I live in Worcestershire and was diagnosed with tonsil cancer in October. At present tomorrow I will be starting my third week of radiotherapy of the 6 weeks course. I have had one treatment of chemotherapy.
My wife looks after me at home as unfortunately I also suffer from Rheumatoid arthritis and to crown it I have nasal drip. The latter is very difficult to cope with when your mucus is very thick and causes you to gag every now and then if lying on your back. Not sure how to get around the thick mucous. I am still eating a bit of food through my mouth although swallowing is now painful. I do have a PEG fitted and think I will be needing it within the next week. Drinking is another issue as it feels like I am swallowing a golf ball when drinking any liquid. This then makes me uncomfortable until I have been able to burp.
Being in lockdown has not helped, but as we are in tier two we went for a drive yesterday just to get out and about, get some fresh air and have a little walk. At home we do have a treadmill which I try and use for at least 5 minutes each day. Looking forward to when the radiotherapy is finished and hopefully the cancer will have gone for good!
Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community
I'm sorry to read that you were recently diagnosed with tonsil cancer and I know what a worrying time this will be for you.
I can see that you've already found and joined the head and neck cancer group which is a great place to ask questions, share experiences and get support. If you click on the link I've created it will take you straight to the group where you could copy and paste your introduction from here into a new post there.
When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
If you have any problems finding your way around the site just give me a shout and I'll do my best to help.
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hi Surfer. Pop along and see us at the HEAD and NECk cancer group which is where I am. Meanwhile.......as you are still having radiotherapy it is much easier to access other things you need. Your radiographers can arrange most other contact. It might be worth asking for Carbocysteine to help thin the mucous. Sleeping in a warm room with a humidifier helps some people as does using a nebuliser (or a towel and a bowl of steaming water) Pop along to see us. there will be lots of help there. Oh....and the more hydrated you are the thinner the mucous is. 3 litres of water a day. Perhaps it's time to start putting water down the PEG
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi Surfer. Pop along and see us at the HEAD and NECk cancer group which is where I am. Meanwhile.......as you are still having radiotherapy it is much easier to access other things you need. Your radiographers can arrange most other contact. It might be worth asking for Carbocysteine to help thin the mucous. Sleeping in a warm room with a humidifier helps some people as does using a nebuliser (or a towel and a bowl of steaming water) Pop along to see us. there will be lots of help there. Oh....and the more hydrated you are the thinner the mucous is. 3 litres of water a day. Perhaps it's time to start putting water down the PEG.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
