Hey

Hi Hippycat and welcome to the community. So sorry you have both found yourselves here. There is absolutely no need to apologise. You must be at your wit's end. It sounds like he is in the best place to manage his chest infection. I had base of tongue cancer but no node spread. The radiation therapy isn't a walk in th park I'm afraid and your husband will need quite a bit of support in the coming weeks.Do you know whether the lung cancer is a separate issue? It makes a difference with treatment. Is he having chemotherapy at the moment?

I had to be tube fed for a while but had an NG tube not a PEG. Some people report quite a bit of discomfort and pain initially with their PEG but it settles eventually.

I know it's hard because you don't know what the future holds and you imagine all sorts. The main thing at present is to look after yourself. Make sure your husband has given permission for his clinical team to discuss his case with you so that you can stay properly in touch with his doctors and his Clinical Nurse Specialist. CNS.

Don't Google. you will scare yourself with inaccurate and out of date information

Keep in touch with us and let us know how things go and best wishes to you both.

Thank you so much for you reply. I was feeling very overwhelmed and scared yesterday hence my post being long. Not what I planned as my hello!!. I have full permission for everything to be discussed with me but its so hard knowing who to call when. Its been so chaotic the phone calls with community support nurse I have missed this as a citizens advice call yesterday. I was sat in the hospital. I'm finding my focus is solely on my loved one and there seems to be no time to deal with the other stuff at the moment. The consultant is not trading the lung cancer just focusing on the neck for 5 days intensive radiotherapy then review. From the beginning they were concerned about his copd but he has never had these issues before low oxygen extreme drowsiness. I've just woken up in total fear for what today brings.

Forgot to mention they have said only treatment possible is radiotherapy nothing else.

Hi HIppycat - welcome and I hope we can offer you some support as you and your husband goes through this treatment.  Dani has said most of what needs to be said.  As to his, treatment do not worry if chemo is not on offer.  These cancers get treated using a combination of surgery, radio and chemo.  Not all are used in combination and it seems only recently that chemo is more frequently used alongside radio; 2 years ago it was often only radio.  In my case I've only had surgery. 

Trust in you clinical team to to the best attack on the cancer.  Get to know your CNS as they are there to help you get through this.  It may also be good to make contact with your local Macmillan branch to see what advice and practical help they can offer you.  It is important you look after yourself as your husband will rely on you in the coming weeks and you need to be able to be there for him.

PFJTHS. Many thanks for your reply. I was so worried about actually posting. Thought I would spend a while just reading forums getting used to site. Sadly yesterday I needed this site so much and I so appreciate people like yourself responding with positive practical advice. I know we are not alone in this. Having this forum is going to help get me through this as no one gets it. There are lots of lovely friends being concerned but that's so different from here where you wonderful people have been through similar issues so can really relate Blessings to you Hiipycat

Hi Hippycat Welcome to our small community group sorry you’ve found yourself on here. Dani has said everything so won’t add to that. Yes radiotherapy is brutal I was 61 when diagnosed with tonsil cancer with lymph node spreads I had   35 radiotherapy sessions and 2 chemotherapy. 
if we can help just shout out. 
Hazel x

Unknown said:

Many thanks for your reply. I was so worried about actually posting.

Don't ever worry about that. The people on here know exactly how you and your husband feel because they have been there themselves. That's the best sort of peer support.

Beesuit . I am just so overwhelmed with what is happening at the moment. Since the peg was fitted my husband has just declined rapidly. He has a chest infection ( copd). Everyday they say he's coming home then his oxygen levels drop. I'm just sat watching him sleep as he holds my hand tight. It breaks my heart leaving him in the hospital me putting on a brave face. I just don't know what to do or what the future holds .He has his 5th and last session of radiotherapy on Monday before the consultant reviews the plan. I am lost.

I bet you’re lost. It’s the uncertainty that’s so difficult. All you can do is be there. I know it’s hard. Hugs. Xx