Awaiting radiotherapy -hello group!!

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Hi all,

I was diagnosed with SCC on 23rd October, I’ve had both tonsils removed, primary was on the left one and I have secondaries in the lymph nodes. Some cancer cells were right at the margin of the surgery so I need six weeks of radiotherapy which doesn’t start until 3rd February.

Although it’s nice to have a little bit of normality before I start, it’s also quite worrying having to wait and knowing that I still have cancer cells. I’m also dreading the mouth and throat sores.

I’ve seen some fantastic reviews of a mouthwash called Healios, Only available from America and extremely expensive. My consultant has said that it won’t harm me to try it, I just wondered whether anyone else in this group has come across it?

Anyway, I am very glad to be in this group and I’m sure it will be a great support to me in the coming weeks. Hope everyone is doing well. :-)

Peter E 17 hours ago

Hi Scorpio

Good luck with the treatment.... ask anything anytime

Not everyone is hit with bad side effects, some get off relatively lightly

Never heard of that mouthwash, give the forum some feedback?

Peter

Lorr O 16 hours ago

Hi I’m in a very similar position to you. Thought I’d say Hi!

Scorpio2710 16 hours ago in reply to Lorr O

Hi, and thanks - much as nobody wants anyone else to go through this, it’s always helpful to hear of someone in the same boat. When does your treatment start and are you having chemo? They’re not giving me chemo as I’m over 70 and they’re hopeful that the radiotherapy will be curative.

RadioactiveRaz 16 hours ago

Hi welcome from me. Re the mouthwash no I haven heard of it. I was given saline solution and kept my oral area as clean as I could.

we’re all happy to help ask any questions.

Hazel

Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz

My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now 6 years post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help

2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers

https://www.instagram.com/merckhealthcare/reel/DBs8Y0niJ8N/

https://oraclehnc.org.uk/signawaycancer

Scorpio2710 16 hours ago in reply to RadioactiveRaz

Many thanks, I’m sure this group is going to be really helpful!

Peter E 16 hours ago in reply to Peter E

Maybe this is the UK equivalent?.....Magic Mouthwash: A Magical Solution For Mouth Sores?

Scorpio2710 15 hours ago in reply to Peter E

Thanks, I followed the link and looked it up, but the ingredients are very different. I think I’m probably going to order some of the stuff from the US, as nothing ventured, nothing gained! It would be great to find someone who has actually used it though, and correspond directly with them:- I’m always a bit wary about online reviews!

Liz111 12 hours ago

Hello Scorpio

Welcome to the group we would all of us have preferred not to have needed to join! I wish I’d found it before my treatment started. I have certainly picked up a lot of useful information and advice.

Ive not heard of Healios. I was given Fluoriguard for conventional mouthwash use and Caphosol during radiotherapy.

Good luck with your treatment.

Liz

Scorpio2710 12 hours ago in reply to Liz111

Thanks for your reply Liz - did they help much with mouth and throat problems?

Liz111 12 hours ago in reply to Scorpio2710

The fluoriguard, no. That was more for dental protection. The caphosol eased discomfort. Later on I was given Difflam and gelclair which I found helpful, although the latter was a bit vicious until I got used to it. I would caveat all this a bit, because I know that in terms of mouth and throat pain I got off very lightly in comparison with others. My main issues were, and still are, withdry mouth and swallowing …but I’ll get there!

itnwould be interesting to know how you get on with the healios if you go for it.

Liz

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