Post treatment side effects update.

Hi Jane, you are very early days in recovery at the moment. The RT will still continue to work for 2 to 3 weeks, so make sure you are up with your painkillers. If you have a feeding tube, it's best to use it now and don't worry about eating for the time being. Hang in there things will start to get better slowly.

Ray.

Hi Jane 

The treatment and recovery is tough, no gain without pain is certainly true for us, but things will get better, slowly at first then gain pace....it's very good that your are in daily contact with nurses.... don't hold anything back.

I finished Chemoradio in June 2023 ..was put straight into hospital due to rapid weight loss...felt and looked miserable....Late October 2023 I was in Tenerife ...eating well and swimming....there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Peter

Hi JaneD

Tony here one of the Online Champions, I have had both Throat and Oesophagus cancer, the latter I had chemo and Radiotherapy treatment so had pretty much the same problems as yourself, they do wear off but it does take time so please stay with it.

A very good source of support and information and all sorts of meetings and product support is a small Charity called Swallows, this is the link to their website :

https://theswallows.org.uk/support/resources/

The other support that we at MacMillan offer is our Buddy Service which gives you 12 weekly calls of support from one of our Volunteers you can get anyone of your support team to refer you or you can yourself this is the link if you are interested

 https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/macmillan-buddies

And as usual you will always get support on this forum,

Hope all goes well and take care,

Tony

JaneD said:

how long do I need to cope with things at this level? 

Hi Jane. I was on morphine til 12 weeks for this very reason and that kept me comfortable 

Ray is spot on. The RT has a residual effect for 2/3 weeks so up your pain killers, feed by tube, sleep and you’ll get through. 

Hi you’re  in the eye of the storm so to speak. The treatment continues to work for next few weeks. I spent the first 2 weeks mostly in bed or on sofa. I woke for feeds meds and hydration I had no concentration tv was on no idea what I watched. It will get better you just need to keep doing what’s your doing I was also on oramorph for around 12 weeks please remember don’t stop it yiu need a phased slow withdrawal when times right 

hugs Hazel 

Hello Jane

Gosh I feel for you, you are at probably the lowest point of what we go through - but things should start to improve soon. Frequent rinsing with a weak solution of salt and bicarb can be really helpful for mouth problems. But it's mainly about resting and letting your body recover - which it will. 

Sending love & sympathy

Catriona