprecaited !!!! thanks ..

Dear Rachel,
Yes it is possible to swallow again although undoubtly very difficult and takes practise. The flap forms bulk in the mouth to enable a little speech again and also helps with swallowing process as the tongue/flap has to be at the roof of the mouth to enable swallowing Small amounts of water are used and the speech therapy department will use a form of x-ray when swallowing to show if it going down the oesophagus to stomach and not into trachea thus the lungs. My husband had a flap built from his stomach muscle and veins and a remarkable job done. They cannot allow anything by mouth initially as they must keep mouth kleen to monitor blood supply to tongue. I hope this helps a little. Be sure to ask any questions to your husbands consultant, write them all down before having meeting as you will probably forget them.

Good Luck.
kindest regards

Moira

Thank you so much Moira for responding - I was referring to swallowing without the surgery actually being performed - See Steven was diagnosed with 4 stage tongue cancer as well with involvement to the lymp nodes as ..He is currently feeding thur a PEG and has been for quite some time now - He fininshed his radiation and Chemo treatments 7 months ago and i was under the impression that he might be able 2 swallow again without any surgery ...but the more i read on here the more i see its not that likely is it ? Im so davastated by the whole thing - I was not aware that the surgery was so serious ...and my Husband has no idea what is actually involved - and i have no idea how to tell him ...or if i even want too at this point - Im so sorry for your lost - words can't even begin to tell you ...I've have been with Steven since i was 14 yrs old - he just turned 39 - The realization of this horrfic diasease is just starting to sink in for me and i don't know if im strong enough to handle this ....

Hi Rachel,
I am so sorry to hear what is happening. I think every case is very individual and should be treated that way. Can Steven not swallow due to tumour? Does he still have all of his tongue?
It is a very devastating journey to have to endure and procedures are very radical, but yet again every case is different. Maybe you should seek more information with Stevens consultant and then you don't have to tell him by yourself. I do urge you to get every detail discussed properly and know what your options are.
I feel your pain as I know how traumatic and life changing this is. Mine is very apparent. You will do have the strength to deal with it, it is just not apparent to you as you are in total shock from all of this.
Can I ask why they didn't perform surgery at the beginning. Please feel free to mail me any time and I will try to help and guide you as best I can.
You will have the strength to continue and support your beloved husband as I am sure he is terrified also.

kindest regards
Moira