Base of tongue cancer side effects T4N1MO

He is 52 x

Hi Hopey87, welcome to the group, we are all here help when we can. Unfortunately, the treatment can be brutal, and it knocks us for six. All you both can do is take it one day at a time, if he is struggling to eat, he should start using his PEG, not getting enough nourishment will only make him feel worse than he already does. Make sure his team know how he feels and keep them updated throughout his treatment. Although it's tough he will get there and on his way to recovery, the treatment does give very high rates of cure. Just ask any questions you have; someone will always answer if they can.

Ray.    

Thank you so much for your reply and your welcome to this group. I have read lots on here and it’s a wonderful help although sad you all have to go through this.  We are keeping his team updated but today quite concerned about the significant swelling on his left side of face and lips. Seems to becoming more swollen. Have you any experience of this?

thank you

I don't have any experience with swelling, hopefully someone who has, will answer. if you are worried about it, you could call his team on Monday, or you could ring 111 over the weekend.

Ray 

Good evening Hopepy67, i would contact someone from his team if the swelling continues or phone the hospital over this weekend if it gets worse. It is good to have a PEG feeding tube as it will be a big help as the swallowing can become uncomfortable. Also please ask for stronger painkillers for the pain as i think getting the pain under control makes for a better recovery. It sounds as if your husband is getting all the side effects that most of us go through in one way or another. Have you spoken to your work about having time off to be with your husband some companies are good in this area and will want to help you, although not all companies are the same. Please dont apologise for the long post as we all know what you and your husband are going through and are only too pleased to help you. Wishing you all the best and hope the swelling does not get worse and good luck with the dieticians appointment, take care.

                                                                                              Chris x

Hi sorry you've found yourself on here. I was given an emergency number to ri f if I had any issues during treatment. Yiur hospital,should have an on call oncologist it’s worth ringing the cancer center. Sorry I’m late to seeing the post. But as others have said his peg is there for a reason  if he’s struggling with eating please use it. It’s important he has sufficient hydration and nutrition as treatment takes it out of us. Treatment is hard but we do have a good cure rate as yiu say unlike pancreatic I’ve recently lost 2 friends to that cruel cancer all in a matter of weeks. Look after yourself and try to take time for you if only a coffee with a friend. P, I made my husnpband go,out to give us both space as the patients needs it just as much.

hugs Hazel

Hi Chris, thank you for your reply. The swelling is down a little - I gave him an antihistamine. He wants to wait till Monday when he’s at the hospital to check the swelling as he doesn’t want to be sent to A&E. Tried calling Radiotherapy dept but only answer phone. He is already taking slow release morphine, oramorph and paracetamol. We were worried that he was experiencing all the horrible side effects a little early as it’s only been 2 weeks. I’ve used all my holiday up so far (April to April) so any time off now is unpaid. Obviously if needs be I’ll have to be off work and we’ll just have to manage somehow. The peg feeding is looking highly likely now. Thank you again really appreciate your reply x

Hi Hazel, thank you for your kind words. He doesn’t seem to have an emergency number or oncologist on call but only for the chemo dept. He’s taken more water through his peg tonight and now gone to bed. We will talk to the Dietitian at Tuesdays appointment - I’m taking the morning off to go to that with him which is straight after his radiotherapy appt. Plus I’ll find out the oncall number. 
thank you again x