My partner was putting hydrogel on the sore parts. Last week the doctor said he doesn't need the dressing as it was healing well. They said to continue with hydrogel on the scabby bits and moisturiser on the dry bits. So I think it's best to ask the docs about the dressing.

Thank you so much for your reassurance Emma. It means a lot  I must say, my partner has perked up a lot these last few days, he's even looking more normal! Doing things like browsing the internet and watching YouTube videos is certainly a sign that he's gradually getting better and able to focus on something. Still very tired, but started his short walks today. Thank goodness it's getting warmer!! My girls are able to have conversations with him now, so I think everyone is feeling happier. To them he looked looked like he was dying, no matter how much I assured them he'll be getting better. But they're starting to see him come back to life and they were delighted to see him meet us on their way home from school today

Hi, looking forward to your update Ian, hope all good. Here is mine 6 days post treatment. As you, Hazel and others predicted, tougher after treatment. Id a few swallowing issues, not really pain but slower and awkward getting stuff down. A few very dry mouth nights, maybe as the fatigue knocked me out! Had longer sleeps, less water, dryer mouth. Saw my consultant today, she was happy enough , said keep doing what im doing, early days, the swalllowing issue is probably mucus build up deep in tonsil area. Sure enough it is improving tonight. I got a spray for saliva assistance too, let you all know how it goes, tried the supplement shakes, yuck, but hoping i will not be needing. Really hoping!! Good luck all.

Hi 

welcome to,part 2 the long slow road to recovery unless u are SuperDave. Lol. 

Yhe supplementvshakes try more water in them double edge that way still get the calories and extra hydration. Keep a record if liquid intake as well as calories consumed as uts all too easy at this stage not to eat or drink enough u need both plus sleep.

i still have a food supplement drink even over in Spain we’ve brought 90 small bottles as some Days  I struggle getting enough calorie stuff in !! Never thought those words would come from my lip s lol I miss crisps.  Just a random thing ive put out there lol. 

Yep Ian looking forward to update and from Dave .

mine is bikes 30 km in last 2 days but biggest breakthrough nearly a full nights sleppp last night onky up for a trip to loo !!! Plus managed a beach afternoon which pleased sunworshipping hubby albeit I sat under a palm tree with factor 50  plastered all over radiation area and false tan on rest of body I managed to feel the warmth of the sun. 

Take care everyone 

h x

Hi Graeme,lol welcome to the Ensure club..yummy huh ! but sounds as if you are doing good and probably showing symptoms all go through at your stage, but keep positive and as said, doing as your doing.
good luck with synthetic salava spray as I found it gross and binned pretty much immediately.

Hazel, 
Nice to hear your in good spirits in the sun and biking away..
Good if you are managing more sleep and omg you mentioned crisps !!
That is one thing I really miss but dare not annoy my throat with. Actuallu bought a wee box of Ritz mini crackers the other day but threw away as manged only 2. They just stuck to mouth n not worth the effort.

Update for week 14

Its not been too bad actually and I feel very small baby steps are taking place. I'm still on my Ensures but only manage a small portion of a meal at night, but taking a little more or shall i say, forcing a little more and as much as i can. To be honest I cant say i really enjoy anything and eat as a function still.

Fatique still there but feel awake for more hours a few days then maybe one/two days this week zonked and in bed a little more. Am working doing what i can without overdoing so can be a little more tired in afternoon and depending on when start. Can sometimes turn night into day but at least working from home so able to cope.

Had to stop antibiotics for celulitis on elbow as reacted to them with diahorreah and sickness. GP yesterday and not too concerned and said should go away on its own.

Had my PET/CT scan last wednesday and Ive been told results are there but no one will tell me anything. Was told maybe GP - nope , was told try consultant PA who passed me on to specialist nurse - nope. You have to wait intil next Tuesday until you see the consultant as no results good or bad, would be given out over phone. I understand that but my little niggle is why not say up front, even on scan letter, that results would only be available at your next consutant appontment and not over phone or via GP. Maybe just have the process more clear and that way you know exactly where you stand. Rant over lol !

I guess just a little frustrating knowing the results have been avaliable from Monday but I have to wait until next Tues 5th March for.
At least I managed to bring forward as was originally on the 19th March and I have another appt with the Gastro consultant as a follow up on the 19th ( I was misdiagnosed last year before cancer found and in hospital for week. Had biopsy for bowel cancer but was all clear but have to have this followed up.
Can you imagine seeing a consultant in the morning getting results for throat cancer and another consultant in the afternoon for bowel cancer lol !!!

So anyways, D day next Tuesday morning for scan results and I will share once I know and good or bad.

All in all quite a good week and resigned myself to fatigue picking up when it picks up and my body will decide. Keeping figures crossed for Tuesday but remain both positive and also realistic that further issues are still an option.
Hope all ok and good

Onwards and Upwards
ian 

Hi Ian

i dream if crisps like unsay it’s a dream lol. The most I’ve got is a nibble if one and it stuck so will carry in dreaming. Re results each consultant us different mine were there 3 days after but had to wait 12 days. Yet the guy who had his pet scan day I got my results rung his Macmillan nurse 3 days later and she told him over phone ! We had same consultant different Macmillan nurse. I asked mine if she woukd have told me n said no way it’s the consultant s job to do it ..same hospital ! Don’t think I would have wanted over phone  nit long to go now will be sending positive vibes to you. 

As for other yiu will be fine just routine ,but know what u mean in my diagnosis day thatbafternoon I had a breast cancer mammogram omg inwas a wreck but the nurse was worse I need up comforting her with hindsight I now know why she knew what I had to look forward to !!!!!!!!!! Anyway mammogram was all ok. 

Just remember hot spots can still show up on pet scans just mean yiu have to be recscanned 12 weeks later but inward and upward. 

Off to get in my bike meeting up with friends so will be interesting to see how unfit I really am as they have been biking all through my treatment I used to blast them off the road not happening niw

git my Ensure in cool bag with ice block will think of you if I need it. 

Know what yiu mean calorie wise I am not eating  anything like as much as I used to do weight us remaining stable just .

h x

Hi Ian 

just dropped by to wish you loads of luck for next tuesday I know the waiting is horrible especially when you know everyone else knows except you. We expected Pauls results at his consultant appointment- we were travelling on the friday to Birmingham for Pauls stag do and the results were due on the next tuesday. Another guy who was having treatment for base if tongue ca at the sametime texted us tobsay he couldnt wait any longer so had spoken to our consultant and got the all ckear. Paul didnt want to spoil his stag do if it was bad news so wouldnt phone and find out. We had a great weekend but waiting for us when we got home on the sunday was a letter for admission for a neck dissection in a weeks time ! Not good - but was because we were getting married in 3 weeks and they wanted to make sure he had the surgery prior to that so the secretary was on the ball not knowing we hadnt had the results if the PET CT yet. Anyway he had the surgery and is cancer free so even if the scan is not what you want it to be - fingers crossed for you its all clear- it doesnt mean doom and gloom.

Wishing you so much luck and a positive outcome

Emma 

Hi Emma

Thank you so much for your kind wishes and understanding re results.
From the sound of yourself, Hazel and myself there does appear to be different processes regarding provision of results. I understand that they would not give bad results over the phone, nor would I want them, but probably would have been better had a few of the staff from various depts not saying I could get them but then couldnt and I just had a natural instinct to ask.

Anyways will see on Tues and am re assured by your post that even if there are further issues it does not mean that they are not solveable so I'm going to remain positive either way.
I will defo chap on your door if you dont mind if I do need further treatment for advice and tips but i'm hoping not to have to.

regards
Ian