Hi LesBeatrix, good to hear from you and glad  you found some of my experiences of use. As you are aware, each individual reacts differently to the treatment and things can change quickly. You will see in my reply to Emma's post, that I seem to be having a relatively easy time of it at the moment, but remain confident that 42 years of my wife's cooking has prepared my digestive system for just about anything. Only joking!

Regarding weight loss, I came into the Tonsil situation on the back of seven months inactivity with a repeadedly dislocating shoulder. Immediately after being discharged from a rectifying op ( which I had to pay for as the NHS could not carry out until July this year)  I went to see the Consultant who enrolled me into the Tonsil club. During this period of inactivity my weight went up to 16 stones, so I entered the procedures well padded, though at 6' 2" I can carry it off. I have lost only about 4 lb so far. In fact, I have got into trouble after each chemo session as I have put on too much weight during the procedure and naturally they are worried where it was going. I have always suffered with hospital and white coat syndromes - all bowel and urinary functions close down on the sight of either. Both return to normal when five miles away from the hospital, which has led to a couple of tricky moments when stuck in the Birmingham traffic. I am awaiting CCTV images from West Midland Police.

One thing I forgot to mention is the mouth exercises. If you have not started them yet, then do so - they have stood me in good stead. Also do not do what I did and forget to carry a large supply of tissues at all times - I have found the mucus merciless.

It is really good to chat with positive people who are at different stages on the Road to recovery - we can help each other get through a challenging time. Please keep your chin up and if it starts to wobble, let me know and I will hopefully be able to say something useful. Have to go, my wife wants an explanattion for the new camera just delivered by Amazon. I have decided to use my downtime to renew an old interest interest in photography, as well as booking the microlight training course I promised myself 30 years ago. I have no doubt you have plenty of distractions in progress or available, Australia in particular. Will write again soon. Keep smiling and keep me posted.

Best wishes

John.

Hi John

glad you found it useful - by the way my hubby is a Baggie supporter so isnt it a coincidence that youre a Dingle ! 

Best wishes

Emma

Hi Emma, this could be a whole new breakthrough. Tonsil cancer caused by stress of supporting rubbish football teams - nothing to do with alcohol or tobacco. It would be interesting to see a UK map of where this cancer is.

Best wishes

John

Hi LesBeatix, have just reread your post and a couple of things come to mind. First, was your first session yesterday - if so, how did you get on? No, I did not wear a mouth guard, but had to get the all clear at the dental hospital beforehand. 

I should have mentioned the amount of medication you will have to take home - our house is like a Boots pharmacy. I have had to find room for seemingly vast quantities of pills and potions, most of which have not been needed. The real pain was when the pharmacist delivered the first monthly quota of fortijuice drinks - 120 bottles!

Best wishes

John

Hi John and les

john I had a little chuckle at you chemist shop post as I remember those days well

i think I had had 5 4 doeses of Tomotherapy then went in for 8 hour’s of chemo .... during this first day of chemo they brought me all the anti sickness and chemo drugs that I would be taking that following week ...... two full plastic bags of it

then during that week the bloke turned up with a pallet full of fortified drinks

funny days

i also wrote a blog page on it gammaraygary.wordpress.com/.../

i ended up having to buy myself a little set of plastic drawers to put beside my bed ... it’s gone now thank god

Let us know how you are both getting on and ask anything I’m sure we have most of the answers on her between us

vatch

Hi John 

good win for the baggies yesterday and the Wolves seem to be flying! I can remember a lorry turning up and filling our shed with fortijuice and huge bottles of tube feed that looked like cold tea and smelt like gone off milk ! We had to put a teatowel over the pump as Paul couldnt bear to look at. On the plus side we had a great back pack we could put the feed and pump in so he could get outand go to work and take it to his radiotherapy sessions.

best wishes

Emma

Hi Vatch

Thank you for posting - reading it made things much clearer for me - and I am so overjoyed for you and your family that you are out the other side and 3 + years clear, gives me some hope.  Wishing you every good wish for continued good health and much happiness in the years to come;)

Les

thanks for you kind words

there are many of us on here that live to tell our tales

it does take time after treatment, a good six months for me and there are adjustments to make, but nothing major .... more staying away from too spiced food for me ... but everyone is different in their recovery and changes post treatment

keep us all up to date and shout when you want to, there is always someone on here to listen and help

all the best going forward

vatch

Hi John,

My husband, also John, has SCC which drew me to your post. His original tumor was sitting on his left clavicle. He went through six weeks of radiation after surgery, and they did radiate his throat. They gave him a lidocaine mouthwash to help with the pain, but hesaid it never lasted very long. I would buy him big milkshakes with lots of calories, and he liked those. Last year, the cancer returned closer to his armpit, and he had four weeks of proton treatments. The proton treatment s had less side effects. I hope you are continuing to have minimal side effects.

Much hope,

Louise

Hi Emma, sorry for delay in responding - for somebody with not a lot to do, I've managed to find no time to do it. Good win for Baggies, but a shame you will be swapping divisions with us next season. 

Last radiotherapy for me tomorrow, so will then be turning attention to the 3 1/2 months before I find out what effect the treatment has had. Will shamelessly continue to,pump you for you husband's experiences and recommendations. Thanks. John