Hello I’m new on here and need advice please

Hi. My husband has just finished six week course of chemo and radiotherapy for tonsil cancer. The tumour grew into the side of his neck so surgery wasn’t an option. He coughs up a lot of phlegm, sometimes bloody which we were told was normal. If it’s really bloody (just red blood) then I would contact his team. Morphine and paracetamol has been a life saver as well as his PEG line. My husband can’t swallow anything (since week 2). We have crushed tablets up and dissolved in a warm water which he can just about swallow, it helps. All the best to your husband. And you xxx

Thank you, I appreciate your message, I will try crushing the tablets, he sleeps a lot which is fine and I’m glad he does, it’s horrible to see your loved one in so much pain. Well done to your husband for getting through the 6 weeks of treatment. Take care both of you. xx

Hello Tizer, Sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis. Everything you describe sounds perfectly normal for the situation including little amount of blood in the mucous.

I have a PEG which I used for all nutrition and medications. Some meds were in liquid form so I just used the small syringe to put them in , and any that were pills I crushed up and mixed with water, then used the syringe. My experience was that I couldn’t swallow anything until several weeks after treatment finished so relied on the PEG for everything. 
I know sometimes it is worrying, but you can have confidence that he can get all the pain relief he needs, and eventually things will improve- sometimes you have to ask for pain relief but usually the medical team are on it already.

All the best to you both,

Laura.

Thank you Laura, I’ve managed to get the co-codamol to dissolve in some warm water and my husband has put it through his peg. He said he can’t drink anything. Thankfully he goes tomorrow for more treatment and can get the meds he needs. Thank goodness for the feeding peg. Take care Mandy x

Hi Tizer 

I had simular treatment to yr hubby the radio is brutal and can bring up little bits if red with your spit dont worry think its nornal but make sure he asks his team if hes worried about anything they will help you they are amazing.

I have a peg its a lifesaver in these situations has makes things so much easier when your struggling.

As for your painkillers make sure that they get you soluble tabs or liquid so much easier that crushing tabs ive tried it not fun especially when you have 2 do it so often.

You have enough to worry about taking everything on board so let them take care of the rest.

All the Best 

Chris

Hi has others have said for today crush his medication and mix with water them syringe via the peg. Tomorrow ask for soluble tablets to be prescribed and oramorph for starters. Is the peg for hydration and nutrition i was n g  tube fed for last 3 weeks and firstb3 weeks of recovery. A little blood in phlegm is ok just keep eye in amounts. Yes the treatment bruatal but here I am 4.5 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer and lymph nodes.  Just take it ine day at a time and keep his team uo to date with his side effects. I had a nebuliser for the phlegm loaned form hospital. 
Hazel x

Thank you Chris,

The peg will definitely be a lifesaver he was doing so well, but the hospital did say 2 weeks into treatment it’s when it hits. Take care and thank you for your advice. Mandy x

Hi, it’s good to hear you are 4.5 years post radiotherapy and keeping well, Thsnk you for advice,yes the peg is for hydration feeding and meds, My husband thought he wouldn’t need it or hoped he wouldn’t on week 2. Thank goodness it is there. He just can’t drink anything as it’s too painful. Is that normal that he can’t even drink water? He can ask his team tomorrow they’ve been amazing so far, Mandy x

Hi. I had a PEG & used it from week 4 of treatment. I used it for hydration, liquid meds ( codeine, morphine & soluble paracetamol) I linked up to a small pump for overnight feeds. I had steroids as small soluble patch that melted under the tongue. 
Stay strong, the treatment is brutal but there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

Hi Mandy, yes I was the same I got to the start of weight three. I think it was a Tuesday evening I couldn’t eat or drink water. I did find bottle water easier than tap water, but I could only sip it very slowly through a straw.

I also could drink it slightly warm about 15 seconds in the microwave is the optimum temperature for me for a period of time it is our trial and error and we are all different. Some people manage to go all the way through even though they have a peg without needing the others like your hubby.m it’s like hitting the wall in a marathon. Glad your team are supportive. Ask them to check tomorrow for oral thrush as that can have an affect on eating drinking and swallowing. Presume has Jo a fat toothpaste and a gentle mouthwash to use are use bio extra.Presume he has duraphat  toothpaste a gentle mouthwash to use  I usedbio extra. I used to to take min at bedtime  doing oral hygiene. 
Hazel x