Radiotherapy treatment

Hi Hells

Radiotherapy can cause a lot of damage to the mouth and a lot people end up not being able to eat at all. Your Dad's basic needs have to be met by his hospital. Pain relief and nutrition. I ended up on long and short acting morphine and paracetamol. Morphine is constipating so he will need laxatives as well. I was tube fed via nasogastric tube largely for nine weeks. If your father can't eat his hospital should provide him with either an NG tube or a PEG which is a stomach tube. He's half way through and there will be a few weeks after treatment ends when he will still be in trouble.

One of our members here has a good bio to read which is a diary of his treatment. Have a look here Mark's Diary

Pain is manageable but he has to tell, his team what he's feeling.

Best wishes

Good evening Hells30, sorry to hear this, we will not switch you off here as cancer is worldwide as well as cancer patients. Dani has given a great reply and i would ask for a feeding tube if he can swallow liquid then he could try liquid supplement drinks until a tube can be fitted, he has to keep his weight up as it helps the recovery, i also had thin soups to drink. I had a full neck dissection and a jaw reconstruction but was on a strong liquid painkiller morphine-based so please get the person to ask for a better pain killer. If you click on my name it will take you to my profile where i have written a short story about my cancer journey. Please come back if you have any more concerns as we are only to pleased to help. Wishing you all the best, take care.

                                                                                                     Chris x

Hell30, please do not think we turn off if patients or questions come from abroad. Everyone’s cancer experience is equally relevant and although treatment may vary across the world, people on this forum will offer whatever advice and support they can.

Sometimes we read a post and see that useful answers have already been given as above and don’t add anything, but we are always thinking of the patient and silently sending them our best wishes.

I was treated for mouth cancer with surgery, so can’t comment on radiotherapy in particular, but I send my very warmest sympathy and best wishes to any fellow patient and the family who support them.

Hi Hells 30 Dani and Chris have given most of the answer. Does your dad have a feeding tube either into stomach or like mine uo through his nose ? If so he needs to use them as he will get weaker if he can’t eat. We don’t know the  protocol in the Phillipines but I would think they offer similar to over here. Pain relief is vital.  More info can be found on my blog below and there’s links to other sites. 
Hazel x

Thank you so much for your Reply Dani x

Chris, thank you for your reply. I’m now going to read about your journey. I will see if my dad can get into her to read if not I’ll send your story.

Thank you xx

Would anyone have any advice on helping pain from blisters to as he’s suffering from these xx

Thank you for your reply & take care 

Hi are the inside his mouth?, tongue. I had quite a few ulcers was prescribed gelclair . He can also gargle with soluble aspirin if he can get it there just gargle and spit don’t swallow. A salt snd baking powder gargle could help 1 litre lukewarm water 9 gram salt and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. The radiotherapy does a lot of damage to our mucosal linings it’s a common side effect there’s no quick fix. If it’s blisters on his lips make sure he’s not using anythjng with petroleum jelly eg Vaseline as that reacts badly to radiation.Again make sure he’s telling the team his issues. 
Hazel 

I’m passing all of this onto him! All of you in here are truly inspirational people. Thank you for your quick reply. I feel passing on your responses may help him ask for what’s needed and makes me feel I’m helping in a small way.