Hi- my dad had his second oncologist appointment. He was pretty much told the tracheostomy is for life and it increases the risk of infection during treatment. I’m starting to lose hope to hold on to and I wondered if anyone had experience of chemo and radiotherapy with a trach and outcomes?
his tumour is by larynx, pushing on eosophageous and windpipe. Chemo starts in 2 weeks with 1 iV and then 2 weeks tablets. Then decide on radiotherapy and chemo.
it’s one of those days where it’s just wave after wave of down and no light.
Hi BrummiGirl
I am so sorry things are not going well in regards to next steps for your Dad, sometimes it does feel as if nothing is moving fast enough and in many ways we feel as if we as individuals should be able to do more.
Hang in there, your support will mean the world to your Dad... I am bumping this post up as I dont have any experience of the combined treatments, but hopefully someone else will answer soon .
Lowe'
Hi BrummieGirl
I have a stoma for a Laryngectomy and last year started chemo/RT for OS, I have to tell you that the effects to the stoma are pretty horrendous to look at as the RT damages quite badly, I panicked when it started but got through it, he will need help and advice by the full team, I found that my Oncologist didn’t have a clue with it but she panicked and let my ENT Consultant know and we went from there. If he has an ENT or Speech Therapist Nurse then they may be the best to talk to if it does get bad.
It was one of the worse parts of my journey through the treatment as cleaning a stoma is bad enough normally-sorry I couldn’t say he will be fine (he might be) but you are best prepared, they assured me prior to the treatment that the RT will be below the stoma but it wasn’t and due to the site mentioned it will definitely effect it.
But you get through it and I have been in remission now for 12 months come March
Sorry to be straight forward but it’s best being prepared- also if you are from Birmingham I originate from Coventry so we Midlanders tend to tell it how it is 
All the best
Tony
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