Hello everyone, I have found your posts really helpful and supportive. I finished a 6 week course of radiotherapy with one dose of chemo, should have been 2 but I developed low sodium and the second was cancelled, my oncologist decided not to re-schedule. That was 6 weeks ago and I still have loads of symptoms, the worst being my throat. My swallow is very weak with a sometimes painful throat and all food / liquids are through my PEG. I also have lipedema which seems to change shape day to day and I feel very tired. My sleep at night was nearly non existent during treatment but now is more just erratic and I compensate with naps. Speech is difficult and poor but I couldn't talk at all for a few weeks during treatment so I see that as an improvement. I have been given exercises to do for my swallow and tongue and I wanted to know how effective these have been for other people because they are quite difficult for me.
Hi and welcome well done for getting through treatment … now recovery starts which is a marathon not a sprint I wouldn’t count on turning any sort of corner till 12 weeks and even then it’s often two steps forward one back
I have been given exercises to do for my swallow and tongue and I wanted to know how effective these have been for other people because they are quite difficult for me.
Very effective so do them.
If you have lymphodema there are massage techniques that can help but you need to be shown how to do them effectively. Your hospital should have a lymphodema clinic so ask for them to see you.
In the meantime if you check out my blog linked at the bottom of this post there is a piece in it with a simple massage to do.
Radiation fatigue is real and debilitating and can hit you even when you think you’ve recovered. Just go with the flow. Get exercise when you can but rest when you’re tired. It does get better
Best wishes
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Good evening Dakester, you are now at the stage where things are starting to recover, this all sounds familiar and I suffered with them all except the lip lipedema, this should slowly reduce maybe with the help of massages if needed. I was also given tongue exercises which helped, I was using a PEG plus i asked for a sedative to help with my sleeping plus pain relief. Maybe its worth a chat with your consultant for reassurance and peace of mind, you had a long session of radiotherapy so your body needs extra time to recover, slowly but surely you will get there. Take care.
Chris
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
away now to look at your blog Dani, well done you to still be giving advice to people now you are recovered.
That’s very kind of you.
I had so much help from others it’s only fair I do my share.
Keep going. It’s worth it.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
