Nasopharyngeal

Good evening deebo, what did you want advice on ,is it the treatment or an operation ?. 

                                                                       Chris x

Hi anything we are going to be starting my hubby next lot off cemo on 11 march cycle 2 if that makes sense he’s in 5 days then home 14, he’s still not his taste buds back had shocking mouth ulcers  we have build up drinks I just don’t no to be honest our head is spinning does it sound daft sorry about the English so rubbish lol they can’t operate on it nasopharyngeal if that makes sense any advice would be great Thank you Denise x

Hi Denise, it is scary for sure due to both the diagnosis and the treatment.  My partner went through nasopharyngeal cancer 7 years ago and it sounds like your hubby’s treatment is similar. He had three five-day inpatient stays with a slow infusion of a drug called cisplatin OR 5FU.  I know he had both but can’t remember the order as more chemotherapy is given during the radiotherapy stage.  To be honest, we were relieved when the first bag of drugs went in as we knew they were starting the fight.   They can’t operate in most cases due to the location of the tumour so they kill it with what they call chemo-radiation treatment.   Apart from fatigue during the chemo there were no real side effects at first though he put on a load of weight. He was given steroids which gave him an incredible appetite.  The weight gain is a good thing as later on there can be problems eating.  after the three weeks of infusion, partner started 30 days of radiotherapy.   Hubby will be fitted for a mesh or plastic mask which will keep him in a fished position while the target the tumour with pinpoint acctacr.   Some people find the mask frightening but you can get over this either with a small dose of temazepan an hour before the fitting and the treatment which only lasts a few minutes each day. Also, relaxation exececices, deep breathing before, and meditation = thinking of nice things like being on a beach in the sun beside the sea, or by a river, or in a field, will help the short time in the machine pass quickly

You won’t realy notice any effects from the radiotherapy until week 3 when the mouth and throat will start to get sore  About week 5 the skin on the neck will start to redden and may blister   There are all sorts of meds he can take to get through the pain, and creams for the skin  Eating will get difficult so build him up now.  Some patients are given a tube into the tummy so that high energy liquids and vitamins can go directly into the stomach  my partner persevered with soft foods like custard, scrambled eggs, liquidised food and drinks called Ensure and Fortísima   You hubby will get very tired at the end of the treatment and for a few weeks afterwards but about four weeks after the last radiotherapy session he will turn a corner   It’s very daunting but the good thing to remember that although the treatment itakes a long time and has side effects, the cancer is curable.   This time next year it will be a memore   If you have questions talk to his team at the hospital  Don’t be shy about it   And there’s the wonderful McMillaan team  I hope this helps   Please forgive any typos as I’m writing this without my specs!!!  Ted  

Hi Denise, I’ve read my answer again with specs on and there were a few typos!   The radiotherapy mask will keep him in a fixed position, not a fished position!  And I remembered some more of the side effects like mouth ulcers you mentioned - there are gels, mouthwashes and a soluble paracetamol mouthwash can help.  As his team. There can also be a sideeffect called mucositis.  Basically, some people get lots of thick saliva as a result of the treatment.  It will pass, believe me, but it can get quite bad so it’s a good idea to keep a few bags handy, like sandwich bags, if you’re going out as he can spit the mucus into the bag.  And as I said swallowing can get hard in the later stages BUT!!! everything will eventually subside and he will eventually return to being the annoying git he always was.

That’s brill you hit the nail on the head was thinking off a care home for him last week lol he seems a lot better this week it’s just the not knowing what’s to come thank you so much

It’s difficult for carers to watch what’s happening.  You can feel helpless. He may get depressed and towards the end of treatment will sleep a lot.  Don’t sit in watching and waiting for something to happen. It’s important to get out and give yourself a break.  Go for a walk, go swimming, do something, anything to keep yourself healthy too.  There are loads of things he can take IF things get painful- paracetamol, cocodamol, morphine and more. The hospital will have a pain clinic or team to advise but keep a chart of what and when he’s taking medication or when he should take it.  There are mouthwashes and sprays too.  Encourage him to eat but not to the point of having a battle about it.  A mild threat that you’ll tell the doctor he’s not eating should do the trick.  So, look after yourself.  Worry is inevitable but getting out for some fresh air for an hour a few times a week will work wonders.  Things MAY get difficult but they WILL definitely get better.  

Hello Denise , im pleased you have got some great advice from Ted and that he has been through the same journey as your husband is going through . It can be a scary time as its all new and the side affects affect us differently , i used to find it best to take it one day at a time , most people get through the chemo and radio ok without bad side affects , i expect these courses of chemo your husband is having will make him tired and feel worn out so tell him to rest as much as possible ,Im pleased he is feeling better this week. Please come back if you need anymore help along the way and we will try and put you and your husbands mind at ease . Take care .

                                                                           Chris .x

Thank Chris and Ted

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