Anxiety

Hi Rara welcome to the club none of is wanted to join. It’s rare that tonsil cancer is operated on so don’t worry about that. Radiotherapy is the gold standard treatment. I am almost 7 years post treatment. 
One day at a time is the only  way you can’t control what’s happening it really is one day at a time.Trust his team they are the experts they do in daily.   Take heart from us on here head and neck cancers do respond very well to treatment we’re proof of that fact .All you can do is be there for him  but at same time look after yourself I encouraged my husband to give us both some space he use to meet a friend for coffee to get out of the house. Treatments is hard but I went through it and he will too. Stick with us always happy to help. 

hugs Hazel 

Hi Rara. We do get through a day at a time. I had six weeks of RT and just ticked the days off 

Nothing much happens for two weeks then your throat gets more and more sore. 
Is your husband being offered a feeding tube g tube? If he is tell him to grab the chance. 
The treatment us a real challenge but it doesn’t last forever. 
You will surprise yourselves with how well you both get through. 
Thus is a useful thread 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/head-neck-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis-and-treatment/287136/helpful-tips-for-those-about-to-start-treatment

Hi Rara

T2N1M0 Tonsil cancer HPV16 plus finished chemoradio June 2023....

One day at a time soon passes....we don't have a choice.... some patients tolerate the treatment better than others... treatment has a 90% success rate....or better.

Peter 

I can see that this forum will help get us through.  Thank you for your support.  He has not been offered a feeding tube and wants to continue to try to swallow throughout the treatments.   

My trust didnt  routinely fit feeding tubes but I had to agree to a ng tube is needed and it was needed. It was my lifesaver and allowed me to continue treatment from week 3 and uo to week 3 recovery. It took the worry out of trying to eat and swallow it also helped my recovery immensely so please do t let him tough it out as it’s nit easy trying maintain weight take sufficient calories. Read my blog below for more info 

Hazsl x

Rara2 said:

He has not been offered a feeding tube and wants to continue to try to swallow throughout the treatments.   

Some people do manage but not many. I hope he has it in his mind to go with a nasogastric tube if needed. 
I know some people need the fight to maintain some sense of control and get through. 
Keep us in the loop. There’s always somebody here to talk to 

I can only endorse what the others have said re feeding tube.  My Trust fitted them routinely.  I didn’t want one…in fact to say that the idea horrified me was an understatement.  My oncologist was insistent and for that I shall be forever grateful.  I would not have survived without it.  I hope your husband does manage his aim of getting through without…but please don’t let him be stubborn if it becomes too much.  The tube for me took the apprehension out of food and, I think, prevented my developing a real problem with it.

As others have said, one day at a time really is the only way.  There is a certain satisfaction in ticking off the days, particularly once you get past the half way mark.

Please look after yourself too.  In so many ways it’s harder for partners than for those actually going through the treatment. I know it was for my husband.

All the best to both of you.  It’s not a walk in the park, but we come out the other side and, as has been said, success rates are high.

Liz

Hi there, I feel for for you and I am so sorry about your husband having to go through this,my husband finished his treatment (30rounds RT 2rounds CT) 7wks ago, yes it's true each patient heals different, but I am not gonna lie,it's just as hard to see your loved one having to deal with the side effects,  I am having to take day by day, we have better ones and then the not so good ones, our consultant told us straight from the start that it could be a long bumpy road to recovery, he knew what he was talking about, some days I find myself crying to sleep. I have to stay positive and strong for the both of us. Reading some of people's stories on this forum gives me some hope. So stay strong and positive and do take on day at the time. All the best  Mel.x