Hi please jeep on posting the more  info the better 

like dave says fascinating and informative.

best wishes

Hazel x

Thanks so much-Hazel & Jaxter- what you both said really helped us today-I told my husband & it makes sense. That's so true too about him not being dissappointed if the NGtube was 'planned' to be put in rather than him feeling he's failed-bless him he has tried so hard. Yes different teams have different ways-i might mention that to ours as that seems better to me-when I can see the impact it can have. Just to mention too he's just been started on Fentanyl patches too (long acting analgesia)-to help with the pain-as well as the Oromorph-will let you know how that goes-should help  a bit as he's been struggling. 

Can I ask Jaxter how old is your husband? Sorry to hear your 50th is at this time-you'll just have to celebrate it on your 51st! I'm 52 -just! spent my birthday having the 2 sessions of radiotherapy that day :-/  Hope he's doing ok at the moment.

Take care all Joy x

Hello Other Half

i only briefly had my ng tube and no one likes it but weighed up against taking the worry out of hydration, getting medicines down and nutrition it will be a big allievistor of stress too. I had a few days of desperation and tears after it came out as I hit a glitch and was starting to dehydrate. Because I’d had throat / tongue / soft pallet surgery the action of swallowing and the movement of liquids and mush past my raw gullet were painful and astringent. I couldn’t injest the pain relief to alleviate this in order to then make it easier. 

Your husband can still eat and drink if able to on occasion so it doesn’t take that away but once the tube is in not being able to easily won’t be as anxiety inducing as you have a fall back position. 

Wishing both of you that the days pass quickly. Think what all that nasty radiotherapy is doing to the cancer. You will recover but it won’t.....

jane x

Hi Joy

He turned 57 at the end of March, and was diagnosed 4 days later.  We're really nailing those anniversaries this year!  We were given the list of his RT appointments yesterday and on my birthday itself he's got RT and a review - woo!  I have friends with the same 'big' birthday coming up who've organised parties or booked exotic holidays.  Given what's going on I'm glad we'd planned nothing more than a take-away curry.  Although, even that's going to have to be postponed.  ;)

I'm really glad you're both feeling a bit better about the NG tube and hope the patches alleviate the pain he's feeling.  It's such a roller-coaster ride - emotionally and physically.  I think anything that makes it easier to cope with has got to be a plus.

Hi don’t worry there will be other birthdays ,as for curry’s lol they are overrated. Lol. Poached eggs are the way to go. Sorry but found s sense of humour some days was the only thing that kept me going. Just keep positive and strong remember if u can do it anyone can .

kerp in touch as and when ask any questions you may have 

off for e n t check up now , proof that the us light at the end if the tunnel.

h x

Hi Elbie brill news thank you. For using my phrases yep baby steps is still my motto back in the u k niw grey skies n rain love it. 

Remember one step forward someday and 2 steps back,

yes agree thread has got very busy with the next people who are just starting treatment.we are a small band but let’s stick together and will get everyone through this 

treatment horrid recovery slow results good keep that though 

ps good re lung as well

h x

Hello all- So I spent all yesterday convincing my husband how the NG tube will be so much better & better post next chemo etc-thougfht I'd convinced him-he was really down & against it at 1st-so go in today for treat ment, saw the nurse specialist who tols us he's not having it now! AARRGGHH! As he's not ill enough! Yes you can imagine how I felt-yes Jaxter it really is an emotional roller coaster enough as it is without the team not communicating properly (the dieticain told us we'd have it today-yesterday). Anyway there you go-not very impressed.

On the plus side the Fentanyl patch is working well-think it's more psychological to be honest as it takes a few days to work fully-but if it works it works! He's just having the ensures at the moment as it's easier & he gained about a pound from just yesterday (another reason they said no to the NG).

Will see how we go- one thing is how things seem to change so quickly-it's not even daily-it's hourly. 

Well on the countdowm-6 more rads to go (yayy) I'm going to be son emotional on the lastday when he rings the bell-I well up everyday people ring it as it is & I don't even know them. A guys daughter was looking at me the other day-I'm crying about her dad who I don't know from Adam-like a crazy woman & she's not!

That was so lovely what you wrote Jane- that you will recover but the cancer won't- that made me cry too-but then I do that a lot at the moment-I used to be quite a normal person...

Anyway thanks again all-so good to read all your threads.Take care Joy x

Hi there Elbie and great news about Mick and his progress so far. Its definitely true that baby steps are the order of day and to give all those Newbies whove joined this great group recently there us light at the end of the tunnel. My hubby is now 3 years post chemoradiation and neck dissection and we can honestly say that life is no longer all about cancer. Yes our normal is a little different to how it was but we are out there living our lives and enjoying the second chance we’ve been given. 

Paul can now eat everything he did before including the holy grail of crusty baguette yes he dies need to gave water at hand and make sure he doesnt do a lazy swallow but we can go to a restaurant with friends.He can taste most things - his likes have changed and super sweet or cold things turn his taste buds off but compared to where we were 2 years ago this us fab.He is running 4 miles most days and now hes on thyroxine- his thyroid has been damaged by the radiotherapy- his energy levels are good. No his golf swing and tennis serve arent great anymore from the neck surgery but to be honest they weren’t great anyway but dont tell him

So hang in there everyone - you will get there and we can look back now and say the pain and anxiety were definitely worth it - Life is good ! 

Best wishes to everyone and Im here to answer any questions if you need me.

Emma xx

Great stuff Elbie and always fab to hear good positive news.
Glad you have found the thread and blogs helpful and I like your using my oft quote of light at the end of the tunnel.
It is pretty challenging at times, but you get through it and its worth it at the end when you see the light shining. 

Onwards & Upwards
Ian