Partner diagnosed with Cancer of the Tonsils

Hi Joanne and welcome. All our journeys are different. You’re right that the first two or three weeks after treatment ends are the worst but life slowly comes back. The radiation does a heck of a lot of damage. Does your partner have a feeding tube fitted? The best strategy in the fight is to keep well nourished. He needs food to cope with the radiotherapy. I had an NG tube from three week for nine weeks but by six weeks after treatment  I could eat soft food and by 12 I managed a steak. Taste is a different matter. Mine is still improving at three years. 

I think other folks experiences can only be a guide. It’s not a race and if you take it day by day he’ll get there. 
Stay with us. There’s lots of help here

Best wishes 

Thank you for your reply Dani, very much appreciated. No, he doesn’t have a feeding tube fitted, nor does he want one! Being realistic though, he is aware that it highly possible he’ll need one over the course of the treatment. Even after the few sessions he’s had this week, he’s already went off food but he’s still feeling the after effects of the chemo, with feeling like he wants to be sick. He’s slept at lot this week which we expected too. The complication is that he is also type 1 diabetic, meaning he is insulin dependent. Under normal circumstances, he manages this perfectly himself so this is an added worry for me but the dieticians are involved and will see him next Wednesday. I’m just here, winging it and supporting him best I can and just taking each day as it comes. 

Support is all you can do. I wouldn’t have survived without my husband. Make sure you have his CNS contact details to hand and as he is being seen every day it’s easier to keep on top of things. Do make sure he actually tells them how he feels. There’s no point in being brave and there’s no need to feel too sick and in too much pain. There is a wide range of anti sickness medication and if one doesn’t suit another surely will. 
One tip is to take analgesia by rote. Pain is better controlled proactively. 
Being diabetic the dieticians will take extra care of him. 
Stick with it. HPV + ( and most are) oral cancers are eminently curable 

Hi Joanne a big welcome from me as well. I like Dani couldn’t  have done it without johm my hubby. He drove me ever day cooked cleaned got up with me in middle of night. Don’t get me wrong I was nasty to him some times I didn’t mean to be but the treatment takes it’s toll. I snapped at him for no real reason. I too had n g tube fitted end if week 3 until week 3 of recovery. The dietician will take care of him. Any questions just ask we’re all here fir your. Just remember our type of dancers respond well to treatment. As for his nausea tell the team we are all started off on the cheapest anti sickness meds there are others he can try. 
Hazel x

Hi Joanne and welcome.  I'm sure you'll find the forum a good place to be for understanding, support and advice.

As Dani said, as individuals we can respond to the treatment  differently and our recovery time can differ so don't automatically assume the worst case scenario.  It's good to be aware of things but best to take each day as it comes and deal with any issues if they arise.  Recent threads have highlighted the importance of not comparing your partner's recovery time with others.

Do keep in touch and wishing you both all the best.  Sounds like you're going to be a great support for your partner.

Linda x