Hello Luc50, 

A very warm welcome to our forum and I am so sorry to hear your partner has recently been diagnosed with throat cancer. You have come to the right place though as here on Cancer Chat we have a great gang of members affected by throat cancer. They are a lovely bunch and I am sure they will be happy to talk you through what to expect in terms of tests, cancer grading and treatment plan and they will be happy to guide you with the journey ahead. RadioactiveRaz will I am sure have some great insights for you as well as Anchor1707 both keep a blog of their experience and I will invite you also to take a look at Anchor1707 's monster thread created 7 years ago on throat cancer which is still very active and which you are welcome to respond to. 

If you have any questions and would like to talk to one of our cancer nurses, the number to call is 0808 800 4040 - it's a free helpline open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

I hope that you will find some great throat cancer resources and tips via our forum and that you will get chatting soon to our members who have also been affected by throat cancer. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator 

Hi Luc50,Am sorry to hear that your partner has been diagnosed with throat cancer and happy to help in anyway I can.

I am Anchor1707 mentioned by moderator Lucie and as well as the massive thread built up over the years, I also have a blog that I have shown a link to for you to read.

This logs my journey of throat cancer, the treatment, ups and downs and the successful light at the end of the tunnel.
Treatment and recovery can be a challenge, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and so many success stories.

Lots of positive help available and you can contact me on the blog if you and/or your partner would even feel it helpful to have one to one contact and feel free to ask any questions.
Here to help as best I can and share experience with anyone.

Treatment is quite advanced nowadays and let me know how you get on with tests and outline treatment plan/ timelines.

kind regards

Ian

radiotherapythroat.home.blog

Thank you for reply it is really appreciated. I am obviously  worried as he is struggling to eat but can still drink but is coughing up green phlegm all the time . Appointment is tomorrow so we will know more then and what plans are . Glad to hear you are recovered . 

Thank you . He was doing that but finding that difficult now . He is taking protein shakes etc to keep his strength up at the moment . Has lost weight as well in the last few weeks  because he can’t eat properly so hopefully we can get that sorted tomorrow some how as he is feeling quite weak .  Sorry for all the questions  but appreciate you replying . 

Not at all and ask as many and as often as you like.

I was prescribed Ensure drinks when on treatment and although they dont taste the best, was all I was able to take for a while.( banana best for me )
You will see consultant tomorrow and usually specialist nurses afterwards to go over any additional questions etc, They were great before during and after treatment

kind regards

Ian

Hi just thought I would give you an update . He has had his scans and the surgeon came round to see him as they admitted him to hospital as he couldn’t eat  or drink . They fitted him with a feeding tube through his nose . They are going to do surgery to remove the tumour a full laryngectomy and reconstructive surgery at the same time . The tumour is in his throat and neck and one lymph node so he will have  radiotherapy only they said . He will have a hole in his neck/ throat to breath and it will be covered with a button and he will have to learn to talk and eat etc again . The operation will take 10 to 12 hours they said . They are confident that can get all the tumour out   and he will live his life but a different life . A lot to take in and advice would be great before the surgery etc we don’t have a date yet going to see the surgeon on Monday again . 

Hi and thanks for the update.
Am sorry to hear of the treatment plan and will be challenging but on the other hand, positive that they are confident that they can get all of the tumour out.
A lot to take in and yes, life will be different for all of you as he progresses through treatment,

Before surgery a few out us had some teeth removed as this can cause other problems due to radiotherapy and where treatment is. It might be worthwhile clarifying with consultant if this is part of the plan pre surgery.
You will find great support in the specialist nurses as well as speech and language specialists as well as surgeon and you will have a team dedicated to monitor treatment plan.
Take a notepad in and jot down any questions you have and se if you can take notes as you dont remember everything at the time, although your specialist nurse will be on tap to help and guide all the way through.

I sent link regarding the blog I kept on a daily basis and should perhaps show some indication of radiotherapy treatment and more important the challenges of recovery rather than the treatment itself.
While you find yourselves on a slightly different journey with laryngectomy and reconstructive surgery, please know there are so many helpful people on here to support you all best we can.
Ask away anything at any time and please keep us up to date with progress etc.

So many positive outcomes on here with this type of cancer and just wishing you all the very best at the start of your journey.

Keep us posted and know we are all here for you

kind regards

Ian