Tonsil cancer

Hi Ann welcome to our small community wow 14 years well done to you and your husband. As for humidifier sorry can’t help I had a humidifier but only used it for treatment snd first week weeks into recovery. I used mine during the night and if I slept in daytime.

maybe one of the others may know more. 
best wishes 

Hazel

Hi Hazel 

Many thanks for your reply ,  I have mentioned it to Steve throughout the years, although we never used one whilst undergoing treatment. Never thought about it back then.

And yes 14 years ago,  Steve was 42 at the time, so relatively young for the type of cancer.  He’s cancer had spread from tonsil to right lymph node in neck (lump) to a few specks that had gone to left hand side of neck.

Had very hard radical treatment, high dose of radiotherapy (which we found out in later years) was 67.7 and 5 chemo sessions once a week in conjunction.

Regards

Ann

Hi Ann

Congratulations to you both on the 14 years.

I'm wondering whether it would be worth enquiring about the possibility of having a Video Fluoroscopy Swallowing Exam so they can check your husband's swallow function.  It should pinpoint what's causing the swallow difficulties and there may be something they can do to improve things such as a dilation of the esophagus.

Good luck.

Linda x

Hi Linda

He has had the test, is meant to be having another but Covid has put all back. 
The was a sort of chance of rebuilding the damage areas but it could have collapsed anyway. He may have to eventually go back on to the peg feed.  But we knew that after treatment.

He is in the throws  of having a biopsy, tiny lumps have appeared, it may be grandeur but  oncologist want the biopsy to be sure.  Unfortunately today it was postponed as local hospital hasn’t any ICU beds.  There is a risk it could go wrong due to the previous damage.  He has already been referred to UCL.  

Regards

Ann

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Hi Ann good to know that 14 years have gone by. I had 35 radiotherapy sessions snd 2 x10 hour chemotherapy. Linda has come up with an excellent suggestion. Treatment has improved also sids to recovery might be worth contacting your g p. 
good  luck and let us know how you get on. 
Hazel x

Hi Ann. It sounds as if you are already on the right track to see if this can be improved. Radiotherapy 14 years ago wasn’t as targeted as today so collateral damage is much worse. My oncologist told me that when he first started the treatment saved lives but did awful damage. I don’t know if your husbands remaining salivary function can be salvaged after so long. It’s so unfair. I have watched my submandibular salivary glands wither from walnut to pea size 

Auricular acupuncture is worth trying as is sugar free chewing gum. 
I wish I could think of something else. 
All the best