Well my husband has been home for just over a week now. He is doing really well, good days and bad days but mostly good on the whole. He is getting the hang of all his equipment but does say it takes for ever but I’m sure he will get quicker with time and practice. He is struggling to move his neck and head and lifting his arms but again hopefully this will improve.
I didn’t sleep for the first few nights as before he was a terrible snorer and now I can hardly hear him breath, he is the one kicking me to shut up now!!!
Today he had an appointment with his consultant and he seems pretty pleased with his progress and reasonably positive that they have removed all of the cancer. But the dreaded RT conversation was brought up they are recommending that he has 30 rounds. We are both very nervous about this, from reading all of your comments, my research and my own experience (I had 35 rounds) At the moment he is able to talk using his speech valve and is eating pretty normally and the side effects seem an incredible risk to take at present, so are minds are in a bit of a whirl.
Well back to the day job tomorrow, my nursing holiday is over for now
I hoping my supper will be waiting for me when I get home from work, or I will have a starving husband waiting for me? We shall wait and see
Lynda x
Everybody's position is special to them, when I was offered it I had been advised by the Consultant prior to the operation of the damage Chemo and RT prior to the op can do and that they have to rebuild the whole area if they wish to perform a Laryngectomy and the posibilty was there that the op may not work to give me the opportunity of speaking afterwards, so, I was on my guard when it was suggested , even though I had had a lymph node on my Thyroid removed that was the area generally the throat area and the reduction in possibility was from 15% TO 7% so felt the dangers weren't worth the risk
I have now just gone through Chemo and RT for osophogus cancer - not related to the previous- and I have only just 12 weeks later got over the imense mess it made of my stoma I can't describe the state it was in, but it does come back, however the thought of having that problem so soon after the op and only just getting used to the cleaning and care that it takes would have freaked me out. My only thoughts are do as Danni says get the checks and balances in place, it's enough getting over the op and the changes that makes without further problems and the treatment does knock the hell out of you, I think by memory the treatment has to take place something like 12 weeks after the op may be more may be less.
Take Care and just keep asking the questions to all your helpers-MacMIllan/Consultant/Oncologist- that's how many will be involved
Tony x
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Onwards and Upwards
Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
