Radiation of the Larynx

Hi CharlotteC and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

If you don't get any replies here, it might be an idea to also join the main head and neck cancer group as I'm sure you'll find people with the same type of cancer as you there. 

If this is something that you'd like to do, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi. Your friend is right. Your throat will get pretty sore and you’ll find swallowing really difficult if not impossible. If you are offered a feeding tube I’d grab the chance. 
I had RT to my neck ( to base of tongue) and I was on morphine and tube fed for 8 weeks. 
Latchbrook’s advice is sound. Post your question in the head and neck group which is much busier than the larynx one. 

hi iam sorry you are going thro this iam now 4 months post treatment and it can get harsh but its a gradual thing and the end result will all be worth it x

beesuit is right about the feeding tube no doubt you have been told you will need 1 i called mine my enemy but it was also my saviour once i got half way through my radiotherapy everyone is different but yes i did get very sore and very swollen and also used to spit out, its normal to be petrified i was as well but iam living proof u will get thro the other side of it even if at times u think u cant u will get thro it its a rollercoaster of a ride but the end result is worth it all iam the biggest wimp going but if i got thro it any 1 can always here if u want to chat x 

Hi Charlotte

My husband had radiotherapy and chemotherapy for stage 3 laryngeal cancer. We were fully prepared for the treatment to be 'brutal' and he had a PEG tube fitted in advance. However, he experienced very little effects and never had to use is feeding tube. Everyone's experience is different. 

Best wishes 

Jane

My husband was stage 3 9 weeks of RT which finished 2 1/2 yrs ago

unfortunately it appears to have returned, test etc should hopefully happen over next 2 weeks for proof.  Not sure what can be offered 2nd time around.  He is now 73 so chemo is not on offer again.  He has been fine until about 2 months ago we thought it was a cold, his oncology appointment was cancelled in February and this was the next appointment they could offer

My first husband had laryngeal cancer and sadly his treatment failed, but much earlier than your husband’s. He had a laryngectomy and recovered really well from that. 

I'm so sorry to hear that you and your husband are going through this. My husband finished his treatment at the end of August last year.  The fear of it returning is always there. 

It worries me that people with cancer of the larynx always seem to end up needing a laryngectomy. My husband is adamant that he would rather die than have one. 

JaneO said:

It worries me that people with cancer of the larynx always seem to end up needing a laryngectomy.

No not always so hold onto that. 
My first husband really did well. He had a good voice with a speaking valve and went back to work in a high pressure job. 
He lived really well for ten years before something else killed him. 
It is a life changing operation but not life limiting unless you are a keen swimmer. My husband would be the first to tell yours that it is infinitely better than dying gruesomely from throat cancer.