Throat

Hi Lu

Yes it's normal I'm afraid. The radiotherapy does dreadful damage but non cancerous tissue greatly recovers in time

You do keep going because you have to and I wouldn't worry too much about the chemotherapy. Lots of people don't finish the course and it adds only a few percentage points to the success of the outcome. It's belt and braces.

Make sure he is on top of pain relief. Get him to take it by rote on a regular basis. I took Oramorph every two hours at one point but mostly every four with paracetamol in between. If the morphine isn't working there are stronger drugs. Fentanyl is delivered via a skin patch and lasts for three days. 

Talk to his team about it. Once you are on top of the pain ( it won't completely go but will be manageable) life its better

I do hope it can be sorted quickly. 

Hi Redrum I have finished 30 radio and 4 chemo just over a month ago and throat is still really sore. just about drinking and not eating yet. As i have been saying to my kids it is what it is . My partner said the exact same thing to me the other day. I had a bad reaction to the chemo and was really ill and stopped my last 2 . I ended up in hospital due to dehydration etc. We are all  different and react to treatments differently. My take on it is just get through it whatever way you can. People have been through much worse. All The Best Regards Min 

Thank you Dani, really helpful information & appreciate you taking the time to reply 

Lu 

Thanks Min, I appreciate that everyone is different. All the best with your recovery. 
Lu 

You’re very welcome. Don’t suffer. Get help and please look after yourself too. Carers take a back seat in all this when they should be offered as much support as they need. As you can’t go in with him it can help to make a list to give to the radiographers to pass on. 

Hi 

re the chemo I didn’t have the last session in most cases the chemo is a top up to the radiotherapy As for how we all did it. Honestly its a case  if ni alternatives  at times  I thought I wouldn’t eat proper food but last night braised steak casserole and dumplings and niw having soup and sandwich. It’s a case of getting through each day baby steps some days 2 forwards 1 back. My oncologist explained to me that my mouth snd throat would all be exposed in varying degrees of burn the body’s power to regenerate is marvellous. He will get through this phase just make sure he’s taking pain relief by rote. Don’t wait for pain n keep rp on top of it .

Hazel x

Hi Hazel, thank you for replying. Everyone is helpful here. We are just taking it hour by hour at the moment. 
Lu x

Well done Lu - that's the best way to go.

I can only repeat what everyone else has said - please make sure your partner is taking his pain killers regularly now to try to keep on top of the pain.  If they're not working well enough he needs to speak to his team.  If he's having difficulty speaking to them you should have a contact number for the Clinical Nurse so you could phone her.

Thinking of you both.

Linda x

Thanks Linda, this is so hard & yes I do have a number thank you. 

this site is so good, I feel so much more positive now. 
lu x

That's good to hear.  It helps massively when you realise that other people understand and you're not alone.

Linda x