Our Freind Had An Operation For Oesophagus Cancer On The 10 Th Dec....

[lilacben]

he was very poorly for ten days and it was touch and go but he has pulled through...there was a hole in his join to the stomach so was making breathing difficult. also his lung hadnt reflated after the op....He is home now and although is making progress very very slowly he has been told he needs to eat high protein food to make a better recovery.. But he is having trouble swallowing. Has lost two stone and really needs to start building him self up...He doesnt like smooth food and says he cannot swallow lumps...his poor wife is worring so much about him. Has anyone one here any experience of this and could they help by please by telling me if they had the same problem and what they did? The hospital is going to put a ballon down on the 3rd Feb to widen it but he has to eat before then.? He doenst like milk so no milky drinks...and is on supplement drinks but they are milk . Any suggestions would be gratefullu recieved please. Many thanks. Brenda x

[Sqad]

Surely with this problem and his history of major surgery, then the hospital should have instructed a dietitian to attend.

Complan and other protein supplements are available, but i get back to my original point.......he needs advice from a dietitian.

[Daffy6543]

If he doesn't like milky drinks then he is going to have to eat (drink) some soups, if he can't swallow the lumps in them then someone will need to run them through a blender for him. There are many soups that have lots of protein in them.

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=build+up+soup&;newwindow=1&safe=off&tbm=shop

[ladyalex]

Agree completely with sqad.
The dietitian should be involved. They can provide lots of suuplementary drinks which come in lots of flabours and can be juicy rather than milky.
They can also give lots of advice about adding calories to ordinary foods too.
If you haven't been referred to a dietitician, contact you GP or telephone your surgeon's secretary and ask to be as a matter of urgency.
If your friend is too poorly to go to hospital they will do home visits.

[dekkypoo]

I still have the tumour in my oesophagus so I can't manage any thing 'lumpy' I have found that if I chew peanuts a lot they will get past the blockage. I'm getting about 3/4 oz of peanuts a day and my weight has started going up. Complan can be made with warm water (it's still dreadful but??) Goodluck!

[lilacben]

Many thanks for all your replies. dekkypoo I am so sorry to hear you still have your tumour....really hope they can do something more for it... get well soon. x
sqad, I know he has a dietitan..but all she says is he has got to eat meat for the protein....His wife makes soups but the dietitan says it isnt enough? And she has blended his food. Even mince she has tried to get smaller in the blender. But as I said he doesnt like smooth or lumps? I do wonder if it is mind over matter? and he is just worried he cannot swallow it.?
I will tell him about the peanuts....
Many thanks again
Brenda x

[mazie]

He may not like "smooth food" but he has to eat it. Whatever it takes to get better he should do it. It's not a matter of preference. There are so many things I don't like but if it meant I had a chance to get better I would do whatever it took

[welshlibranr]

blended smooth soups are the answer whether he likes it or not!....he needs nourishment and they can provide it, plenty of lovely veg and chicken, best chicken broth ever!.....x

[DaisyNonna]

Complan? Yuck.

[ladyalex]

It doesn't sound as though he is easy to help.....doesn't like smooth food, doesn't like lumps, doesn't like milk or milky drinks.
I do feel sympathy for him, but he has to get a hold of himself and make an effort too.
It sounds like he is angry (and who can blame him, he's been dealt a lousy hand) but going in the huff about eating things and upsetting his wife, family and friends who are all upset enough already is not the way forward .
Maybe the opportunity to talk things through with someone outside of the family might help. A MacMillan nurse, perhaps ?

[lilacben]

methyl. Thankyou so much. To know you have been through it yourself and know of the problems has really helped. I sent the link you gave me to my freind and he said it was really good...think it has helped him relaise everything he is going through is part of it and there isnt anything else wrong. Which must be always on your mind when you are feeling that poorly. I wish you all the best for the futher for you and hope everything is ok now.?
And manythanks to everyone else for your replies.
I agree he should try and make himself eat or drink the things he doesnt like just to get him well again. But in his position, and us not knowing how it feels,it is completely different.
But good news is he has managed to eat a child size meal ,mushed down and is now feeling a lot better with himself....Hopefully it will continue.Brenda x

[dekkypoo]

Iv'e made up some complan with water which I'm going to turn into "ice pops" see if I can get them down just sucking them, they'll be frozen so I won't taste the yuckydoo but at least they'll have some nourishment and fluid?? Haven't tried any yet I'll keep you posted.