Hi All

Not sure how to do a general post so I'll try the reply route. My husband was diagnosed with cancer at the base of the tongue in June after a delay. He has had two lots of chemo, one more to go and then the dreaded RT. Didn't know anything about it until the consultant apt on Tuesday which came as a big shock. 
reading this has been really helpful with all the tips fir potions and potions and meds. But it seems like a complete rollercoaster. He didn't cope well with chemo and was v nauseous so worried this might be the case with RT. He also won't take the protein drinks as they make him nauseous but he has already lost  a stone before he even starts. Once it gets going I'm sure I'll be posting and any advice would be more than welcome 

jane 

Hi Jane 

sorry you've found yourself on here but you've come to the right place. Radiotherapy is tough but if I can do it anyone can. The nausea is mostly caused by chemo . Regard to the weight loss to be totally honest the radiotherapy team will be on at him like a ton of hot bricks. You can't loose weight during treatment has he been offered a peg or a n g tube ? If so hope he hadn't refused them as he will undoubtedly loose more weight. Once he's lost  10 % of hus body weight the mask will cause problems that needs to be a snug fit for targeting. No one likes the high calorie supplements but it's a case of keeping calories up by eating and keeping hydrated. He will have a dietician on his case as well. I'm not bro g cruel just honest as we've been there done it. I was told 2500 calories plus  min 3 litres of water a day ti flush the toxins. When you csnt physically swallow which towards end of treatment csn happen what follows csn be hospitalisation  I'm sure you don't want. His your hubby  h p v positive  do you know ? 
I'm fast approaching 3 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer now

any questions just ask

good luck Hazel 

my blog is www.radioactiveraz.Wordpress.com if May help xx 

Hi Jane, 

Welcome to Cancer Chat.

I noticed you said you weren't sure how to start your own discussion so I just wanted to share our handy guide on how to do this.

I hope this helps and I look forward to seeing you around the forum soon :happy:

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Jane,

Not sure if same person who has justemailed me recently ( ian aka Anchor 1707 on here ) but I echo Hazels advice and hubby will need fuel in body during and especially after treatment when in recovery.

None of us liked the supplement drinks and Hazel and myself used to liken them to the Bushtrucker trials but they are for your own good and you kind of get used to them. There are different flavours and perhaps might be one that hubby likes better than others. I preferred banana and hated vanilla and coundt take so trial and error. I used to keep in fridge and have cold which made it better but I didnt have a PEG fitted.
As Hazel says the dietician and support team will closely monitor his weight.
I used to look upon food and supplements when I struggled to eat as medicine rather than food or something i enjoyed and was more of a necessity.

Ive posted link to my blog and you will find plenty of support and advice on here as you nudge through the journey.
Has its challenges, especially in recovery, but so many of us on here got through it and as I often said there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Stay as positive as you can and let us know if we can help in any way

radiotherapythroat.home.blog

regards
ian

The drinks and practically everything tastes horrible for a while because the RT damages the taste buds but eating as much as possible although difficult is a must for recovery, in my worst week I lost 8 lbs and had to do something so I bought a swimmers nose clip so I couldent taste anything and never looked back, from that point I slowly started to gain weight.

hope this helps, Dave

Thanks for all the welcomes. I have read Ian's and Hazels and Daves posts and they are so informative. Bronwen, we had an unbearable wait too as the original diagnosis was thyroid. Surgery was talked of but then changed to chemo ( to get the neck swelling down) and then RT. I may be wrong but I think RT is the best chance of a cure? . There is so much processing to be done and everything is a worry. It certainly takes its toll. My husband is 71 and after Covid taken a year out now this. this is a great resource to share experiences and Hazel and Ian have blogs too which are well worth reading. Although ibviiusky not everyone is the same. X 

Hi bronwen

take  a deep breath chemo radiation is the way to go. It's not easy but if I at 61 when diagnosed can do it anyone can. The time deal isn't a huge concern the main concern is getting the area targeted once mask us made everything falls into place.  I was 63 days but if u think about it we were in Spain for 9 weeks and I found the lump on day 1   By time treatment started I had several lumps onky one of which I could feel . If you want to private chat send  mr friend request.  Am  3 years post radiotherapy on the 31 st living my life  to max

Hazel xc
 

RT is absolutely the best chance of cure and treatment is so advanced now and very scientifuc and will pinpoint exactly areas to be treated etc.

The success rates and statistics for cure are really high and going through this thread alone  you will see so many of support each other and come through with good news stories.

Plenty of help and support here as treatment / recovery progresses.
One point I made in my blog is that you are important too and although hubby goes through treatment, you are an integral part of his journey and also have your own worries and concerns so we are here for you too.

regards

Ian

A huge thank you to all of you for your speedy responses. It really helps so much to hear from people who are / have gone through this. I have been sharing your stories and support with my partner and it gives us great solace. (He's staying away from t'internet as there's so much online that isn't helpful!)

You're so right that there is so much to take on board, and it keeps changing each week. I'm sure we'll be back in touch when he finally gets started on his treatment. Distraction is such an art form! 

And thanks Ian about your kind words about partners. It's so tough when I feel like there's nothing I can do (apart from cooking up a storm!)