Post Radiation Advice

Hi. Welcome to the forum 

We discussed propolis here some time ago. One person said it stopped ulcers completely and other said it had no effect so I’m glad to hear it made a difference. 

Sophi120797 said:

does anyone have any tips for these 10 days to 2 weeks post finishing radiation?

These 2 weeks are much longer I’m afraid. The medics tell us we will be better in 2 weeks. It’s not true. The residual action of the radiation peters out around then but recovery only just begins. 
I was in morphine till 12 weeks before tapering off 

There is no pain killer apart from a local anaesthetic that removes the acute pain of swallowing but he could ask if the hospital can give him lidocaine. Not many do as it can be dangerous. 
Stick to smoothies for a while? Blitzed banana avocado peanut butter and full cream milk will give him most of what he needs 

Well done getting this far and still swallowing though. 

Thank you so much dani, I had a feeling the hospital underplayed the post radiation part… trying to keep him positive and determined. He’s on fentanyl patches and sometimes oxy but the pain level still remains a 7/10. He’s seeing someone tomorrow for the pain and hopefully they will have a more concrete plan. Thank you again for your response! 

Hi Sophi120797, his recovery is just starting which unfortunately can be very challenging, and not eating doesn't help. You say he is anti-feeding tube, does that mean he has one and doesn't want to use it? My tube was my lifesaver; I viewed it as a part of the treatment to get me well again. I would advise him if he has a tube start using it ASAP, it's no good putting obstacles in the way of his own recovery, he needs all the help he can get.

Ray.  

To aid eating I was advised by my CNS to take a little Oramorph just before, swill it around my mouth and throat area before swallowing. I was also fed by PEG tube, hated it, but it certainly helped recovery. Whole milk was one of the things I could tolerate, helped to boost my calorie intake.

Hi Ray thank you so much for your answer. He doesn’t have a feeding tube yet and he’s being very stubborn on the subject I’m afraid… I’m trying to change his mindset as mealtimes are so stressful for him & difficult for my mum and I to watch him suffer. 

Sophia 

Hi Micky - thank you so much for the recommendation I will look into oramorph. Sophia 

I hope he does change his mind; he will feel so much better without the worry of trying to eat. He would still be able to eat small amounts, and it would aid his recover.

Ray.

Thank you Ray - you’ve given a very helpful perspective! It will help me to convince him of the benefits & good to know you can still eat 

Hi thank you for kind words please it helped. Recovery is a marathon and not a sprint was my mantra.others have covered the peg / ng tube. Mine like others was my lifesaver if he’s hit one try get him to use it. It’s not a weakness using it. The oramoroh swilled round hys mouth 10-15 mins before will hopefully help. Think calories will he drink the high calorie ensures ?by week 3 I was drinking those fir around 75% of mt scales I’m only 5 foot and was told 2500 calories plus 2-3 litres of water each and every day. I did that and made a decent recovery. 
There’s no magic wand it’s down to him the patient snd you the carers to try to get him eating. Poached eggs to eat and full fat milk to drink  are good. 

Hugs Hazel x

Old biker, I couldn't agree more with what you're saying. I was determined not to have a ngt. What a relief it was having it after 10 days of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.