I am new to this anyone else suffer with throat cancer

Hi Paddle and welcome to this friendly and informative group.  I've not had the same as you, but there will be others along over the next day or so that will have had.

Thank you Peter

Hi welcome to our little grouo. I’m 3 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes now 3 years post treatment snd living my life to the fullest.

Hazel

Thank you Hazel, good to know, will read your blog. 

Shirley 

Hi Paddle, welcome. chris2012 and MikeO our Community Chaps are both Laryngectomees and I'm sure will be along soon to lend a hand.

Best wishes

I like the way you ask the question has anyone else had it. I and many others certainly have. You dont tell us how you feel. Most of the posters here say the treatment was successful meaning no after effects and life almost same as before. I am sorry to say that I seem to be the exception on here. Maybe it is my age older than most. Life has really taken a turn and is certainly not the same. I really cant do anything the same. That includes breathing eating drinking bodily functions sleeping walking etc. Since you ask about feeling, I feel ok and hardly ever take painkillers, and only one thyroid tablet because of the operation. 

Thank you Seeker1 , I feel ok, and my surgeons are cautiously optimistic that they have cleared the cancer.  But as you say my life has changed irrevocably, I was a swimming teacher and because I am now a neck breather I can’t swim currently, and I also had no voice for 5 months, as base plates didn’t fit my neck.  I now have a Larry button that makes life easier and am in the process of having a bespoke one made to be a better fit.  I am doing my best to carry on with as much of my life as is possible, but many new situations that need to be overcome.  But staying positive 

Shirley 

I am quite sure they have cleared the cancer, mine is also I am sure clear after five years. Your present voice is not your real one I suppose. I checked what a larry button is I dont have one, I have just a hole without one. Am interested to know why one needs one. After five months I dont think much will change or that new situations will come. Yes my mouth ruined by the radiation is getting worse, and I continually need an endoscopy to dilate the food pipe. As I have written here I think they overdo the caution of not getting again with the amount of radiation they give. 

As I had my voice box removed I have a valve in my throat which with the lary button and an HME allows me to talk.  I need to have protection for my stoma, as I breath through the stoma in my neck.  No  my voice is not the same as it was before my operations.  Sorry to hear that your mouth is so sore and the difficulties that you have with eating. Hope that makes more sense

Shirley

Thanks. I dont seem to have any 'protection' for my stoma which I also breathe through but I dont have a valve at all. I havent spoken for the last five years, and didnt want to make an extra hole in my food pipe to be able to let the air into my mouth. I can type so I manage quite well without. Except the hospital will not let me use their computer although it is just lying there, saying it is against their rules so I always have to bring my own. My mouth is not 'sore' but not having any teeth my mouth isnt strong enough  to chew any food at all.