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Stage 4 NSC Squamous Cell Lung Cancer - Radiotherapy????

Ditzee
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Could anyone please give some advice on their experiences of radiotherapy treatment?  My husband is newly diagnosed.  Had a brief call today from Macmillan nurse regarding results of EBUS.  Was initially told that due to the stage of cancer chemotherapy would be only option for treatment.  Been told today that 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy alongside chemo may now be an option.  The MDT are meeting this Thursday to discuss in detail. 

My husband is extremely reticent about any radiotherapy treatment.  We live almost 1.5 hours from the hospital and do not have our own transport which would mean having to request Patient Transport. We know you have to be ready 2 hours before PT are due to pick you up and again can wait up to 2 hours after treatment before transport home meaning that on top of treatment he could spend potentially 4 hours waiting for transport and 3 hours per day in a car/ambulance.  Would I be allowed to accompany him every day?  How long does the actual treatment last for in the hospital? What are the side effects? Does anyone regret or not regret having the treatment? 

Sorry there is an awful lot of information we are asking for but feel it would help him decide upon which course of treatment he should take.  Chemotherapy is available nearer home and would reduce travelling time and we know it is given in cycles. Is this less stressful to the body and has anyone taken this option before trying radiotherapy?

Thank you.

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    Hiya....

    I know how you feel..I was the same with my hubby..he has stage IV throat cancer (diagnosed in Jan) He had all his treatment at a cancer centre in London..18 weeks of Chemo and 6 weeks every day of radiotherapy (apart from weekends...we used transport and I went with him everyday...when you book just say with escort...The transport wasn’t bad at all..they would pick us up roughly an hour before and we really didn’t have to wait long to come home either..all his treatment is finished now and he will get his final results on the 12th of this month..

    I’m here if you need to chat 

    Tina

  • Offline in reply to TinaDL

    Hi Tina

    Thank you for quick reply.  My husband will possibly be having treatment at a hospital in Leeds. Good to know that I should hopefully be able to accompany him.  It sounds as though you and your hubby have been through the mill with attending treatment.  I hope he is feeling better after the treatment? How was he feeling in general when having radiotherapy daily? Did your hubby lose his appetite and lose weight? I hope you get the results you are hoping for on the 12th and I will check on the forum for the good news.

    I would like to ask some more questions tomorrow if you are available Tina?

    Many thanks.

    Debbie 

  • Offline in reply to Ditzee

    Hi Debbie..

    My hubby is doing so well at the moment and he feels so much better not having to take any medication now apart from carbocisteine which helps with the secreations in his throat due to the radiotherapy..

    My hubby was tired all the time and spent most of his time in bed..he also suffered with sickness..which is part of the chemo/radiotherapy treatment and had the side effects (which were explained to us) blisters in the mouth..couldn’t eat, drink etc but he had the TORS biopsy in the throat which was quite brutal and he couldn’t eat for months and had to have a nasal feeding  tube fitted that he had for a good few months..he lost about 3 stone..he lived on fortisip and ensure shakes and was also on a feeding machine through the night just to help put the weight back on..

    The only downside about the radiotherapy for him was the severe burns on his neck (bit like a nappy rash) which was very painful..He was told this would happen before the treatment started so we got some cream from the Drs he  applied it a week before treatment and everyday  from then onwards..it did help a lot as we were told that other people suffered a whole lot worse..(I know everyone  is different and my hubbys cancer is in the neck and throat) once all the treatment had finished his neck heeled within a week..

    He had to have 15 minutes a day of radiotherapy but once his treatment finished he did feel quite lost from going to the hospital everyday to nothing! That’s when his mind starting working over time and was slightly depressed..he was like this for a good few weeks but now he looks and feels completely normal...he has all his hair back and has a lot more energy..nasal tube was removed 3 weeks ago and is eating soft foods..I’m so proud of him! He is a big fighter and doesn’t let anything defeat him in life..but it’s been one long emotional journey for us as family (4 daughters and a granddaughter) we stayed strong together and as soon we see him down we would lift him again as giving up is not an option!

    We have everything crossed for the 12th and we all feel so positive..

    He really can’t wait to go back to work.

    sorry if I’ve been rambling on lol...I feel like I’ve had to educate myself with all this as my hubby wouldn’t read much about it but I found it helped me get through it all mentally 

    best wishes

    Tina

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