Week 6

Hi welcome from me I’m Hazel also one if Dr Sens patients I’m almost 5 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer. With 7 affected lymph nodes have  you  read my blog ! I’m presuming Dr Sen Leeds ! 
I too only had 2 chemo  dont  stress too much chemo  is not the main treat it’s sensitivity helps the radiotherapy but it’s not vital. 
Any questions just ask

Say hi to Dr Sen ( he’s lovely )from me. Tell him I’m riding my bike in the sun 

Hugs Hazel x

Hi Hazel,  I’ve referred to your blog quite a few times these last few weeks! It is so helpful to read what might be expected at different stages but more importantly, that there’s a life again after this horrible disease!

Yes it’s Dr Sen at Leeds, he has been very good with my husband, matter of fact and honest which is what you want. He told him at the outset week 5 would be the start of the tough bit and he wasn’t wrong!

we are so lucky to have Bexley Wing practically on our doorstep although my husband will be glad to not see quite so much of it in the future!

Thanks for replying Hazel x

Hi Sharon

It sounds as though your husband is in really good hands. His doctor sounds terrific. The positive and encouraging words you get from your doctor  makes all the difference during treatment I found.

I too have an amazing surgeon who has been with me since 2013 and I can’t fault him. He too is always so encouraging and has kept me going over a few tough times.

I  too ended up in hospital in week 4 of radiotherapy with dehydration and had to stay there for a week. It did really help as they took me to radiotherapy daily and kept an eye on my pain levels and food intake. I would never have thought that I would ever be so glad to be in hospital. It was a lifesaver.

Once your husband gets over this bit he is nearly there. Just don’t try and rush the recovery phase as it can take a while and you have to not push yourself too hard in the early days.

You are both nearly there.

Best wishes

Lyn

SharonB1 said:

thank you all for updating on the posts and for the really helpful blogs

Hi Sharon

I would have suggested you read Mark's profile here MarkEL but I see your husband is nearly at the end of treatment. It might still be useful so just click on his name. Hopefully he will be home soon to start his recovery. All the best

Hi SharonB1 you are right the end of treartment is a milestone, then he will be on his recovery. Don't worry about him missing one of his chemo's, many of us on the forum missed one. He's in the best place now, where they can get things sorted out for him, also to give you some respite, people often overlook the carers. Any questions or worries just ask away on here. All the best to you both.

Regards Ray  

Hi He knows what he’s doing. If I can help just ask. After treatment finished it’s hunker down for a few weeks. 
gugs Hazel x

Thanks Hazel. Been to visit him again tonight as he’s moved from the assessment ward to J97. He seems worse today, still on iv fluids but the dietician suggested a slow drip feed as he’s not eaten for over a week for the horrid sickness. All seemed ok but a few hours in and he was really sick again, he just can’t keep anything down it’s so horrible. The dr today suggested an additional anti nausea to try, think it was Levo something as he’s already on ondansetron and metraclamide I think they are called. I’ve taken him some soda water to try (read on your blog) just to try swill his mouth out as he’s not even able to brush his teeth for gagging and being sick. Although he’s in a small 4 bed bay he’s absolutely shatttered so hoping he manages some sleep tonight. Felt so  guilty leaving him and just want to start to see him manage to keep something down. 

Hi yes ofine the  anti sickness meds don’t work we are all started in the cheapest ones ,then it’s a case of working through them. A friend of mine ended up in her 8 th change of meds finally found one. Me I was fine on the first ones ondanestron and meroclpomide. Flat Diet Coke as well  as soda water can help take a can tomorrow to try Plus bottled water as I still find tap water unacceptable.

. He needs nutrition to help him through the treatment so yes a slow drip feed sounds right. Sending healing hugs through the internet lRemember to look after yourself as well as hubby will need yiu when he’s home. Our other half’s often get neglected through this it’s all about us the patient but without you we would be lost. When you see hubby tomorrow just remind him how well I’m doing .it’s crap at the moment but there’s a great life tot be had when it’s all over. 
Hugs Hazel x

He’s in the best place Sharon . Some people really have a hard time with being sick. If they can’t get anything into his stomach they can always give home TPN ( intravenously) 

You can buy mouth sponges you can moisten in something like BioXtra mouth wash or even just water to wipe his mouth and freshen it up a bit. 
Hang on and let us know how he does. 
Dont fret too much and get some rest yourself. 

Hi Sharon, sorry to hear your husband has been so sick, he must feel wretched and this will impact you. I had the same cancer as your husband, diagnosed last May , started treatment in July and finished end of August. Like your husband I was terribly sick. My anti sickness pills were changed, upped , in and out of hospital , the sickness was horrific and never really stopped. I felt like a hollow zombie shuffling backwards and forwards to radiotherapy and chemo until my consultant stopped chemo as my body couldn’t cope anymore. I continued being sick after treatment but I remember one night I woke up and for a few hours I wasn’t sick. Very gradually the sickness eased although I continued taking the anti sick meds for months after treatment stopped. Do tell your husband this time will pass, he’s coming to the end of treatment, just a day at a time , he will wake up one day and realise he feels a bit better. 6 months on , I’m eating , drinking, working and planning holidays, it does pass. Keep strong and big hugs to you both. Debbie x