Hi everyone.
Hope everyone is progressing and feeling a little more in control thanks to the information we share on here.
Just wanted to update at the end of our fourth week. I always say 'our' as I'm sure all those partners out there you are walking every step with your loved one.
my husband has had 20RT and 4 chemo sessions. (10 to go)
Doing ok, some weight loss but now keeping a daily diary of calories and water intake. Using peg most of the time now with the allocated protein shakes, some porridge and variety of pasta to keep the swallowing going. Regular sips of water but main intake through tube.
Throat mouth and particularly right side of tongue all sore, using liquid paracetamol with alternate ibuprofen melts. Which seems to keep the pain so far manageable.
Some ulcers so gel applied 4x daily along with mouth wash, teeth clean. Clear of thrush so far.
Skin holding up well, redness on neck. Cream from hospital and aloe vera applied 4x a day. Lips no sign of becoming drt, using a lovely beeswax lip balm.. x
Constipation ongoing, team working their way through various meds. It's a topic of convo constantly with the team aa we know it needs sorting.
We know week 5,6 and beyond is the for most people the business end of the side effects so we are as ready as we can be.
Just hope and pray its not as bad as we know it could be.
Thank you to everyone. Xxx
Hi Gail.
Thanks so much for the update
It all sounds pretty good. By week 4 I was on morphine and nil by mouth so he is doing pretty well
Laxido or Movicol regularly seem to be what does the trick for us all. I took two a day and it kept me regular.
I never got thrush as I was really OTT with the mouth stuff. It hurt like hell for ten seconds but I swore by Chlorhexedine mouthwash before bed. It came in the pharmacy I was supplied with in a bag by my team. It kills all bugs including yeasts and leaves you a clean mouth over night (but don't use it within 30 minutes of the Duraphat toothpaste or it won't work)
I must say that my pain ramped up nastily over a weekend at the end of week three, but I was on paracetamol only. Once my pain relief was sorted it was a game changer and I sort of plateaued with it never getting much worse. I did sleep a lot for two weeks after treatment end. I was exhausted mentally and physically.
Best foot/feet forward
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
