Hi Gilly.

My dad was diagnosed with tonsil cancer last year. As it was cancer of the head and neck, or more specifically throat, part of his team was a dietician and speech and language therapist. The appointments for his speech and language therapist were arranged automatically and he was seen by them to help with swallowing issues, dietary requirements and rehabilitation of the throat after surgery.

Dad was prescribed some kind of solution to take with foods that makes the saliva heavier so swallowing is easier. Something like that will help your Mum. The specialists are fantastic and I’m sure they’ll be able to alleviate your Mum’s symptoms.

in terms of questions, I’d be asking about next steps, treatment options and the side effects associated, staging and anything your Mum can do to alleviate symptoms herself.

I know it’s a challenging time but it’s great that you can go with her to her next appointments. In my experience there’s too much to take in for one person so a second pair of ears is really beneficial.

Hope you get some clarity and can move forward with a plan for your Mum. Happy to chat anytime! :) Take care

Thank you. That information and kind words really helps. 

Thank you. That information and kind words really helps. Getting used to this chat line still. I think my last message went to myself instead of thanking you. I hope your dad is doing well 

Hi, I've just finished chemo and chemoradiotherapy for cancer in the gland under ear which made my throat close so couldn't swallow solid foods, paralysed vocal chords and was diagnosed last July by ENT. If ENT they will refer her to a dietician, if oncologist they will do the same. The speech therapist and dieticians are fantastic and will give her exercises to strengthen her swallowing muscles and throat area, prescribe her food supplements so that she'll get the nutrients needed, check her weight weekly and depending on the treatment she may be referred to have a PEG tube inserted in her stomach so can feed via a feeding tube/syringe, which sounds horrific but is literally a life saver if has radiotherapy as can't even drink as too painful and I just kept weight up with the tube as can throw feeds in there when had zero appetite.

You can try to call the nurse, as you'll verify she's your mother with her date of birth, hospital number or nhs number and address probably and hopefully can talk with you. Just explain you've been abroad and find out what you can. But as she's had the appointment and been diagnosed, the clogs should now start moving and she'll get appointment letters or calls. If she has cancer, is it just the dietician that's going to call or waiting for oncologist? Scans are done in which case it will be oncologist next I would think but dietician was first for me as eating too difficult.

Hope you get some answers and good luck. I've just got the all clear so living proof treatment can work x

Thank you for all the advice. It is really helpful. I hope you are keeping well.