Treatment almost finished

Good evening Izzy,well done to have come this far. I can only tell you of my hubbies journey,as you said,every one heals differently. He is now 17+ mths post treatment. After finishing treatment he was reliant on his PEG for about another 14 wks,when  he was slowly able to swallow softish food and liquids.He still experimenting with food,some still don't taste the same,some he can't even tolerate. He is still having a dry mouth/throat. A bottle of water is always close by. As to going back to work, I would say listen to your body.  My husbands job,in telecommunications ,requires him to do a lot of driving,and at the time still being fatigued, he found himself able to go back to work at about 5mths later,part days and gradually back to full time. He is a lot better now,but his scares on his neck,the caughing and sneezing is a constant reminder of what he's been through, but I couldn't think about the alternative. So don't expect miracles, listen to your body and take your time. Hope this helps. All the best for the rest of your journey, hugs,fellow wife Mel x

Hi Izzy

I started to not feel like death at around six weeks

By 12 weeks I had turned a corner and was eating some solid food

By six months I was feeling more my old self 

Taste slowly started getting better at 12 weeks and improved for the next 18 months

RT damage takes a long time to heal, I did have mouth as well as throat ulcers and the one large one on my tongue persisted for months. Another problem I had was the fatigue that RT causes. I suffered with that for a year. It came in waves and poleaxed me so much I just had to rest

The dry mouth persists, with salivary function around 50% of what it was...worse at night. It's manageable 

I am retired but wouldn't even have considered work for six months 

Was 68 when I finished so much older than you

Wow I didn't expect it took people so long! 

I do not have sick pay from work after 2 months of sick so going back asap is more necessity than choice. Very disappointing, but I appreciate your honesty. Thank you x

Izzy1984 said:

Wow I didn't expect it took people so long

Your RT is being targeted at your neck rather than your mouth so it's likely you will not be so badly affected as I was...and I am much older than you. Cancer is a disability and you have rights at work. You are entitled to have a phased return. What do you do?

Pharmacy Technician in NHS hospital. 

Well hopefully you can go back part time...I would start exploring your options as soon as you can. I'm sorry I didn't mean to alarm you, nor fill you with false hope. As you say we are all different. My oncologist enjoys telling the tale of one of his patients who cycled to PBRT every day  and had a Big Mac to celebrate his last session

I really appreciate the honesty. Thank you x

HunIzzy1984 I often say recovery is a marathon nit a soeintb3 weeks muggy be a tad optimistic. I had my ng feeding tube removed week z3 of recovery and was managing to sip ensures orally. As for ulcers I still had them 12 weeeks post treatment and was just starting a phased withdrawal of opiates. But week 8;we flew to,spain for my hubbys 60th.  My oncologist gave me permission to go as we were going to our apartment itv was  a good break away but not a holiday in the traditional sense. 

I would suggest  that  a phased return to work the nhs should work with you like all employers do. 
have a read of this article written by a consultant at Leeds cancer centre. I pronted copies off for famiky and friend it explains our life after treatment. 

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hugs Hazel 

Hi Izzy, like the others have said, 3 wees is a very optimistic in hoping to return to work. The RT can take up to 2 weeks to stop working after you finish your treatment. You really do have to allow your body the time it needs to heal. We all take different times to recover it can't be rushed. 

Ray. 

Hi Izzy,

I am just about to finish my treatment and don't feel too bad, definitely not as bad I thought I will. My consultant said at the start of the treatment that I would need 2 months recovery. As the treatment has beenso intensive, and after asking the forum, this seemed possibly too ambitious but now I think 2-3 months, I will see how it goes. I hope that your workplace will be able to make adjustments for you.