Hi All, update for tim(wanna play guitar) diagnosis Tonsillar cancer (right) HPV +16 T2N1M0 Last year. Completed treatment 5/3/21 with 6 x Chemo. Cisplatin plus 30 rads.
Week 17 post treatment.
Hi All, Not a lot of change really. Had one episode of “fatigue” that made me stop driving as I thought it might cause an accident. I pulled over and had to doze off for half an hour!
This did the trick but reminded me that your body is in control of the amount of energy available and when you overdo things it lets you know immediately that you’re running on empty.
One of the big things on the tiredness front is definitely hydration. I have to make sure I drink at least 3 pints of water/juice throughout the day or I know my energy will flag. The trouble is I’m not always thirsty and have to drink when I don’t want to.
I have the results of my PET/CT scan this Friday. I’ll post results. In the meantime I received a letter from my Consultant saying that my MRI, although has some abnormality, didn’t appear to show any suspicious lesions clinically. Obviously, the PET scan will either confirm or deny this.
Heres my resume for side effects this week:
FATIGUE: As said, only one episode this week, so not too bad.
MOUTH: Still a mess really. I don’t have any sores but my tongue burns and I get rough sandpaper like areas on the inside of my lips, roof of mouth and top of tongue. So no improvement. Difflam and salt/bicarbonate rinses do help.
NEUROPATHY: Fractionally better this week but slow repair.
XEROSTOMIA: (dry mouth) Still no improvement here, sadly. Possibly the most debilitating side effect for me.
TASTE: I do get some taste some days. But it disappeared for 3 days this week and gets you down having to eat just for eating’s sake. It seems your appetite is suppressed at the same time. I still get hungry though which normally overrides the nil taste.
LYMPHODEMA: The massage really works here. I find the more active in the day I am the quicker the fluid dissipates around my neck. Am waiting for appointment to come through at the Lymphodema clinic.
MIND: As I say most weeks. It is what it is! It’s all about adapting to a new way of life, which is difficult.
Anyway, that’s all for this week folks. Any observations, advice etc. Is most welcome. Have a peaceful week. Best wishes
Tim
