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Post chemo and radiotherapy

Chlojohn94
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Hi I wondered if someone would be able to advise me. My mum has just finished an intense course of chemo and radiotherapy together. We are obviously aware that she will have side effects and be quite poorly for the next few weeks but the problem and the most worrying thing right now for us is that she’s not able to eat or drink anything at all due to excruciating pain she gets in her chest area and her throat every time she eats or drinks and if she’s able to eat or drink  anything she’s just bringing it back up again! She’s losing weight rapidly and she’s didn’t have much weight on her at the beginning. We are extremely worried about her and we don’t really know where to go for help or what to do! She has a nurse ring her or contact most days but they don’t seem to be giving her or us any advice on what to do they just keep telling her to try and eat, calories will make you better but obviously she’s not able so it’s just becoming a vicious circle! I would greatly appreciate if someone could help or point me in the right direction on what to do to help. 

many thanks. 

  • Hi Chlojohn94,

     

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Karen and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.  

     

    I’m sorry to hear that your Mum is experiencing side effects of her chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that she’s unable to eat and drink anything due to excruciating pain she gets in her chest area and throat. This understandably must be a huge worry for you all.

     

    As we don’t have access to Mum’s medical records on the support line, we always advise with any new or worsening symptoms that your Mum informs her treatment team as soon as possible. It’s not clear if the nurse contacting your Mum daily has seen her face to face or not and is aware of all her symptoms.

     

    Your Mum needs to be assessed today as her symptoms are not improving and she will become dehydrated. Her treatment team will be able to advise and will be best placed to recommend what may help to manage these effects. We advise that she contacts her hospital 24/7 chemo advice line as soon as possible this morning. If she doesn’t have the contact details, ring the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through. Alternatively, please contact NHS 111 directly. Your Mum needs to be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.

     

    When your Mum has been assessed, if you or your family require any further information or support please don’t hesitate to give one of our nurses a call.

     

    I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, 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/KG

     

     

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