My wife was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in February of last year just before the Covid really kicked off. She has has long term lung condition so options were limited as to treatment. An operation was deemed too dangerous so it was decided to try intensive radiotherapy. Unfortunately this didn’t have the desired effect. So it was decided the only option was an operation this was done in October on her birthday. Since then she has been suffering due to the operation on her tongue and neck she has had a feeding tube in. We found out this week that the cancer has already returned in the operation site and a couple of other are, the only treatment that can be offered is palliative.
She will be having Chemo to try and reduce the headaches slow the cancer down. One of the things she is really finding difficult is all through this horrible time we have been unable to go to any of the places she really loves.
Hi , sorry to hear about your wife and the issues she has been having and the impact it is having on you both.
When I first heard the term palliative care I though it meant the end was close; my wife's cancer has never been curable but one round of chemotherapy she had managed to essentially stop it growing - and we will take stable as our new gold standard.
Lockdown for covid has been difficult for many and somehow a phone call with the oncologist does not feel quite the same. Hope you are managing to find some kind of help though and keeping safe.
Whenever you feel the need do post on here and if you need to talk to someone the helpline is open 8am to 8pm on 0808 808 0000
<<hugs>>
Steve
