thank you

Ok ichi head down and just get on. You’ll do it. Nobody gets all the side effects so don’t get overwhelmed. 

ichi said:

thank you all for your advise, how on earth do you remember everything and are all so knowledgeable about your diagnosis and treatments and everything in between? it is amazing

You are very welcome. As for the rest we become experts in our own cancer. I’m a retired vet. A lot of the information has been at my fingertips for years and for me the ins and outs of this cancer and the treatment has been easy to understand. 
I stick around five years later to repay the debt I owe so many here who came before me. Peer support is what we all need to be able to cope and retain our sanity while our doctors fix the cancer. 
All the best 

Quite right not to worry about possible side effects - I think the hospital has to tell you them all, for informed consent, but some you may not get at all and others are temporary. All I've got now is a slightly dry mouth.

It's definitely worth doing the neck and swallowing exercises they give you though, at least once a day during and after treatment, as they are proven to help prevent problems later. Also look after your teeth. 

Good luck! It will soon be over. 

Catriona

Hi as others have said don’t worry about the side effects we all get told. Niw at 5.5 years all ive got is  a dry mouth in a morning whuch is nothing compared to the dryness  after treatment snd I can’t manage spicy food. Keep on here we’re all happy to help.Take it one day at a time. One step at a time. 

Hazel x

PS before I started treatment my consultant said he had 3 pieces of advice for me - 1. fluids, 2. fluids, and 3. fluids. Drinking plenty of water helps flush through the chemo and keep throat and neck muscles moist and flexible. 

Good evening ichi, i remember my consultant explaining everything to me but said "As soon as you leave this room you will forget half of it" He was right nobody can take all the information in straight away, especially the side effects but because one person complained of a particular side effect they have to include in the long list. As most of us say taking it a day at a time is the best method so you don't feel the need to overthink plus we all react differently to the treatments and recover at different speeds. We try our best here to reassure people and give advice on what we have been through, you can do it but just be prepared for the good and bad days, wishing you all the best for your treatment. Take care.

                                                                      Chris x

Hi Ichi, yes, there is an awful lot of information to take in and it certainly helps if you can have someone with you. I kept a log during my treatment to record how I felt and to record what was discussed at each consultation. It also helps to write any questions you have for your MDT.

As mentioned, the side effects do seem to vary amongst us. I coped OK with the pain and discomfort from the treatment but the nausea floored me and I became totally reliant on the RIG tube for food and liquids. I also had a checklist to remind me and my wife to do the swallowing exercises, meds and feeds etc. 

All the best with your treatment.

- John