Treatment starts on Monday

I agree completely. I was lucky with mine but how he did it every day with great compassion I have no idea. 
Hazel xx

Hi Mark, before I started my treatment my oncologist warned me that recovery can take up to 2 years but she also said that they try to get those patients who work back to work in 3 months! So I thought if people are well enough to work they can’t be too frail.

The recovery is typically slow and frustrating but each week I reflect on the previous week and think about the positive progress e.g. I no longer have to spit food out. I don’t enjoy it but I’m eating it and that’s real progress.

I’m just starting week 5 post treatment and I’m on day 4 of not using my peg and that’s a real achievement. My aim is to be peg free before Xmas and unless I have an unexpected set back I’m very determined to make this reality. It’ll help me both physically and mentally and therefore speed up my overall recovery. It’s incredibly hard to keep positive but the more you push yourself the easier it is to develop a positive mindset because you know you are achieving something……anything!

i force myself to go for a daily walk because I’d rather just sit and read but yesterday I did 2.5 miles and felt much better for doing that than sitting around doing nothing. My view is that the hospital have given this their best shot and now it’s down to me with their support to do the same. 
Wishing you positive progress.

Barry

Mark first of all sorry to hear you are in this situation. Pretty much 3 years to the day I started very similar chemotherapy and radiotherapy. My tumors were tonsil.. although it was much larger than the tonsil...base of tongue..and lymph glands..both sides. I'm not going to lie...the treatment was tough but I didn't experience any skin damage...just some redining. Management of my mouth was probably tougher..but like everyone else on here it can feel like one step forward...3 steps backward at times. But you will get through it..It took me about a year to get back to some kind of normality I then returned to work full time before retiring about a year ago ago.

I do a lot of walking and have climbed a few Munro's..and I'm cherishing every day the treatment gave me back.

So good luck and check in here...as we would like to hear your progress.

Chas

Thanks for your replies everyone. 

End of Week 5 post treatment.

I won't pretend I'm not still feeling down but I'm improving slowly.

Food is a problem, I literally hate the thought of it but I'm managing weetabix porridge yogurts energy drinks etc. Eating in the morning is fine, but in the evening It makes me feel sick, causes pain and very nearly reduces me to tears, yes I'm a grown man.

This week was difficult, I returned to work to register as back to work and one of my secretaries was visibly shocked at my appearance,  and told me I looked awful and ill, in a nice way she is lovely.

I don't tell people about the cancer but on this occasion couldn't find a way out of it.

Being more positive I've reduced my meds again, I can drink what I like even fizzy drinks, no I havnt drank alcohol yet, and I sleep seemingly for ever.

I wish I could shake off the constant thought that the treatment will fail and I may be dead soon, it wasn't a consideration during my treatment but arrived soon after, I reluctantly accept it as a consequence of my reduced state of mental health

Follow up video appointment is in one week, as I understand it its a non event and I'll be passed back to head n neck 

Take care everyone 

Mark  

Mark you are in track. And being back at work? You must be superman 

Lethargy is normal. It’s because the base of your brain got a dose of RT. It will come and go for a long time yet so don’t fight it. Hazel will be on soon I guess and she coped famously by having a nap every day.

Fear of failure will get  better too. I’m chasing three years. I have had a good last year. It took that long. 
Hang in there. 
Best wishes 

Mark. Treatment failure in our cancers is extremely rare. Ok there’s blips along the way but you’ve done the hard part. Keep on plodding on 6 weeks in the scheme if things  is early days. 
Try poached eggs they are easy food then progress into poached eggs on toast.  You’ve got to start somewhere so try easy things first. 
As for fatigue my way round it right up to 9 weeks ago was every day a 20 min power nap. I got up around 0800 then mid afternoon if I can catch 20 min went to bed fully dressed up 20 mjn later then lasted every night until 2300. 
im lucky I never doubted my oncologist he says he would cure me and he did. 

Hazel 

Hi Mark, congratulations on getting back to work so quickly, which is amazing progress. I’m now in week 6 and eating is a little easier but far from enjoyable but I’m now day 9 of not using the peg so happy about that. I also think about the outcome as in some ways it’s easy to forget that we are recovering from the ghastly treatment and at this stage simply don’t know whether it’s successful or not! I just keep those thoughts at the back of my mind and focus on progress, achievements and the fact I’m here and actually doing ok! My treatment plan aim was cure and that’s what I’ll continue to embrace and believe in. Please try to do the same as from what you’ve explained your absolutely doing well and you’ll no doubt notice your progress more and more as the weeks go by.

You’ll crack this I’m sure.

All the best.

Barry

Hi 

A positive attitude really helps.  I had radio both sides of neck and tonsils...and base of the tongue....it's not great but you will get some awesome painkillers....I went out walking during my treatment to build my fitness...it's the only thing you really control...3 years on I'm almost back to normal with a renewed appreciation of life. 

You've got this....Chas

Hi Mark. I'm also starting 6 weeks RT and chemo tomorrow very nervous and anxious too. I think it's the un known. 

Hi Speedbird and welcome to the forum.

Good luck with starting your treatment tomorrow.  Do remember to take any painkillers regularly as it's easier to keep on top of any pain rather than react to it.  If they're not working well enough don't hesitate to tell your team.

You'll find brilliant support on this forum.

Linda x