Radiotherapy side effects

Hi Val. I plateaued at around end of week 4 but the pain was still pretty rotten for another 6 weeks before my ng tube came out. So to answer your question… yes it is but make sure his pain relief is adequate. I had long acting morphine twice a day on top of two hourly oramorph/ paracetamol. It was an absolute game changer. 
I quickly gave up bolus feeding during the day and pump fed slowly through the night. 
Its rubbish for a while  but take it a day at a time. 
Let him sleep and rest but make sure he gets up to take a turn round the garden. He will do this and there’s only another three or four weeks before he starts very very slowly to pull out of this. 
Make sure he has enough analgesics when he finishes. When the wrap around care stops it’s like falling off a cliff. 

Thank you so much. He just rang me, after l sent this another chap was admitted to the bed next to him with the same thing to have a feeding tube fitted. Just having someone else to talk to and having the same side effects he sounded so different from earlier. I have pasted your reply to him as well. Xxx

Hi Val. The feeding tube will help him mine was a lifesaver. 5 years ago tomorrow my tube was fitted and now it’s a distant memory. Today just had lunch with friends we met on the radiotherapy waiting room hence the memory jog of my tube. Make sure like Dani says he has adequate painkillers.  Let him rest sleep and listen to his body. Recovery is as important as the treatment. The first 2/4 weeks are hard but baby steps will get him there. 

its difficult to explain as you dont realise how many things are going on , I think I just resigned myself to the fact that this time will pass and it does . Send him a virtual pint from me please . All the Best 

It's a grim time, no doubt about it, but the other side is in sight. I found the feeding tube really helpful and used overnight pump feeding as others have said, also oramorph - tell him not to be brave just take the painkillers. We get through this and before long it seems like a distant bad dream.  Sending love

Catriona 

ValH said:

. He just rang me, after l sent this another chap was admitted to the bed next to him with the same thing to have a feeding tube fitted. Just having someone else to talk to and having the same side effects he sounded so different from earlier.

Oh I am so pleased. At least he knows he is not alone. It takes a peer to understand. It’s why this group does so well. My crisis came in New years Eve and I was admitted because there wasn’t a nutrition nurse on duty, and no consultant to organise decent analgesia. I spent the night on a cancer ward where everybody was so bloomin cheerful I could have thrown myself out of the window. I watched the fireworks on Mumbles Head and they let me out on my birthday 4 days later. 

Yes that's what John said. Sitting there while everyone was tucking into a cooked breakfast and Sunday lunch. Hopefully the other chap being in the same boat will help xx

Val Have you told him I got him a pint , that should cheer him up no end 

Yes lol 

Hi ValH, as mentioned by other contributors, the treatment is tough however having a RIG btube fitted was a lifesaver for me as I really struggled with eating due to nausea. I didnt feel envious other people eating at all as the very thought of it made me ill. I did continue to feel very poorly for a while after treatment and it was 4 weeks before I started to eat solids. Two years later I am now well and and eat and drink a wide range of food although I do struggle with meat. It does get better!

- John