Recovering from chemo radiation for squamous CC base tongue

My mother is 9 weeks post chemo radiation for squamous cell carcinoma in her lymph node (size approx 5cmx4cm) primary site base of tongue. She had her tonsils removed. But it's 9 weeks since end of treatment and won't eat. She had ng tube for a few weeks but she got a steroid which made her eat for 2 weeks, they had to stop the steroid as the effects of it were too risky to use long term. Now she's off the steroid again she's back to not eating. It's mentally draining for our whole family. She's still in hospital since December but going downhill with no nutrition. Constant infections. How can we get her to eat? Does it ever get better? 
ps. The consultant did say when she was diagnosed that it was curable but she hasn't had her post treatment pet scan yet. 

  • A very warm welcome to the Cancer Chat forum Vivi although I'm really sorry to hear about your mother.

    It must be very difficult to see her like this but hopefully her medical team can get her to start eating again. We have some tips and advice for managing diet problems and putting on weight on our website just here but if you'd like to discuss any of this with one of our cancer nurses, you can give them a call on 0808 800 4040. Their phone lines are open Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m and they'll do all they can to help.

    I'm sure some of our members who have been in a similar position with their loved ones will offer their support and advice to you soon as well but in the meantime, we're sending all our strength your way and will have our fingers crossed your mother starts to get better soon. 

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • My mum has been diagnosed with the same thing. Hasn't eaten since January, spent weeks in hospital until there was a proper diagnosis. NG tube fitted but not tolerable due to where the tumour is located so had a peg fitted. Treatment was supposed to start but now they can't do radiation. She's been in Christie's as had an infection so out back treatment and then sent back home to recover after infection and then ended up back in hospital again as the tumour is making its way down her airway so they have had to put in a tracheostomy. My mums treatment is now due to start on Monday it's immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) she has to have this every 3 weeks and it can go on for 2 years. This just seems like such a long time honestly don't know what to think heads a mess.