Bucephalus here.
Been a long time but I have had nothing to report.I read all the blogs I get but apart from one Lady a while ago I have not had the experience to help anyone.As I have said before,I have been a lucky boy(74) compared to to others I read about or talk to when having my cancer reviews ,now every 4 months.However for about a year I have had delayed side effects which to be honest were predicted by my team.I cannot swallow bread or pastries and the like without liquid.Also COPD( Mild Emphysema) has reared its ugly head which has no cure.Same for the swallowing with having all the tests.When I had the 30 sessions of RT,it not only burns the inside but also the outside of the neck.So voice box and any muscles suffered.Voice is down a few notes and swallow muscles do not know what to do ie:-PULL OR PUSH to get anyfood down,but I manage ok-no choice.The COPD gives me a frequent cough with phlegm/regular coughing bouts where you think you will not get a breath for a few seconds but it off.Spoke to GP and Consultants,no cure,just have to grin and bear it.Do get medication to try and ease the COPD,Acidex oral Suspension 4 times a day which helps a bit.The saving grace is the Codeine Linctus which can stop the coughing quickly.Only snag is that I can only use sparingly due to it being addictive plus it can give constipation.So have learnt to walk a fine dividing line.At least I have kept my voice box unlike others The discomfort at times is worth it for that reason alone as well as being alive with a pretty normal life.Some days energy reserves run low and I cannot walk as far as I used to,that's when my car comes in handy.I am now 3yrs and 3 months post treatment and still Cancer free.I wish you all well.Keep fighting and always make a list and talk to your relevant team, DO not wait for your next appointment if something is bothering you, and never listen to Dr.Google.Any advice get it if possible from the Community.Get phone numbers for relevant people you can get in touch with.I have them and have got same day appointments,not necessarily with one of my team,but on the team.I am sure you will have heard some or all of it before,this community was a great help when I started out and from what I read is keeping up the excellent work and contributions they all provide.Difficult i know,but try and enjoy the hols as best as you can.Hopefully speak soon.
Best regards and wishes.
Raymond.
Good to hear from you Raymond
Getting old, let alone cancer, does stuff to our bodies
I have a neighbour who manages her COPD coughing with codeine linctus too, unrationed, ....she just takes Laxido with it
Hopefully speak soon.
I rather look forward to your annual updates.
Keep them coming and keep well through the winter
Oh.....and Merry Christmas
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
