Dundee is in demand again! Traces tv show gave  me great memories of Tayport in the 80s.

I'm over next week, big brother's  proper funeral as 2 years ago was a 9 person covid farce. 

I may be back again but like you all, diary full as we all catching  up, wedding ( every year there one of herself's multitude) Donegal  Aug, Dublin  concert/:wedding Anniversary  Sept, Madrid  Nov. Need to work in between, damn. not away late Aug Ian gimme a shout.   

Happy Easter to all on the forum,together we are stronger. 

Hi Graeme hope all goes as well as it can go and gave happy memories if your brother. 
hugs H yes stronger together we all are. 
Hazel finally in the beach day 46

h xx

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with Tonsil cancer a cpl of months ago and Friday was day 13 of radiotherapy so on Tuesday I will already be 1/2 way :) I had Chemo on day 1 and will have 1 more on 25th.

I felt a bit 'yuk' after the chemo but not too bad and was doing ok until day 10 when my tongue was sore. The last few days got quite bad quite quickly. I'm struggling to eat but still managing if I persevere (my wife is making sure I do!). Worst right now is the lack of or very thick saliva and a sore throat. It is manageable during the day by sipping water non stop but at night I am up constantly needing to drink and if I go longer than 20 mins or so without water/swallowing my throat is extremely painful. Any advice on the sleeping part appreciated - it's been 3 nights now with v little sleep. I've just ordered a humidifier.

Given the pain now, I'm trying not to think how much worse it will get. 

I've tried to read as much of this thread as possible and appreciate all the info and advice.

Robert

Hey Robert, 

I Would look at getting in touch with your Mcmillan nurse and see about increasing your pain relief even for a temporary period, my wife had hers increased periodically. Good luck pal, her thick saliva disappeared as quickly as it showed up, but the humidifier and nebuliser helped a lot. The xymelts she put on her gums during the night also gave her some relief

Hi there Robert,

So sorry to hear about the pain increase. It's around that time in the treatment that my partner's pain increased. Like Pathos suggested - get your pain meds increased. Make sure your radiotherapy team know about the pain - they can prescribe higher strength oral morphone if you're not already on it? It really helped my partner.

Some other things that helped my partner with sleeping: sitting up in bed, and having dry mouth gel/mouthwash next to him to use in the night when you wake up (the team can prescribe this). Pain management also helped with sleep.

You say you're struggling with eating - have you got a feeding tube? Or have you been prescribed any Ensure/shakes yet? Your team will be able to arrange a prescription for the shakes. My partner started by drinking the shakes a couple of times a day, before moving onto the feeding tube. They're not particularly delicious, but we were so glad to have them during treatment and for months afterwards. He just finished his last Ensure before going out to play football - it was quite emotional!

Sending you our wishes and I'm sure others will have more tips and suggestions. We're here whenever you need us.

Robert

Totally agree with Pathos and good advice re pain medication.

Thick salivia is a horrible side effect that we all had but trust me it does go away.
Your timeframe is normal as not much happens with the first 2 weeks radiotherapy and then the side effects start to kick in.

Speak to specialist nurse asap and they can organise the appropriate meds for pain management.

No need to really suffer in great pain as it one thing they can manage. Few of us were the same but I can only go by my experience and on 3rd week I had to have my morphine dose upped.

You can get MST tablets and take one in morning and one at night so morphine in system 24 hrs plus you can also top up with oral morphine when required and little more help needed. It works.

Tough just now and recovery is challenging but try and get the pain under control and that should also help your sleep.
Specialist nurse may also be able to lend you nebuliser etc as they organised all that for me.

I wish you well and know how tough it can be but there is light at the end of the tunnel so hang in my friend and you will get through this journey.

Drinking water is great and helps during recovery and one of my mantras but please dont suffer uncessarily with pain and morphine can be precribed at a dose that controls.

regards

Ian

Hi Robert I also had a nebuliser which helps clear the mucus. Try dipping soda water. My blog might help you. Www. Radioactiveraz.Wordpress.com

It might help. The mucus can stick around best advise us tissues and spit or put fingers into mouth and  pull it out.Not nice but needs must. 
any help just ask. 
Hazel 
Plus as others have says pain relief is the key 

Thank you all. Will talk to the team when I go for my radio tomorrow. Still daunting for what is to come but given the prognosis is good I need to stay positive over the next few weeks and my wonderful wife is doing her best to keep me motivated.

The info here and hearing the stories of others, good and bad is helpful to manage expectations.

Thanks again and I hope to keep you updated.

Robert

Have also posted a link to my blog for ease of reference if you want to have a look and hope you find helpful.

Best wishes
Ian

radiotherapythroat.home.blog