Hi J4 

I can concur re the electric shaver as my hubby grew no whiskers after the first week of treatment and infact his skin was so sore that he would have struggled to use it anyway. He also had a line at the back of his hair where the radiation beam went to and his hair fell out below it - we called it the mullet look

Not sure how old your hubby is - mine was 54 when he was diagnosed- but if he doesnt get free prescriptions then get a form from your GP to get a 5 year exemption card - its definitely needed. Check with your treatment centre re car parking charges - you may get free parking or reduced cost. 

Make sure you start moisturising the skin on his neck now in preparation- we used sorbaderm cream and we also used a silk scarf next to the skin on his neck as it became burnt and sore as he couldnt bare to have anything touching it. 

Manuka honey can be helpful - +25 medicinal from the health food shop. 3 teaspoons across the day swished around and swallowed whilst he can tolerate it. We still yse it now when his throat us really dry. Cucumber sliced put in water and cooled in the fridge then drink the water can help with a dry mouth as well.  

Fluroguard mouth wash and duraphat extra fluoride toothpaste is also good for protecting the teeth as well as extra soft toothbrush - you can get them off amazon.

The nausea can be a real problem - the usual ginger can help whilst they can swallow and we used seabands acupressure bands - they may have been a placebo but theyhelped.

Anyway - the gang on here have loads of tips so will be along to offer advice should you need it.

best wishes and good luck 

Emma aka Newlymarried 

Thank you both Cariad & Newlymarried, that's very helpful advice - its really useful to be forearmed with potential solutions for what sound like very predictable side effects of the treatment.  Will make sure we have a good stock of Manuka etc.  

The prescription charges are not a concern - anno domini has at least one benefit, and fortunately parking won't be an issue either, but is good advice for others.  I'm a firm believer in acupressure for nausea so we will invest in a pair of seabands also.  Had not thought about silk scarves - good idea!

Treatment is cisplatin weekly with concurrent radiotherapy mon to fri for 6 weeks and we are lucky that the appointments are first thing with a half hour journey each way.

This potentially lonely pathway is made much easier (for me anyway) knowing that we are not alone 

x & thanks again 

Hello I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer on Monday 14th January.  Total shock. I've been told it's stage 1 and it's the primary site, which I'm so thankful for.  I'm now waiting for a date for an operation to explore the area before they decide on the appropriate treatment. I'm scared but trying to be positive. Any advice would be most helpful. Thank you.

Hi Chook 

As ‘novices’ so far, may not have an awful lot of good advice but would say to be reassured by the good prognosis this cancer has.  There is so much to take in at this early stage - go with a list to appointments and if you can take someone with you, a second set of ears will come away with additional information.  If that’s not possible your specialist nurse is there to help you.  

The online support here is fantastic also. 

Hope all goes according to plan with you, the odds are good 

Hi chook, be assured your not alone in being scared.... every single person facing this journey is scared  & so are the family members too! ..& I think its a totally warranted & a very natural response to something that is out of our control "the unknown" I suppose! ,  tbh everyone ive met during my hubbys treatment starts off not knowing which way to turn or what to expect , but if your hospital or place of treatment is anything like Velindre cancer centre which is where my hubby attends for treatments you'll be so very well informed of everything right from the start ,youll be advised on what to expect & to look out for & things that'll  help you out during your treatment ,  you will soon feel more confident & be prepared to dig deep & get on with the task in hand , its hard to suggest anything to you just yet as you dont know what your treatment plan is , so any tips may just be irrelevant to you ... good luck & if you need to have a chat send me a friend request if you want ... regards Amanda.

Hi there J4 

It sounds like the treatment is the same as my hubbys was . He had his Cistplatin on a monday morning with radiotherapy every day monday to friday. You’re right that it can be a lonely journey and one that’s difficult for those  not going through it to comprehend. There were lots of people having treatment for prostate and breast cancer but only one other person whi had head and neck cancer so not really anyone else to talk to or share experiences with.

Having a treatment that impacts on such a social thing such as eating and drinking can become isolating especially as the treatment progresses so remember to take time for you ! You need to be strong when your hubby cant be so make sure you try to eat well and when he’s sleeping get some rest yourself as the whole process is tiring not only for him but for you too. I think we underestimate how the travelling, waiting around whilst the treatment is underway - especially the chemo day ,ensuring they have their meds on time, getting the feeds done , tube flushing and just generally worrying about them can can have an impact on the carer. As they say ‘ when one person in the famiky has cancer the whole family gas cancer too’

Anyway you are not alone - if you need to chat or just rant feel free. If you fancy chatting more then just send me a friend request and Id be happy too.

best wishes

Emma

aka Newlymarried xxxxx

Thank you - wise words.  I’ll send you a friend request and be in touch 

Hi all

Any food/recipe suggestions now my husband's taste has suddenly altered - sweet remaining, umami gone, salt altered, bitter gone, sour - diminished.  Everything needs lots of liquid due to reduced saliva, bread is difficult as are very fibrous foods. He would really relish something savoury.

Thanks in anticipation

Hi sorry to hear your in the same situation as me. My husband diagnosed in December one metastases in neck. Have taken tonsils out part of the tongue. Waiting a PEG feed then once weekly cisplatin and daily radiotherapy. So glad I found your post feel like Im not alone and even though I am an experienced nurse all that has gone out the window when it comes to family being poorly. Any tips as you go along and staying in touch would be great. Have read all the posts attached to yours so reassuring. Wishing you the best of luck as your journey begins. Anyone in Suffolk beem through this?