Recently diagnosed

Hi and welcome.

There is a really useful thread HERE

Flowerchild said:

Also should I post this in 'Treatment' instead of this thread?

It's fine here

Flowerchild said:

re: feeding tube so didn't opt for PEG am now regretting this, thoughts anyone?

My trust didn't offer this at all but I did have a nasogastric tube at the end of week three/beginning of week four the I couldn't swallow anything. Make sure this is an option going forward as I hate to think how awful placing a PEG would be once you are having trouble eating.

I have a bog HERE which might be useful too

Hi Flowerchild, welcome to the group, it's good you have found us. As for asking questions when you meet your team, it's good to take a notebook to write things down, it can become an overload of information and you forget a lot, even better if you can take someone with you, two sets of ears. As far as the feeding tube goes, I would always advise people to have one if offered, you could tell them on Thursday that you have changed your mind, it's probably not too late to get one fitted. Stick with us, we're all here to help if we can, any questions just ask away.

Ray.

Hi and thanks for the info, I will definitely be asking if they can fit a PEG next week now. 

Mandy

Hi, I am hoping my husband can come with me as he needs to hear some of this stuff too, he has made most of my appoints so dar and work have been good with him, and yes two pairs of ears will help. 

Mandy

I am currently sitting in the breast clinic awaiting a mammogram as it was noted I have a small 6mm lump, but the oncologist has pretty much dismissed it as nothing, so I am hoping I get the all clear today.

Hi,

I am about 10/11 (I’ve lost count) weeks post treatment for the same thing. I had my rig tube fitted after my first week of treatment so it isn’t too late. I had to change to weekly chemo though to reduce the risk of infection. Good luck 

Hi, I’m Dan. I started week 4 of a six week treatment this week. Every week I have chemo too.

I was diagnosed with tonsil and lymph cancer in the summer. My treatment is at The Christie in Manchester, who I have found to be excellent. 

After diagnosis I drove myself crazy with Google, YouTube videos and various questions about my treatment and how I’d react to it.

My advice would be write things down, no question is stupid. A lot of the questions you’ll have will be answered in the meetings with the team. 

Just talking to the people having similar treatment to me has highlighted how different people’s experiences have been. 

Currently, I can still eat, although I have no taste at all. I do have to blend all food and supplement with the fortisip drinks. Swallowing is very painful but I’m managing well on the painkillers that are provided. I hope this pattern continues but each day it is getting harder. Still a fair way to go. 

They have talked to me about a nose tube if necessary and I’m okay if this has to happen. Although, I’d prefer it if it didn’t! 

The hardest thing I have found is the loss of taste to food. My smell is super charged and every type of food I see looks and smells amazing. Even McDonald’s which I normally wouldn’t be interested in smells like 5 star cuisine! 

Good luck Flowerchild. The support on this group and forum is great. I hope your pre treatment meeting goes well.You’ll be in good hands. 

Good luck once again

best wishes

Dan

I found the same. My sense of smell with regard to food was super strong. I found myself watching cooking programmes dreaming of all the food I wanted to eat. 10 weeks out and my taste is coming more and more each week 

Ah good to know thank you, I didn't have enough info to base a decision on when first asked and panicked lol sounds like a PEG is the way to go.

How are you feeling now?

 Eating?

Mandy

Hi Mandy,

yeah doing great. I replied on your other post it a fair bit of length