Because I lived in Brussels for a long time and because the health care system there empowers the patient more than in the UK, when I was diagnosed one of the options I considered was going back there to be treated. The reason I did not go for it was simply practicalities - where to stay, how to deal with being away from family (I have 2 children in school here in Wales), etc.
However, comparing treatments available has thrown up some interesting things, such as low level laser therapy (LLLT) which is available at the Jules Bordet Institute in Brussels, Belgium's leading cancer centre. http://www.bordet.be/en/infosmed/brochur_e/diverse/mucosit.htm Around 80 to 100% of people with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy suffer from severe soreness in the mouth and throat, dry mouth and swallowing problems as a result of their treatment. (Don't we know it, boys and girls .....) LLLT can significantly reduce these unpleasant effects, yet no-one I have spoken to in the Welsh NHS appears to have heard of it.
However, it is not just some oddity practised in the UKIP Heart of Darkness (Brussels). It appears it has even made its way across the Channel to the NHS in Southampton. See http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/AboutTheTrust/Newsandpublications/Latestnews/2014/Southampton-doctors-pioneer-use-of-soft-laser-for-cancer-patients.aspx
Does any out there have any experience or knowledge of LLLT in the UK or elsewhere?
As may be guessed from the above, it has been a rough couple of days recently: the violent hiccupping has returned which, together with mouth sores, sore throat, and vomiting (sorry...) and increased fatigue, has led to grumpiness and an inability to blog. But posting this means that things have improved a bit!
Thanks
