RT/Chemo plan confirmed and some other bits...

Hi Gene. Christmas Day is a Sunday so you’ll probably be treated on Christmas Eve then back on Tuesday. Some trusts do double sessions in which case it’s first and last in line on the same day. 
Do you need teeth out? It’s not clear 

Thanks Dani - if they had time they would take teeth but on risk balance they are saying keep as is. Risk to pausing / affecting RT from unhealed teeth extraction sites. So teeth as is.

It just means you have to take real good care of them. I had a top wisdom tooth out on treatment side a year after I finished. It was done at the hospital. No problems. 

Hi Gene. I had RT fall on Christmas Day and then New Year’s Day 2 years ago. They just missed those days out and did me the following days. It’s the overall dose that’s important so don’t worry about the timings too much.  As for the mask, they can adjust it by a few millimetres during treatment. I actually started putting weight on towards the end of treatment as I was taking in so many calories what with double cream, butter, Fortisips, ice cream etc. Then one day they removed the mask and my face was all dimpled like a golf ball so they decided to let it out a bit, and after that and it was much more comfortable. You’re absolutely right - it’s never dull! 

Thanks for response, appreciated. I hope the rig will be surplus to requirements but belt and braces from the team in case I can't eat/swallow much.

Belt and Braces is good.  From what I’ve picked up during my time here I think the RIG is pretty much standard with tongue SCC?  Mine was in my tonsil and they didn’t offer me one at the outset, although I could’ve had a RIG or a Nasal Gastric tube later if I’d struggled with eating too much. Also, different hospitals seem to do slightly different things. Good luck with it all. You’ll be ticking off those RT sessions before you know it!  

Cheers!

There is apparently a nationwide shortage of RIG tubes so may end up at B&Q

Hi Gene belt and braces approach is good. I had a session on a Saturday as one of mine fell in august bank holiday Monday. Do week after I did Tuesday to Saturday. I can’t believe shortage if rigs what on Earth are we becoming.!! NG tubes aren’t that bad I had 2 one 3 weeks into treatment the other lasted me 3 weeks into recovery. I had no extraction s just need to be extra vigilant on dental card. I have fluoride varnishes every 3 months alongside check ups every 3 months. Be proactive with dental care. Presume yih e got duraphat toothpaste. 
Hazel  
X

Latest - treatment starts 14/12 so mid way through the multiple various appointments, nuclear medicine next (aka do your kidneys work ok) :-) Masking up on Monday

Hi Gene with chemo you are given litres of saline prior to cisplatin infusion then afterward more saline solution is pumped into after it’s all to protect your kidneys. I’ve never had any issue s in fact I’m struggling to Think of  anyone that has had. With chemo just tell your team especially if you have any hearing issues. 
Hazel