Mother diagnosed with Head and Neck Cancer of unknown primary.

Well done Herbo's Mum. Once it starts she won't worry so much and neither will you. Though there is much yet to come at least you are all on the first rung.

Take care

Well done from me . Try and get your mum ti maintain her weight over these next few weeks eat what she wants to eat. Cream cakes and magnum ice creams were my treats along with lamb chops although not at same time. Keep popping on with any questions. 
Hazel xx

Dani/Hazel

Thank you for your replies.

My Mother was told she would need 3 of her back teeth removed, but it turned out the x ray was slightly smeared and following an assessment they will not need to be removed.

Well it's going to be 2 weeks of take aways and very grateful for the info on this forum, as we now know the types of food/medicine etc she will need during and after treatment.

 Apart from the lump in the neck there are still no symptons being experienced, but I understand that could change quickly.

It's a long drive for radiotherapy approx 70 miles each way, but thankfully with it being the school summer holidays the traffic should be calmer. Fortunately I have flexibility with my job so I can drive my Mother each day. 

Hi You’re welcome, i too  had no symptoms apart from larrynthr lump in my neck .Many if us have kingfish journeys but you’ll get into a routine ,I used the time in car to practice my swallow exercises (Think I scared a few  on the M62). I was fine the first 3 weeks apart from  a scratch feeling in my throat aftvtgeb3 weeks point it went downhill fairly quickly hence n g tube being fitted. My treatment started 14 July 2018 finished 31 august with pet Ct scan 4 January 2019 so similar dates to mine p,here u am 4 years later still alive and kicking. 
Any questions just ask
Hazel x

Hi Herbo. Good news about her teeth. I avoided any extractions too.

There's not much change in the first two weeks. My throat started getting a little scratchy by the end of week two. By the time I was in to week four I was tube fed. I suspect I gave up too easily but I reckoned there wasn't much point in fighting to eat. Your mum will get either Fortisips or Ensures on prescription when she needs them and all the drugs she needs. Fatten her up. Now's the time for everything she fancies.

My drive to RT on some days was 2 hours each way. My wonderful husband did it all. Some days when I had a consult of some kind and blood tests we were out all day. Chemo days are long ....but I avoided that too.

You sound a great daughter for advocating and looking after your mum xx

Just a quick update.

My Mother received a call today and was informed they would be doing the Radiotherapy on both sides of the neck as a precaution. (Originally one side of neck where lymph node involvement is).

There was nothing on the PETSCAN indicating lymph node involvement on the other side of the neck, but best to do it just in case.

Hi it’s not unusual to do both sides I got 75% on cancer side and 25% on non cancer side it’s precautionary just in case any stray teeny cells have wandered over and are too tiny for scan to pick up. 
Hazel x

Same here. My cancer was on one side of my tongue at the back but the tongue is considered a midline organ so I got hit both sides. The planning did spare one parotid salivary gland on  one side. The PET’s resolution is pretty poor at 5mm so It’s normal to get RT both sides. 

Week 1 update.

First 5 sessions of Radiotherapy and no side effects to report so far, but very early days.

Treatment is at Brighton and every day this week she has finished her treatment within 45minutes of arrival for her appointment.

My Mother has said the neck lump is softer than it was previously prior to treatment.

5 more weeks to go. 

That's a good start, all the best to your mum, with the rest of her treament.

Regards Ray.