Hello and thank you for posting,

I am sorry that your son has been struggling for the last 2 years since having the all-clear for throat cancer. Quality of life can be just as important as quantity, so I can understand him feeling down.

Your son needs to tell, or remind, his doctors about how he is managing physically. Fatigue can be a side effect but equally, it might be something, for example, aneamia, that can be reversed - the GP can check this out with a blood test.  

Our website has some information about managing fatigue.

Symptoms that are present a while after treatment are called late effects and they are not unusual, particularly in those who have had head and neck cancers. When he speaks to his doctor about his fatigue do tell him to discuss late effects too. Sometimes there are late effects clinics. Here is more information on this from Macmillan Cancer Support.

I'm sorry to hear that your son's eating is still so restricted from his cancer, it isn't unusual for the treatment to affect the muscles that help you swallow. If your son hasn't been seen by a speech and language therapist (SALT) or has been referred to a dietician recently, they could look at whether there is anything that can be improved.  They may be able to offer some advice. Here is information on diet problems in cancer.

Macmillan has information on different sorts of after-treatment support which might be useful here.

Others may come forward on the forum, but I also think moving this post to the moving on section of Cancer Chat might mean you hear from others in similar situations. 

Take care and I hope your son gets support soon that is helpful to him. If you or he want to call and to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Sarah.

Hello Sarah, thanks for your very helpful response. I'm passing it on to my son, I think that sometimes he plays down how much he is struggling to the dietician and speech therapist, so I'll certainly ask him to ask for more help. 
When I can work out how to copy and paste the post, I'll certainly move it, as you suggested.

Thanks for you help.

Hi Peakay, 

If it's easier we can move this whole discussion to the Moving On topic area for you. Just let us know.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi, Steph, thank you, that would be great.

All done :happy:

I hope this helps and that you hear back from the community soon.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Many thanks.