So a recap as to where I am; Diagnosed with Cancer of the tongue, had 4 lymph nodes removed along with the right side tonsil and a slitter of the base of my tongue both sides.
The surgery went well, the scar down my neck is healing very well, but my neck on the right is still numb, from my ear to my chin, it feels like I have a scarf around my neck !
I feel ok, just really want to get on with the treatment so the end gets closer, but not looking forward to side effects, whatever they may be.
First week of Treatment
Monday 21st July. Appointment for my first Chemo session is 0900hrs, arrive on time and checked in, along with a queue of others doing the same thing. Once booked in I am weighed (74.3kg) allocated a bed to sit / lay on as they have no comfy chairs available, which is fine. While waiting for the nurses to start the process I notice the steady stream of people doing the same as me, this continues all day, as one person completes their session, the bed / chair is cleaned and another person takes their place… factory production line, it’s frightening to see the number of people this affects!!
The nurse explains what’s going to happen today and informs me that I will be here for 6 hours ! This is because once the cannula has been fitted I am to have 2 hrs of Hydration, 2 hrs of Chemo followed by a further 2 hrs of Hydration. The hydration is to help flush out my kidneys.
The first hydration session starts and I’m also given 6 anti sickness tablets to take and 1 steroid anti sickness tablet… I get the impression this process could make me feel sick ! The pharmacist also hands out all my medication to go home with, this consists of anti sickness tablets and steroid anti sickness tablets plus tablets to combat constipation and tablets to combat diarrhoea.. so all the bases covered, good job they gave me a chart for when to take these. The two lots of anti sickness tablets are only for the first 3 days so that’s good !
Hydration drip complete, now its onto the Chemo drip, starting at 12:40 hr, they also hook up an anti sickness drip all flowing in through the one cannula. Due to the amount of fluid and drink I’m taking in there are several trips to the toilet, having to the push / drag my stand with the drips and pump attached apparently it beeps if the drips stop due to sudden movement and yes this is correct, as each time to return to my bed its bleeping. Then it’s onto the final hydration drip, by this time I am feeling a bit tired, not sure if this is the chemo or that its just a bit boring sitting about for hours, so I have a short nap and do feel better.
Session finishes at 1700hrs, cannula is removed, have to weigh myself again (76.75) so am given water tablets to take when I get home (they help you wee to get rid of some fluids).
Now its off to the radiotherapy session which is only a short walk, get there and sign in and they are waiting for me, must be the last one of the day. Had a chat with the radiologist before the sessions, he askes how I am, if I have any allergies etc and then explains the process and the potential side effects, ending in me agreeing to continue.
Got called through at 17:40 to “Machine 3” they explain what’s going to happen, so its shirt off and lay on the machine bed, the mask is fitted but it feels very tight, so they remove one of the shims under my neck and retry, this time its fine.
The process is that they take a CT scan to match the original one done a while ago and once confirmed the radiotherapy starts, this last for 3 minutes and its all over for today. Time to go home.
Tuesday 22nd July. Second radiotherapy session, appointment for 14:20 hrs, check in and taken to the machine at 14:26 and finished session by 14:36, all very straightforward. I feel ok, but have the beginning of a metallic taste in my mouth, or at least I think I have.
Wednesday 23rd July. Today I have a Speech and Language clinic to attend, this is a general discussion on how the throat works and the exercises to do to maintain good movement / flexibility when going through the treatment and to continue the exercises for at least 3 months after the treatment ends. They will check in with us on a regular basis at the weekly review meetings throughout the treatment. It was good to meet others going through similar experiences albeit a couple of weeks ahead of where I am.
Third radiotherapy session is booked for 17:25hrs but as the speech session finished earlier than expected I check in an hour early and seen earlier than appointment time, again all done in 10minutes and its off home again.
Thursday 24th July. Fourth radiotherapy session again in and out in 10 minutes, this is becoming a well oiled machine. On the way out I’m not sure if the area on the right side of my neck as it feels a bit tighter than normal, could be the start of something, but not uncomfortable.
Friday 25th July. The PEG nurse is due today at home. She arrives on time and is here to show me how to push the tube into my stomach by approx. 5cm twist 360 degrees and pull back to original position and clip it in place, including cleaning the tube etc. I’m also told that full showering with soap is ok to do, which is good news. A very helpful and friendly lady, she also confirms that if need anything or have any concerns then to ring them and they will sort it.. that’s good to hear.
Fifth radiotherapy session which is booked for 13:00 hrs, as usual We get there a bit early and so far so good I am called through earlier than the allotted time. Again in and out in 10 minutes. And again the right side of my neck feels tight.
So Week one complete… only another 5 weeks left !!
