My 75 year old husband had 6 weeks of radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer which finished just after Christmas 2025.
He has recovered well and 2 weeks ago got the all clear following a PET CT scan. However, he has been left with dysphagia and choke risk.
He has been managing it well and eating and drinking most things, though mainly soft foods.
But... last week the SLT team put the fear of god in him and since then he has been refusing to eat. I've had to be tough with him to get him to eat but he can't get the negative 'you could die' messages out of his head. Even after seeing the ENT consultant a few days later, who was very positive, said his throat looked healthy and symptoms being managed well. Obviously a full laryngectomy may need to be considered if things ever get worse.
But now my husband is in a cycle of panic. He's breathing loudly and quickly and is frightened and anxious. I am struggling to get him to eat and drink and he is just latched onto the idea of dying.
I rang 111 yesterday and the doctor said medically he seems okay but psychologically he needs help and holistic care. They are going to write to his GP.
I am at wits end and don't know what to do anymore. I am furious with the SLT team.
I rang 111 yesterday and the doctor said medically he seems okay but psychologically he needs help and holistic care. They are going to write to his GP.
Did anybody actually see him?
I suspect not otherwise they wouldn’t have referred your husband back to the Gp.
phone your husbands CNs to get an appointment back with his team.
Would you share what his SLT said?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
