Treatment Almost finished

Hi. So glad your son is nearly at the end of treatment. It’s true that RT effects are cumulative and the effects peak at 2/3 weeks after so he us going to feel pretty bad for a little while. As for coping it’s a matter of keeping on top of the pain and oral hygiene and  maintaining nutrition. I largely slept for those two weeks but did drag myself out to walk round the garden. 
it’s just time. The ulcers will heal and he can try soft foods when he feels up to it. I had my NG tube in for six weeks after treatment finished and started playing with food at around three

If your son can’t sleep because of the  pain then his analgesia is insufficient and needs altering  Do please insist on this before he is discharged from treatment as it will be nigh on impossible to do much about it once he is home  

Best of luck 

Hi Dani, thanks so much for your reply.  My son is on liquid morphine, not sure what else, I know he has a cupboard full of medication.  One of the problems he's having is if he sleeps for more than a couple of hours the thick phelgm in his throat accumulates and he finds it difficult to clear.  He has bicarbonate of soda to dilute in water to rinse his mouth which does help disperse the phelgm, but I'll mention to him about getting stronger analgesia for the pain.  As I've said before on here, it's so good to come on here and know that other people have had similar experiences.  I just wish there was something more I could do to help, but all the family are here for him and help in whatever way we can.  Thanks again for replying, you have helped to keep me going through all this x

Janet

x

Hi can onky agree with Dani make sure he has enough painkillers The next few weeks are tough I slept a lot my mucus lasted weeks it was a case if battling through it. I did find soda water it flat Diet Coke helped ti disperse it. Tabket wise I wS on co codomol and oramorph   Still on feeding tube until week 3. 
good luck

Hazel xx

Thanks Hazel, as I said to Dani it's s good that I can come on here and feel that so many people are willing to give such lovely help and advice.  I'll certainly tell my son about soda water and diet coke.  Take care of yourself and thanks again for replying.  

Janet

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Hi Janet,

Is he sleeping with a lot of pillows? I was virtually sat up on 6. Helped stop the phlegm going down my throat / blocking my nose. Is it just his mouth or nose & sinuses too? 

I was totally PEG for a few weeks, only managing a few sips of water after 30 RT. Am eating fairly normally now, swallowing all ok. Next 2 - 3 weeks will be tough, but it does get better. 

I was on fentanyl, paracetamol & oramorph. I basically slept for 2-3 weeks. As Dani said, get analgesia sorted this week. Getting from the gp was a nightmare. 

Take care, Ronnie 

Hi Janet 

I think most of us suffer the worst side effects for.the 2 weeks after radiotherapy.

I didnt suffer with the phlegm as much as others but my father in law did and was loaned a nebuliser from the hospital.  

Definitely recommend speaking to the team about the difficulty sleeping at night to see if he can get some better pain relief.

Linda x

Thanks for your suggestions Ronnie.  I'll pass everything on to my son.  Like you said, he's only managing a few sips of water at the moment, and using the feeding tube for his Fortisip etc.  Thanks for your support, it means a lot.

Janet

Hi Linda, thanks for your suggestions, I think the nebuliser is a very good idea.  I'll pass that on to my son.  He's only 3 more RT this week, then that's the treatment finished.  He knows it's going to be a difficult 2 or 3 weeks but he's trying to stay positive.  He's got the support of all the family which is really helping him to stay strong.  Thanks again for replying.

Take care

Janet

Hi please don't expect 2 week time it will be better its really more like 4 to 6 weeks at least but fingers crossed uses will get there best wishes always 

Thank you, today is his last treatment, his specialist told him yesterday he's done so well.  It's also our grandsons birthday today, so we will go to see them all when my son finished the last treatment.  Thanks again, everyone here is so helpful, it really keeps me going.  Take care x