Day 1

Hi Lillian good luck for tomorrow.Radiotherapy as such doesn’t weaken  immune system, chemo can knock you back a but. Just be sensible, we’ve known people get covid but still had to go for treatment everyday. As once it starts  they really don’t want you to miss any sessions. I still saw my grandson regularly and he was at primary school. Let us know how you get in the first week or 2 I didn't notice many side effects a bit of a scratchy throat that’s all. 

Well done in coping with the peg. remember if you need it use it.  It’s there for a reason. 
Hugs Hazel xx

All the best for tomorrow. Glad the PEG is ok. . 

All the best Lilian…take it easy and as Hazel said be sensible… 

i had 6 weeks RT and having young kids, 4 years in nursery and 14 years boy in secondary school, i was careful, but couldn’t look them in the house i had carrot and kale juice every day, and tried to indulge myself as much, have a rest, even i start to feel something is going on after week 5. 
good luck and journey just began… love marta x 

Thank you Hazel I appreciate everyone’s advice and I take it all in. I will keep in touch and let you know how I get on x

Lillian 

Good luck for Today Lilian.......You'll be through in no time. Lots of folk to help you on your way. No question is silly 

Good luck for today Lillian.

Hi Hazel, well the first week is over and at the moment the only thing that is bothering me is the really dry mouth, especially through the night   When do the other things kick in and what are they? xx

Hi Lillian well,done  in week 1 I was around 8:days in when all of a sudden my tea was in front of me and I just struggled to eat it. My dry mouth didn’t start until much later into recovery. It’s take it one day at a time continue doing what you’re doing and before you know it recovery will beckon. 
You might find sipping water during night might help.You could try xyimelts I found them too sticky during treatment but were a godsend afterwards and still are,, Just keep yourself well hydrated and eat as normal as you can. Keep your neck well hydrated after radiotherapy never put cream in neck before you have treatment.  I also started with a scratchy throat around week 2 nothing too uncomfortable.Keep in touch and good luck. 
hugs Hazel xx

For me I had a scratchy throat at the end of week two. Managed to eat Christmas dinner though. in the next ten days the discomfort increased. By the end of week three I had full blown mucositis which is the pain and ulceration you get as a result of radiation damage. Ulcer along tongue on one side, cheek and back of throat. It was at this stage that I couldn't swallow anything and had an NG tube placed. I was put on morphine and liquid food. Things Plateaued  at around end of week four. It didn't get more painful but I got increasingly tired. By the end I was really shattered. 

After treatment I got really sticky saliva for a few weeks which was replaced by a dry mouth

After three weeks the skin on my neck looked red and was warm to the touch. It didn't get much worse, perhaps a little flakey

That's my timeline but remember we are all different 

Just read the whole of your blog Hazel, I had only read the parts about post treatment before. I am wishing I hadn’t but as I live alone my daughters have said they will take turns staying the night if and when I need them to so I will have someone there to help me 

Lillian xxx