Well I finally gave in and had to be admitted to hospital.Came out last week after being in for eights days.The treatment has finished but the pain was too much plus I had an infected neck from the radiotherapy burns.

My main problem was dehydration which was causing the doctor concern.This was brought about from lack of fluid intake.

The less said about the ward the better.There were no beds on the specialist ward so I was on an orthapedic ward who know little about my treatment and the specialist support I required.

My team of docs did visit it me every day to ensure I was not deteriorating and they felt it best for me to be at home rather than in the ward.

I am sticking to a discilplined course of

Mouth Hygeine
Fortysips intake
Water Intake

All three times a day

I have had these little blisters that first of all appeared on the front of my tongue and then have worked their way back to the back/top of the throat area and they are very sensitive to anything like touch ie it is bloody agony to drink or swallow.Therefore the Morphine(2 * 60 mg) per day is also being used in tablet form to ease the passage of fluids

To anyone it is vital to keep the throat active and get the fluids down for recovery and my doc seen me on Tues and was happy with my progress.


I am looking forward to a pain free Xmas

My weight is now at 67 kios which is 18kg down on my weight at diagnosis date(01/09/06) but strangely I have never felt more positive about my chances of making a full recovery


Well anyway the Xmas tree is now up
all the best
Robert

Well done Robert! The path of recovery is a bit slippery, but you will get to the top! You will make quick improvements in the next couple to months and it will slow down after that (I'm 11 months past the end of my treatment). Enjoy every minute of the Holidays!! Even if you cannot eat, no one said that you cannot drink a bit!!! Good Luck and once again, Congratulations!!
Mike

Hi Robert

Excellent positive thinking from you and as you have already identified the potential problem and are tackling it accordingly, that's a big step in the recovery process!

The weight loss maybe more of a concern for your doctors than it is for you (it was in my case as I was definitely overweight when diagnosed). I more or less knew my ideal weight and only got a bit worried when it went below that. When my doctors kept mentioning my weight loss, at one stage I tried to work harder to put nourishment into my body. That tactic backfired literaly and only resulted in puking it back out!

Anyway, this time next year, you'll be looking forward to your Xmas dinner as I am this year. It will 100% better than my milk shake of last year - not even turkey flavoured

Good luck with your recovery

Pete

Well done Robert, the worst is over now. Sometimes it's hard to believe that the treatment is supposed to make you better. Keep trying to eat and drink, as if you don't nourish your body you just won't heal. I didn't eat for quite a few weeks, I could barely manage to sip water, and anything I did try to eat just came back up. I lost 3 stone, and when I next saw my consultant they were surprised that I hadn't healed. I nearly ended up back in hospital for a biopsy. So keep in touch with the specialists and with your own doctor, and let them know of any problems you are having.

I hope that everything goes well for you, and that you make steady progress.

Robert

I’m running about 3 weeks behind you, I’ve got two day’s left I don’t know if I can face it if I’m truthful. I didn’t know that drinking water could hurt the mouth so much! I’ve been on Scandishakes for two weeks now as food stopped, trying to get water down me all the time as been advised by you all. I’m sleeping most of the time. How long before you acutely see an improvement after the last Nuke session? 1, 2 or 3 weeks? Not worried about skin etc it’s the month how long before I can stop the crying in pain when I drink water.

Rolf
31 Radiotherapy session completed 2 to go 27&28 Dec

Rolf

It has now been four weeks since I finished my Radiotherapy and I can say that things are getting better every day.We obviously have different experiences and treatment and our paths to recovery from the side effects differ,but it does get better.

I had a particulary bad reaction to the radiotherapy resulting in hospitalisation but now I am comfortably taking in fluids and also managing to get fortysips down me as much as I can.Ps I find fortysips less painful than scandishake,particulary the chocolate variety.

My doctor is adamant that water and supplements need to be consumed regulary regardless of the pain as this is the only path to normality ,hard that that may be.But my improvement is represented by the fact that I recently managed to consume some trifle(with lots of whipped cream) and also cornflakes with hot milk.The more soilds the quicker the recovery.

Also I always drink tepid or warm water as I find it less traumatic.

One thing I also do before eating is to rinse my mouth with Lemon Mucilage (an asprin dissolved in the solution)This has the effect of numbing the mouth area ,whilst keeping it clean and also creating a little bit of saliva

Also I am still taking a dosage of morphine tablets,even though reduced it still helps.I take mine at 10am and 10pm respectively

Each day is a day over in terms of treatment.You are about to reach your first milestone ,ie the end of the course of Radiotherapy and it is worth comforting yourself in the fact that its all about recovery from here.

The two weeks after are difficult but just treat each day as a victory.I feel 100% better now ,a few issues in the morning and at night but thats bearable

I wish you all the best my friend

Robert

Robert
Many thanks for your reply. I have today completed the course. I can now like you look forward to the recovery. I have tried you tip on tepid milk and water and yes what a difference, thanks I hope all is going well for you on your recovery.
Rolf