I have recently been diagnosed and had cancer removed from my cheek.

Good luck with your radiotherapy in August. Sorry to hear its so close to your eye but I do believe a positive mental attitude helps so stay positive and get yourself strong ready for your treatments. I have had to have 30 treatments. I had my 16th today. I am suffering a little with mouth ulcers, but I really need to keep my water intake up which I haven't been very good at. They recommend 2 litres of water per day and most days I haven't got anywhere near that. I only have 14 more treatments to go, so I am going to work on drinking more water and just take it one day at a time. You have 3 weeks until yours, I would suggest meditation, exercise and healthy foods for the next three weeks to prepare yourself. You will be fine. You are in good hands. I remind myself daily how lucky I am, I mean I could have been in a third world country and not had the NHS or Macmillan to help. I look forward to hearing about your progress. xx

Hi Vicki,

very similar to me, mine was T4N2, surgery & graft, chemo & RT. RT effects build up over the weeks, everyone reacts differently. Eating can be tough in the latter stages but focus on the fact that it does get better. Dry mouth can be an issue but it should also improve a bit. Take whatever pain relief & other meds on offer. I am 5 months post RT & starting to feel more like myself. Be patient, it is a slow recovery & it is a bit up & down but it does improve. Tingling, burning, loss of sensation is all normal. It is a tough road but it leads to a good place. Stay with it.

Steve

Thank you Steve

I am now 2/3 of the way through my treatment, I have a very sore mouth and problems eating but yes I am taking the pain relief I have been given and also having lots of vegan milkshakes. Thanks for your advice. Good wishes to you.

Vicki

Hi how’s things going. You must have finished your Radiotherapy treatment now. Hope you are recovering from it and looking to the future now. I start mine at the end of September but it’s goung to be done over 4 weeks and they are quite confident they can save my eye, all good news. Having a small operation in day surgery tomorrow to put a stitch in the corner of my left eye as it’s drooping a bit. My mouth is still lopsided so looks very strange when I talk or smile. Another thing to get used to I suppose. One step at a time still and still practicing my mindfulness. xx

Hi  there, nice to hear from you again.

Great news  that they can save your eye, Yay!!

They are doing your radiotherapy over 4 weeks so you will be having less treatments than me Yay again!!! I have finished all 30 of mine. The first 5 weeks went really well, the last couple of days of the last week were a little hard for me and I have been left with an ulcerated mouth, tongue and lips. I've been told that because Clive my tumour was so large they could not take out much surrounding flesh as there wasn't any left, so I was given a rather strong dose. I spoke to many people in the waiting room who had less treatments than me and they didn't have so much ulceration and problems so I don't expect you will either, but even with my ulcerated mouth I am glad that I went for the radiotherapy. It means I can look forwards and focus on healing without worrying and looking back over my shoulder in case Clive comes back to bite me on the arse.

Good luck in day surgery tomorrow. I am sure once your eye is done that will make you feel better. With regards to your lopsided mouth, keep doing the exercises you have been given because they really do make a difference. Keep on smiling. Good your still practicing your mindfulness.

Good wishes to you xx

Really pleased to hear are ok, hope your mouth heals up soon. This is one of the side effects I read about. My eye surgery went ok, both eyes are level now, bit swollen and bruised but such an improvement. Can I ask how your skin graft held up, someone Im talking to said theirs broke down and they are still having it dressed 2 years down the line. I’m hoping it will shrink mine a bit but they have said if it doesn’t they will do a bit of liposuction on it!! I have my next appointment with consultant after the Radiotherapy so he can see what needs doing next ie repair work. Will let you know how it all goes xx

Really glad to hear your eye surgery went ok, the swelling will go down and the bruising fade soon.

My graft is doing really well. My face is slowly going back to how it was. The flap was rather large at the beginning but I had my 30 radiotherapy sessions and had swelling and ulcers in my mouth, on my gums, tongue and lips but it has now been 2 weeks since my last radiotherapy session and everything is healing and returning to normal. The swelling has almost gone, the ulcers are fading and my face, mouth and lips are returning to how they were before. I have been feeling very exhausted but that too is fading. I will see my consultant again in another 3 weeks by which time I suspect all the swelling etc will be gone. 

If I could give any advice I would say stay positive, look after yourself with good nutrition and meditation, practice the exercises you have been given, and if you are worried about anything talk to your cancer team they have a wealth of experience.

Keep me up to date with your radiotherapy and remember I am here to help you if I can. xx

Hi, really pleased to hear you are recovering so well. Once again you have given me the encouragement I needed I’m going through the dental route at the moment, waiting to see if any teeth need removing and having a mouth guard made. Then the mask fitting is next. I also have appointment with Lymphadema clinic to help with some residue neck swelling and a hearing test 1st October. I am doing all exercises and keeping fit and healthy. My Yoga breathing got me through my eye operation, which was done under a local anaesthetic. So onwards I go into battle, will keep you updated and hope your recovery continues, you have done so well. xxx

Hi RT started yesterday and they decided they want to do it over 6 weeks. It’s so they can deliver smaller doses through a narrower beam in the hope it will give them a better chance to save my eye. So it’s for the best, better get prepared for the side effects. Hope you are still recovering well and your skin and mouth have healed up. How often are you going for check ups now. The dietician was pleased with my present weight and diet and hopefully I can continue to eat well throughout as have told them I don’t want a peg. Positive thinking and deep breathing will get me though I hope. xxx

Was just thin king of you and wondering how it is going. Smaller doses are good, but yes prepare yourself for side effects by continuing what you are doing, ie eating well and your positive attitude. I am doing really well now, side effects have nearly all gone and my mouth is almost back to normal. I have a check up this week and hopefully my progress will be good. I know what you mean about not wanting the peg, so even if you cannot manage to eat some foods eat what you can and replace missed meals with the milkshakes they give you. I find the milkshakes really nice. You are going to be fine I am sure, and once its finished you can move forwards with your life without looking over your shoulder. Keep in touch and let me know how you get on. xx