Radiotherapy

Hi , I'm sorry to hear about your MIL. Radiotherapy can knock you for six so I can understand why the medics are 'focusing on the negatives'. Ultimately it has to be her choice but I wonder if she could try radiotherapy to see how it goes? My husband had 33 sessions (he's 71) and towards the end he really suffered. The main problem is that, for those who don't take to radiotherapy so well, the side effects go on for some months after cessation. Since there's no way of knowing whether RT will have bad side effects without trying it, the position is a really difficult one.

You could perhaps read this Macmillan guide on radiotherapy to get more insight. 

Thinking of you,

Hi , I'm sorry to hear about your MIL. Radiotherapy can knock you for six so I can understand why the medics are 'focusing on the negatives'. Ultimately it has to be her choice but I wonder if she could try radiotherapy to see how it goes? My husband had 33 sessions (he's 71) and towards the end he really suffered. The main problem is that, for those who don't take to radiotherapy so well, the side effects go on for some months after cessation. Since there's no way of knowing whether RT will have bad side effects without trying it, the position is a really difficult one.

You could perhaps read this Macmillan guide on radiotherapy to get more insight. 

Thinking of you,

Hi loobylou49

thank you so much for your response, the Macmillan guide is very helpful.

I was just wondering what side effects your husband had, did he have to have the peg feed, if so how complicated was that, how long do the feeds take to go in.

When you said he really suffered towards the end of treatment was that mainly fatigue or was there other complications. I know every one is different but just would like a personal account.  Thank you so much.

Hi , I don't know about the peg feed. He had argon therapy mostly for his oesophagus and radiotherapy for post prostatectomy (he's had 3 cancers in 2 years). He needed things like gentle soap free wash to avoid making his skin sore. His oesophagus was very sore and he could only eat luke warm soup for days after each treatment and it went on for months. The week after treatment on his oesophagus finished he had the prostatectomy, then radiotherapy; so his was different in that he had treatment on treatment on treatment and that is likely to have made a huge difference. Sorry I can't be of more help.

Hi loobylou

Thank you so much for your quick reply, I really appreciate it.

My MIL is going for another appointment tomorrow with the consultant with a list of questions and then she’ll make a final decision about whether to go for treatment, but she’s a tough old bird and I think she’ll give it a go. 

You you and your husband have really been through the mill, wishing you well for the future.

xx

Carebear46, in May 2018, I had 6 weeks daily RT to my neck.  Towards the suffered severe burns both outside and inside my throat. Also desperately tired and weak. Still suffer from neck muscles stiff as boards. Taste has returned. Subsequent operation in Nov 2018 has left me with numb face and tongue and very invasive and troublesome throat secretions. Good news - no more cancer. RT was not an easy ride but it worked. 

I have a peg in my tummy to feed and drink and drugs (no trouble at all) for 1 year, takes less time a day than to cook food! Still cook for my husband though. 

Hope this helps. 

Hi sour brandy

thanks for your message, glad to hear you’re cancer free. It does sound like a rough ride, but good to hear the peg feed wasn’t too much trouble. MIL going in on Tuesday for peg feed then starting radiotherapy, she’s very upbeat about it all even with all the corona virus drama. Thanks again, wishing you all the best for the future xx