Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) is a relatively rare form of cancer that most commonly develops in the salivary glands or other regions of the head and neck. ACC can occur in other parts of the body, such as the breast, skin, cervix in females, prostate gland in males, and various other areas. To learn more click here.

A total Glossectomy is the surgical removal of the tongue.

Please click here to learn more, NOTE: although this paper was written at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton it does provide a wealth of information.

PEG stands for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy, a procedure in which
a flexible feeding tube is placed through the abdominal wall and into
the stomach. PEG allows nutrition, fluids and/or medications to be put
directly into the stomach, bypassing the mouth and esophagus.

See the Wikipedia for more info.

Voice banking requires special software in order to record a large sampling of a
person’s speech that is then consolidated to create a synthetic voice that approximates their natural speaking voice.

The ModelTalker speech synthesis system uses recorded speech to create a unique
synthetic and natural-sounding personal voice. This can be used in communication
devices that provide voice output. In this case, the speaker can spell and create unique messages which are spoken in a voice that approximates one’s natural speech, instead of it being a foreign computer-synthesized voice.

For more information, visit the
ModelTalker website here.

If you are unable to swallow due to your surgery you may be required to have a portable suction machine before leaving the hospital. This machine is used to suction any secretions from your mouth such as saliva build up.

These machine can either be rented on a monthly basis or purchased outright if the need for one is long term.

Please visit the MedPro website here, and speak to a representative for a quote on your unit today

The answer is yes, the process is fairly easy.

As you will need to have a supply of bandages, gauze pads and cleaning solutions, Saline is actually one that can be made at home, see below for the recipe;

– 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) salt
– 1 cup (225 ml) water

– Boil for 5 min with the lid on

– Set the pot aside until it cools to room temperature then pout the normal saline from the pot into a jar or bottle and put a lid on it

You may double or triple this recipe if you need more saline each day

Call you Family Doctor or the Nursing Phone Line at 8-1-1 if you;

– Have questions about feeding tube site care

– Have questions about medications

– Have questions about managing side effects from treatment

Call your Dietitian if you;

– Are not tolerating you tube feeding schedule

– Are losing or gaining weight

– Have questions about tube feeding supplies, or switching to a different formula

An ‘AirVo2’ is a medical humidified system that provides heated humidified ais to the lungs via the mouth or the Trach.

This is normally worn at night and sometimes during the day is needed,

Click here to see a video on the unit

You can purchase or rent one of these units from eithere MedPro or Vital Aire

The answer is Yes, there are just a few things to keep in mind when preparing your own tube meals;

1. Ensure you have the correct balance of calories and daily requirements in your meals, for this reach out to you dietitian for guidance
2. You must have a food processor of blender that is capable of blending all your ingredients into small enough size so it will flow easily through your PEG tube, we us the Vitamix A2500 and find this to be perfect for getting the right consistency
3.  Food stored in the fridge must be used up within 48 hrs
4. You can make batches of food and store in the freezer
5. We use 500 ml mason jars to store our food in