Treatment starting soon

Hi. 
Have a look at this 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/2246697

For some tips

Regarding the RT you’ll be given all manner of mouthwashes and creams so don’t worry about needing to buy anything and there are some creams you can’t use at all
I did find aloe vera gel soothing and am convinced it stopped me burning. 
I don’t have a RIG or chemo so can’t comment but I’m sure somebody will soon 

Hi there , 

I had my peg fitted 10 days  before my treatment started. The day before my peg was fitted i saw the dentist at the hospital  and a week before the treatment  started I was at a diagnostic centre where they discussed my chemo therapy sessions, what to expect, as in how long each treatment takes ( I had 2 cisplatin), how I may feel , contact numbers and loads of advice on how to cope with the possible effects and gave me a pack with information . I am in Merseyside so I attended clatterbridge cancer centre. 

My 2 sessions took about 6 to 8 hrs. They give you infusions at first which can take an hour or so then I had the chemotherapy.  Then a couple more infusions. Can't remember exactly what the infusions were think it was steroids to help counteract side effects , potassium? And can't remember the other. It was all painless i was sat in my own little open booth in a reclining chair( fell asleep a few times lol) they came with tea coffee drinks and sandwiches ,biscuits.  You could also help yourself to all these at a little kitchen area. The nurses were constantly  checking on me ,I felt very looked after. I felt worse after my second cisplatin session, was very sick and no appetite,  but it only lasted approx 10 days.the hospital  give you steroids to take after the chemo and anti sickness tablets. He will also see the nutrition nurse once a week whi will check and tender to his rig.  And a specialist nurse who checks  your bloods and prescribes anything he may need, this is when having the rig, is a god send, I couldn't eat after week 3 of radiotherapy  but I could swallow and drink.everyone is different ,depends upon where is treated , strengths of radiotherapy and cisplatin and how each reacts I suppose. He will/ may experience a lot of mucus the team will give him mouth washes ,and sprays to help to mouth soreness 

The radiotherapy team will / should give him a tube of flamigel for his neck, he must use it religiously.  I also used a moisturiser but do not apply the few hours before the  radiotherapy session. Also get him a lip salve ,a petroleum free one. Even using the above my last werk if radiotherapy,  my neck burns started to show and by 3 weeks post treatment were gone, but skin felt tight. 

Preparation. Tell him to eat his heart out, all his favourite  stuff.most people loose weight due to sickness ,loss of appetite and the fact sometimes if your sleeping a lot you miss meal times, but some people  have a pump feed attached to rig, and it will pump through the night. I didnt. Other than that just go with the flow, if hes tired ,sleep.  Get a little exercise as in walking round garden if he can. Just keep  up with the nutrition  and drink plenty if water, we tend to get dehydrated  quickly. His taste may change ,mine did everything tasted awful even water.but it has returned almost fully.  

Anything you forget to ask at the hospital,  this forum is great for advice,  we've all experienced our own journey, and ive found the help and advice I received here amazing . Tell him good luck with his treatment.  

Tracy xx

1. Hi , as a fellow wife I feel for you. My hubby had 30 rds of RT,Monday to Friday, and 2rds Cisplatin, each were about 8hrs long. He had a PEG fitted prior to treatment. A day procedure,home for t time. He didn't suffer from pain as much,was more being uncomfortable and having to get to use to it. Soon after RT started it neck started to show signs of burns,he got Flamigel given to put on generously and some special wraps. After treatment,once wounds started to heal,he used aloe vera creams. All the best wishes for you and your hubby. Mel x

Hi my husband is having immunotherapy and had his rig fitted 3 weeks after his 1st treatment started 

Jenny

2 hours seems a little short for Cisplatin.  I had Carboplatin which is an alternative to Cisplatin and that has a short infusion time of around 2 hour in total whereas everyone who I met on Cisplatin was much longer than me.

I used E45 and Aloe Vera as recommended by my hospital.  I used nothing else and had no skin degradation.  I purchased that myself and still use it to this day.  Get him to speak to his radiotherapy team as to when he can apply it as it can affect the transmission of the RT.

I had a PEG before RT started.  I was given everything I needed with the exception of something to keep the tube in place under my clothes.  I tried a belt and that failed miserably.  In the end I settled for wearing a vest and using some catheter adhesive clips off amazon. Each clip lasted around a week before it needed replacing but held everything secure and allowed me to move the tube to feed.

Other things that may help are a humidifier and a nebuliser.  Both relatively cheap and off amazon.  One helps keep the throat moise, especially at night.  The other may help control the mucus.

Hi there

I had Cisplatin. It is very toxic for the kidneys so requires hydration before and after the infusion.  I had a litre of hydration fluid over 2hrs, Cisplatin over 2hrs and then 500mls of hydration fluid over 30 mins. I was in the chemotherapy suite for around 5hrs.

I used Cerave moisturising cream weeks before treatment  started and during treatment used Aveeno moisturising cream for very dry skin (blue top).  I had no breakdown of the skin, just redness and dryness but that was gone within a week post treatment. 
 
Wishing your husband all the very best for his upcoming treatment. 

Epimax Oatmeal cream was prescribed for me...worked a treat...I still use it.