Radiotherapy side effects, any tips please!

2 replies
52 subscribers
836 views

Hi All,

My mum who's 76 is two weeks into her Chemo / radiotherapy for T2N1?M0 Squamous cell carcinoma. . She had Cisplatin 6 hour infusion on day 1 and 5fu at home days 1-4 and radiotherapy every weekday for 5 weeks, week 3 starting Monday. She had 2 cycles of cisplatin and 5fu over 8 weeks prior to this as adjuvant (pre treatment chemo) (sorry if you've read my other posts and I repeat myself but I find it good to recap on the situation just in case anyone else is searching for information).

She tolerated the chemo reasonably well with the main issue being mouth thrush and ulcers which slowly gets better but nows she's two weeks into the radio she's noticing pain at night radiating to her back and bringing up clear phlegm and been sick a few times.

Im a bit concerned things might get worse before they get better. Has anyone been through similar and have you got any advice on what happens and tips for getting through it. She mentioned it to the hospital and they said this could happen but was just wondering what we could do to help Mum get through it easier.

Thank you and hope you are all well

Guernsey Donkey over 4 years ago

Ask the hospital to supply a nebuliser which mists up saline solution which will give relief for Phelgm and Mucus. Also talk to voice therapist and dietician who should give advice. Not to worry your mum but this is a brutal therapy to rid her of this cancer and what she is experiencing is a normal side effect of this treatment. Cure of the cancer is the aim and having a T2N1 SCC with her treatment is successful, but the treatment will give various side effects which should eventually go away. I had a T4 SCC above my Larynx and I had a Tracheotomy for 11 months and other nasty side effects but every one who has these treatments have different outcomes and I was close to having a Larengectomy! I would also recommend you research your mothers cancer and where it is, read books from the library and also the internet like cancer research and NCBI. Also make sure you ask lots of questions with the Oncologist. The back pain may be from the Radiotherapy machine ask the technician there to make sure she is laying correctly when being treated. Importantly you are supporting your mother and this is vital in her recovery.

Very best wishes to you both.

Chapter3 over 4 years ago

Hi Wuzz001,

I don’t have any advice however my mum is the same age and having the same treatment, so am interested in any responses here. She has just started week 2 of the radiotherapy but is so worn out from the chemo side effects. Our biggest issue is that she had to have a Naso Gastric feeding tube fitted before the treatment started, she really struggles to get 5 ensure drinks down the tube each day as well as all the medication. Every trip to the hospital for radiotherapy exhausts her. I am hoping the chemo side effects improve a little this week (mainly bloating, diarrhoea and dizziness) so she can rest over the weekend before week 3 of radiotherapy. Wishing you and your mother well, this is a tough journey.

More from this forum

Radiotherapy side effects, any tips please!