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Maintaining nutrition after having radiotherapy for oesophageal cancer. My partner is really struggling with his diet and I'm running out of ideas

P.Jan.
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My partner finished 20 sessions of radiotherapy for oesophageal cancer 13 das ago. He had managed really well, but is now struggling with his diet. He needed a feeding tube, but the discomfort and irritation of it made him gag and wretch so much the tube was removed. I am trying to maintain his weight, but running out of ideas. He cannot tolerate any warm food apart from fish in sauce. He is also a very fussy eater… does not like custard, milk puddings, pasta, cheese. I’m giving him complan drinks and fortisip. Has anyone got any suggestions of cold foods that can be mashed/liquidised that have decent nutritional values? He is refusing to have a further feeding tube.

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    Hello P.Jan., 

    Well done to your partner for getting through those 20 sessions of radiotherapy for oesophageal cancer though I am sorry to hear he is struggling with his diet. It's difficult to know what to do to ensure he maintains his weight and all this must be so stressful for you but on our website you will find helpful tips for putting on weight and you will also find a page on high calorie drinks. It is also worth reading our information on eating problems with oesophageal cancer which includes soft diet suggestions - in fact we also have a whole section on soft diet meals and tips. It might be a good idea to talk to his medical team about this too or a dietitian and seeing what they recommend you do and if they have any further suggestions for you of cold foods that can be mashed or liquidised. 

    Many members of our community have been in your position before having to look into soft diet options due to oesophageal cancer treatment and they may have some good tips for you based on their personal experiences. I hope that someone will be along shortly and share their thoughts with you on what worked best for them and had decent nutritional values and high calorie content.

    If you would like to talk things through with our cancer nurses, feel free to give them a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.  

    I hope that you manage to find some foods that he will enjoy and that things will quickly improve for him.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator 

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    I too have oesophageal cancer and have a J tube.  I have not eaten proper food since August and during treatment of chemo and radiotherapy was completely nauseous, hospitalised 3 times on a drip and bed ridden till a few days ago.  Also lost my dog on 16 December and he was almost 17.  I am divorced, no friends, no longer able to work and not able to go to the gym.  Life is difficult.  My advice is to stick with the feeding and gradually start introducing new foods.. everything will taste weird for some time and you will probably feel sick finishing eating.  My first choice would be plain Hula Hoops or Chipsticks, boiled sweets particularly lemon, currant bread/scone or toast.  Things you may never liked or eaten before may become appealing.  Just try.. don’t give up.  I am at rock bottom hoping for support with grief and surgery for its removal in January when my stomach is going to be used as a oesophagus.  I am scared, worried about the pain, completely alone and trying to keep my head above water.. my best fried(dog) now gone and it’s very very hard.  Good luck and stay strong and keep reaching out to us all.  Sue 

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