Head and neck cancer

Hiya, sorry to hear that you do have cancer, but it is great news that it has not spread, mine had already spread by the time i was correctly diagnosed.

I wont pretend the treatment is not uncomfortable, because it is- and like you i wondered how i would get through it, but head and neck cancer is very curable. 

The main thing i would say is any discomfort from treatment will pass, i remember worrying that i would never eat properly or enjoy food again, now -2 years later i can eat anything, i need a glass of water if eating thick chicken or thick dry sandwiches but that is about it.

Everyone on this board has been through it, so if you have any specific questions please do ask.

Trev

Thank you so much for your support, I really appreciate it and I will certainly reach out if I need to. 
Lillian 

Hi DurhamLady!

Really sorry to hear of your results - Great it hasn't spread though and you are gettting early treatment. I had 30 treatments of Radiotherapy and 2 x chemo which finished back in August. I had to have a mask for my treatment of radiotherapy and it was no bother at all. You WILL cope with this as we have all done. It's not easy  - especially after effects but it will be worth it. My advice is: Accept the fact that you are going through the treatment and accept you will have bad days - but there will be better ones to come! Accept help from your family and friends and ask if you need it. Avoid Dr Google, and if you have any questions, ask them on this forum or ask your Nurse. 

Try and make the best of the time before your treatment starts. You will start to get fatigued as the treatment progresses, - so just accept what your body is telling you and make time for you!

All the best  - Take care

Steve x

Hi Lillian and welcome from me.  I "only" had surgery so really can't comment on the radiotherapy although I was prepared for it.  All treatments are tough, but the vast majority of us come through it cured and go on to have a good quality of life post treatment.  Time is the great healer so have patience! 

If you can prepare before the treatment starts by asking what may help (not everyone had the same, or all, of the side effects) and get some exercise that will greatly help you.

Hi, Lillian, it's great news it hasn't spread anywhere else. Once your treatment starts you will feel better about things, and on your way to getting cured. The treatment isn't easy but many on here have gone through it and came out the other side, to tell the tale, and so will you. If you have any questions or worries ask away on here, someone will always answer if they can, we are all here to help each other. All the best.

Regards Ray.

Sorry your results are what they are, Lilian. Radiotherapy is not a walk in the park but it’s doable a day at a time. You won’t notice much fir two weeks but after that the effects ramp up but they are manageable. Make sure you tell the radiographers every day how you feel. I had mouthwashes and decent analgesia and at 68 when it finished I managed 6 weeks of RT 

Stay with us and we will all help you through. 

Hi Lillian. Good that the cancer hasn’t spread k inhad 35 radiotherapy and 2 chemo don’t think too far in as an E take it ine day at a time and before yiu know it you’ll be ringing the bell. Treatments hard but as Daninsays it’s doable. Stick with us in here wil help yiu. No question s too silly. I bought soft toothbrushes  many can cope with existing Ines mine were from Amazon called  curaprox. You’ll be  given medication at the start take it don’t be brave. Duraphat toothpaste will be for life on prescription. I Was  61 now approaching 66 and happily living my life  

Hazel xx

Hi Lillian.  I am about 15 months post treatment now.  I am ready to enjoy this Christmas. You will too next year.  It’s such a shock at first. Lots of us on this forum to chat to.  Sending you all best wishes. Lizzie

Hi Lillian,

I have just finished my radiotherapy for tonsil cancer just over a week ago. The best advice I would give is to not think too far ahead, deal with what is happening today (that's enough to be going with) and not everybody gets all the side effects,  so no point worrying about things that may not happen to you. Also once you start needing pain meds, take them regularly going forward, not just when the pain ramps up, it seemed to stop it getting too bad ( got that tip from here...it works!)

Loads of good advice on here.

• Best wishes, enjoy Christmas while you can still eat and taste it.

Linda x

Hi Durhamlady, my husband is just coming to the end of his treatment for throat cancer, last treatment is this coming Wednesday.  He has had 35 radiotherapy sessions and 5 chemo days on top.  It isn't easy but trying to stay positive and have a laugh has got us through it a little.  He has coped ok with the treatment until this last week when he has become very fatigued and pain in his throat.  Are you going to have a PEG feeding tube fitted?   If yes then use it especially if it becomes too hard to swallow or you just don't feel like eating or drinking - you need to keep your calorie intake and water intake up.  We were very daunted by it but your nurses will help and guide you through it.  My hubby became fully dependent on it around a week and a half ago ago so he has milk shake feeds along with his medication through this - it really does take a lot of the hassle and stress away of getting calories into him.  One tip though is if you take any other medication (in tablet form) ask if you are able to dissolve them or have a new prescription for liquid or soluble form so that they can go down the tube.  We completely forgot to ask about this and then got stuck over a weekend as he needed to take his heart meds.  111 however were very helpful when I checked with them.  Presumably you will have a mask fitting?  Again try to say positive with this and keep your weight up because the mask needs to be in the correct place so that your treatment can be given to precisely where it needs to be.  We knew nothing when we started this journey and were very worried about what was to come.  Remember though to talk it through with friends and family and use groups like this.  Wish I had linked in here earlier than today.  Stay positive you have got this!! 

PS - mark of your treatment appointments as you go it will give you a sense of achievement - it has help my hubby.