Tongue Cancer

Hi Sandy

I had radiotherapy for base of tongue cancer in 2013.  The effects of the radiotherapy seem to affect us all differently but my experience was that it wasn't as bad as I'd been expecting.  I'd been given a great long list of potential side effects at the hospital, and I'd read lots of posts on this site.  I think I ended up imagining that I'd get every single thing mentioned. 

There will inevitably be some effects for you so do tell your medical team straight away about anything that is bothering you.  They can often do something to make the situation a bit more tolerable and manageable. 

Some of the problems I experienced were definitely unpleasant but a lot of them were short term.  For example I got some nasty radiation burns in the last week of my radiotherapy but I was prescribed stuff to soothe them and they healed up completely within a couple of weeks.

Best wishes for your treatment and let us all know how you get on. xx

Hi Sandy

I can only reiterate the great advice from Margaret.

Nobody can reassure you what effects you'll suffer with as a result of the rt or to what extent you'll get them.  As Margaret said, we all react differently.  

The usuals are dry mouth through lack of saliva, fatigue, radiation burns to neck and difficulty and pain when swallowing.  These may be felt at different degrees by each individual.  On top of that there are other side effects and late effects which you may or may not get.

Any difficulties/effects speak to your team who should be able to offer advice and medication to help.  Also, there's a wealth of experience on this forum.  

I wish you all the best in your continued treatment.

Linda

Sorry to hear you are here .I finished treat last June. I started to feel ill from day 10 .radiotherapy and chemo made me very sick which didn't help and I've lost 5 stone .I'm still struggling to eat have to eat soft things as I have hardly any saliva ..but my hospital Worcester were great and always on hand with something to make me feel better .not be afaid to say if you are feeling ill or in pain .everyone is different and hopefully you won't be to bad take everyday at a time and things do get better I'm still not 100% but my life is still good x

Hi Sandy I am 9 month post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer 35 radiotherapy sessions answer 2 chemotherapy.all I can say is we are all different and react differently. In my case we fkew to Spain 8 weeks after treatmentbdinished some may say foolish others say great .ok we went to our rental apartment it wasn’t easy but it was a turning point. .i am still suffering from dry mouth and occasional bouts if tiredness nothing that a sip of water which is always by my side and a 20 min power nap doesn’t sort out. 

dont read  dr google is my best advise mod as your team tell you take painkillers when needed .

i have a blog detailing my experience www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com with links to anither ine Ian who had a different experience to me it may help

but there is light at the end if the tunnel if I can do it as a 61 wimp of a female who cried at a broken nail yiu can do it

any questions ask

good luck

hazel 

Hi. I am overwhelmed with all the responses. Every day for treatment, I have to travel a total of 100 miles. Invariable the treatment, radiotherapy is delayed by any thing up to 70 Minutes. The machine broke down earlier this week, half way through my treatment.  Eventually started OK but lying on the hard machine, breathing through a tube, secured by a face mask, it wasn't pleasant. I am positive that  the Radiotherapy will be successful. The surgery to remove half my tongue was successful apart from an extra week in |Hospital, due to contracting a hospital virous. Thanks again for responding, I already feel better. xx  

hi sandy  positive mental attitude got me through it. Not pleasant when machines break down but sometimes it happens I was lucky onky had one breakdown in 35 sessions and that was my very last session a 2 hour breakdown 

keep in tiucnask any questions 

hazel

Hi My machine breakdown only lasted for a few minutes. Poor you. I hope they took you off the machine and made you comfortable. I'm sure that the outcome of my treatment will be positive.  

Hinyes yes they  did has just got  bucked in and strapped down ready for my last blast as well. Although it wasn’t as  bad as 2 weeks earlier when I had forgotten to take my earrings  out in Monday  me and the team had also forgotton to check we were too busy talking got strapped  in machine set off omg bells rang alarms went off staff came running in luckily there’s a 10:second delay before lasers start. Otherwise think staff would have got in mega trouble. Needless to say earrings didn’t go back in until treatment had finished

hazel x

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Hi. I've no problem with jewelry, only hearing aids. I keep a box in my pocket and once the aids are in there I have difficulty in hearing any instructions!! OK so far.