Hubby had First FLOT yesterday and pump disconnected today. Felt rough suddenly this afternoon helped by anti sickness meds. Now his throat is so sore and his voice is so hoarse he can’t talk. Taken paracetamol and used a mouthwash but not much better. Is there something else I can do for him?
Hello Shortgirl,
Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Karen and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
I’m sorry to hear your husband has a very sore throat and hoarse voice and can’t talk after having his first FLOT chemotherapy treatment. You say also he felt rough but that his anti-sickness medication helped this. He is taking paracetamol and mouth washes, and yesterday when you contacted us his temperature was normal. It’s understandable this will be a worrying time for you and your husband.
With any new or worsening symptoms, we advise that you contact your hospital team so that they can advise and assess your husbands’ symptoms. You should have been given a 24-hour chemotherapy advice line number to contact. If not, you can contact the hospital main switchboard and ask to be put through. Alternatively, you can contact your clinical nurse specialist, GP or NHS 11 out of hours.
It's important to follow the specific advice that your cancer treatment team give you and contact the hospital straight away with any signs of infection. Your husband will be more prone to developing infections 7 – 14 days after each cycle of chemotherapy. These tips for avoiding infection may be useful to look at.
As a cancer charity, we don’t have access to your husband’s medical records, but we can often help provide general information and support. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call on the support line if you have any further questions or support needs, after you have contacted your hospital team today.
I can see you have joined the online community oesophageal cancer, carers, and chemotherapy forums. I hope you are finding these welcoming and supportive.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other information or support needs, the Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support.
Best wishes
Karen, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref/Khe/PL
