Phil’s Story 

Phil is sixty-three years old, a retired primary school teacher who lives with his wife, Claire. 

Fifteen years ago, Phil faced a life-changing diagnosis: tonsillar cancer. Doctors recommended a PEG tube to help with nutrition during his treatment, and he continued to use the PEG tube for about nine months. The feeding tube helped Phil manage his nutrition and hydration through his treatment and recovery.

After treatment, Phil had the tube removed, but radiotherapy left him without saliva. Eating became difficult, but he managed for years with a soft diet. A few years ago, swallowing got harder and choking became more frequent. After talking with the hospital rehab team, Phil learned this was a common side effect of radiotherapy. The safest choice was to have the feeding tube placed once again.

Phil accepted this change with practical optimism. He said, “I can shout and scream and stamp my feet, but it won’t change anything.” Surprisingly, life actually became easier with the new feeding tube, especially as he no longer struggles to find meals he can eat.  

Deliveries of his medical nutrition and equipment arrive every month from Nutricia Homeward and that regularity gives Phil freedom. “Routine matters,” he says. “If that wasn’t secure, it would affect my confidence” and confidence is everything.

Phil explained that through the support of Nutricia Homeward, he has been able to manage his monthly orders successfully using the Nutricia Homeward MyConneX app. Before the launch of Nutricia Homeward MyConneX, Phil stated that managing supplies was more of a challenge. Being active and often out and about, he would often miss ‘stock check calls’ from the Nutricia Homeward team asking how much he required in his next order. If he wasn’t at home to answer the call, he would end up with a full order and too much equipment or medical nutrition.  

Now, the MyConneX app makes things simple. Notifications give him a ten-day window to place orders when it suits him. “It’s straightforward,” Phil says. “Once you’ve done it once, it’s the same every time.”

Phil also values the regular visits from his Homeward Nurse team. They answer questions, solve problems and respond quickly if any issues occur such as an infection or a leak. Even when a GP is needed, Nutricia Homeward helps right away. Phil says he couldn’t manage his tube feeding without that support. 

Phil and Claire love to travel but that brings new challenges, but Phil plans carefully. Last year, he spent a month abroad and with Nutricia Homewards support, he was able to arrange replacement feed in Costa Rica! That reassurance and support give him confidence to keep living life his way.

Next year, he is planning an even bigger trip, with the support of his Homeward Nurse, Emily. 

Discover more stories and experiences from Nutricia Homeward Patients