Hi Simon,

I would have thought wine was less harsh than scotch. I assume its the alcohol content that burns.

The good thing for me is that I can taste it quite well. A lot of quite nice red is grown locally.

Do you run just for fitness or more competitively? I did quite a bit when younger and I think being fairly fit

helped me through recovery.

Colin

Hi Gary and Colin,

I used to run in the odd race a few years ago but my running was mainly to keep fit. Up until last June I was averaging 4 or 5 six-mile runs per week. I haven't been able to run since the treatment finsihed - my mouth and throat would dry instantly due to a lack of saliva. I now have a spinning cycle machine indoors which I use regularly - the trick for me is to do exercise that doesn't require me to open my mouth in order to breath. Like you, Colin, I think that my good level of fitness helped me cope with the RT/CT.

The real issue for me now is the ongoing night-sweats (which were back with a vengeance last night) - they are really beginning to get me down.

Good luck to you both.

Nicola - you're the leader of the gang!

Simon XX

Simon, I only run and cycle for fitness but done the ring of kerry on a bikevlast year and was training for Liverpool Rock n Roll marathon when diagnosed. Had lump, tonsil , partial neck dissection 2 and half weeks ago. Ran 5 miles today and cycled 20 earlier in week. Was walking two days post op. I don't think I will be doing this post radio/chemo but there are people out there who get back. It just appears to take time. Does running with a water bottle help? I may invest in a turbo trainer. I hope to take gentle excercise as long into therapy as I can even if its only a walk. I agree with Colin that fitness must help. But if you are active being laid up drives you mad ! I hope you get over night sweats mate. Is this common. Sounds a pain in the ***. And yes Nic is the leader. You are getting a little posse together. Post treatment Im hoping to get together with Access from Branchial cyst thread to buy him a beer. Will let you know where in case any of you fancy it.

Regards, Gary

Simon, I quite like the title of 'leader' !! I started this thread back in August when I was first diagnosed, never did I realise back then what a help this site would be. I've made many virtual friends and I found this site was a huge help to release and share thoughts and feelings and tips through the worst times.

It's lovely to hear that you will perhaps meet up with someone from the other thread Gary, I'm in Bristol. It's a shame that we're all probably so far apart as it would be good to have a support group going. I've often considered setting something up in Bristol for head and neck cancer patients as there appears to be nothing available at the moment.

I too believe that a good health and fitness to begin with aids recovery. I do not exercise as such but I used to and I'm a fairly active person being a single mum to a two year old. I firmly believe that my good health assisted my physical recovery from the surgery and also the chemo/RT. I had a mini celebration with friends last night to mark the end of a difficult time. I had a glass of champagne and a glass of wine, both tasted very sharp as everything does for me now, but I drank it anyway. I was determined! The tongue was fairly sore this morning though! Perhaps I'll try some red next time as Colin suggests. If anyone deserves to enjoy a drink it's us after all we have endured!

Nicola xx

Simon, sorry to hear that the night sweats are getting you down, I know that would get me down too, but it sounds as if this is being taken seriously. When I visited my GP about the sweating I was experiencing I was told that its just one of those things and they wouldn't investigate as it could be caused by anything such as being too hot! As it appears to be on and off for me I haven't pursued it yet but I will if I need to. I suppose a through back to the chemo is a possibility but as your chemo finished some months ago you'd hope they would have settled down now. I really hope there is an answer for you and that this can be rectified. Glad to hear the PET scan was ok too - what a relief!

Colin and Gary, thanks for the insurance tips, somebody else on another thread also recommended Insure With so I will keep them in mind when the time comes.

Speak soon,

Nicola xx

Hi Nicola. Champagne wow! Go girl. In going for a beer to watch the Liverpool game tomorrow. I don't know Ill feel like it much in therapy so will enjoy every drop. Been for s walk with some friends and kids along Formby coast. Ate like a horse as trying to bulk up before Rt and ct. hope I can still walk a little in treatment! Just for the fresh air. The guy I want to see lives in Sunderland but he has been a great help to me. And one thing I have atm is a bit of time although my trip may be in recovery post treatment. Me and some of the people from the thread are going to look at a centralish location.

Ive spent a bit of time in Bristol in the past and always enjoyed it as well as the surrounding areas. A lot of historical links with Liverpool which I wont bore you with.

I had unexplained night sweats last week. Minor I would imagine compared to yours and Simons but bloody annoying so I hope you get some relief. Ot gos without saying if any of you are in Liverpool with you familys shout me up and Ill show you around.

(ps fashion/grooming update obtained barbour manbag for therapy for moiturizer,books etc)

Regards, G.

Take your iPod as well mate , cos it gets boring listening to people complaining about transport and anything else to do with their treatment etc when we all get the most fantastic treatment for free !

Ferry

Ferry. Good point If anyone bleats too much I would direct them to a US discussion site. No insurance no treatment. Insurance companies constantly challenging Drs over need for scans etc. NHS ain't perfect but its there for all. I pod charged but think only doing 3 days ct. And got Netflix on phone. Hospital got Wi fi!

thanks

Hi Gary ,

This is true. I have been going to the states for about 25 years and worked in Washington for about 2 years.

The US medical system is all about making money and it shows. When I had pneumonia last year and went

to hospital, the first question was 'How are you going to pay?'.  My wife had pneumonia about 10 years ago.

She fainted while they were examining her.  We were walking out (I was more or less carrying her) and  were shouted

at. 'You haven't paid'.  The doctor complained 'your wife frightened my nurse'

This year I had 3 stiches removed from my back. A 5 minute job. 85 dollars! Paid up front before being allowed to see the nurse

I can't understand why the majority are against any form of national health service.

The CEO's of health insurance companies are paid on average between 10 and 20 million a year. I nearly said earned!

I wonder where all that money comes from!  Rhetorical

Colin