Radiotherapy for Throat Cancer

Hello all,

I have posted my little story on introduce yourself and basically I have been diagnosed with Stage 1 Throat cancer.

The prognosis is hopeful and I remain cheerful and positive. Its taken a while for the actual treatment to start so glad to get on with it at last.

I started my first day of radiotherpy today and have 29 more treatments to go over 6 week period.
I have made a little computer programme that logs my side effects and summarises episodes of each heading and I plan on keeping a daily log of how things went/ how I feel ( good and bad ) and map out my journey. I find it therapuetic.

I will share periodically in the hope that even if it helps one person as well as myself  it will be worthwhile.

So day 1 was fine and I dont really feel any difference or notice anything.
One small point is that the mask made was slightly harder than when it was first made as it has set little harder over the weeks and was a little more moveable on the day made.
Took about 10 mins for actual radiotherpay treatment itself.
Drove home fine.

Meet with advanced practioner nurse every Thurs to discuss progress.
Aware might be a little different along the way but all good after day 1.

 

kind regards

Ian

 

  • Hi Bigdrez,

    You will see from comments from others that we all went through the same side effects and this is perfertly normal albeit not pleasant.

    Do what you can at this stage to get some high calories in and what I was advised by my dietician.
    There is a time and place for high fat/high calorie content and now is the time for you
    It's really difficult i know but any little helps if you can manage.

    Please try and take more water if you can.
    This will help hydrate you, use your throat muscles and help a little with the mucas.
    Mucas is unpleasant but doesnt last that long in the big scheme of things,

    mints etc from our blogs also may help a little and I have posted a link to my blog for ease of reference and may give you some timelines and expecations for the coming weeks ahead.
    We are all different but most of us on here had similiar side effects at your stage.

    radiotherapythroat.home.blog

    Hang in there my friend and although it's tough right now, it will slowely get better and the light at the end of the tunnel is there for you as well

    regards
    Ian

     

  • Hi I just wanted to say I found the throat exercises helped a lot with trying to swallow 

  • Hi just thought I’d drop in to say I had my petscan results and in remission:) it’s been tough with ongoing issues but so worth it now out the other side. I checked this thread thoughout so many times for  info and im truly grateful. Wondering how u are doing now with side effects ? To anyone on this treatment I wish you well. It’s tough but bearable

  • Hi Kat planet. Well done on results   I'm  3 years now can eat most foods fir me spicy snd curry's are a no no. I also get ulcers from time to time done tones they pop up when I try new food. I also get burning tongue sensation but nothing I can't live with. If I say we're on long holiday in Spain  snd I'm cycling  60 km most days that tells you how I'm doing. Onwards n upwards 

    keep popping on for advise  

    Hazel x

     

  • We are all slightly different I came out of it quite well I can eat anything and only suffer from a dry throat, chicken and bread can be a slow chew but that's about it.

     

    Dave

  • Hi Hazel I told you Ole was rubbish he won't last much longer... I hope

  • Hi Dave was just going to message the same. Thjnk 3 more games and he will be gone. If not sooner. How are you ? Xx

  • I'm good thanks check ups every 3 months and seem happy with me, hope you are doing well too take care x

  • Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing ok. I'm just providing a little update after you were all so helpful during the excruciatingly long diagnosis/pre-treatment stage for my partner's tonsil cancer. 

    Bloody hell, what a whirlwind of activity and emotion it's been these past weeks! My partner has just finished the 5th week of radiotherapy - just 2 more weeks and third dose of cisplatin to go! He's doing so well considering how tough this is - everything tastes metallic, eating is really hard so very glad he has RIG fitted for those delicious Ensures! He's not on any painkillers yet, but I think that will change next week. He was very fortunate to be accepted into a clinical trial, so he gets immunotherapy treatment before and for 6 months after treatment. The extra support from the clinical research nurses has been so helpful (particularly as our Macmillan nurse is rubbish!) 

    I also wanted to say that we have been reading the blogs by Radioactive Raz and Ian together. These have been so incredibly helpful when things were feeling difficult. Such a boost to read detailed experiences of others - thank you so much for these guys!

    I'd say the hardest thing right now is managing mental health issues. Covid obviously adding a heavier weight on both our shoulders, plus we've only recently moved to a new area and don't yet have any local friends. We're feeling pretty isolated, so hoping to attend some group activities at our local Maggie's centre once he's feeling recovered in a month or so. Onwards we go, shuffling slowly forwards...

  • Hi there,

    thats an encouraging post considering treatment and glad he is doing so well.

    Unusual to be at week 5 without any pain medication but we are all different but always remeber that its there for a purpose and definately served me well.

    Glad you found both Hazel and I's blogs helpful as we both intended as we still do, to help, encourage and support anyone who is going through our similar treatments.

    We do forget the mental health side of things sometimes and witth Covid lurking about, it;s an added agnst.

    Stay positive and as upbeat as you can and remember we are only a message away if you need to talk or ask any advice you think we can help with.

     

    Keep drinking plenty of water and as much as you can and remember the light at the end of the tunnel

    Onwards and Upwards
    Ian