Little nervous. My spouse diagnosed with oropharynx. Doctors 1st thought nasopharynx but changed it last week. Started as mass on left side of neck, went to local Md and he removed. Came back sqaumous cell, primary base of tongue and stage III.

She had mask fit today. MD tells us both sides must have radiation since tumor is mid line.

What can we expect?

I'm not much help but hope these words will comfort you until Dr V gets back to you.
Hang in there and God be with you, shelley

Sometimes when you speak to God
You think he doesn't hear
Your heart is heavy, feeling sad
And no-one seems to care

Your guardian angel's always there
just close your eyes and feel
The peace and love from God above
He sees your pain is real

He'll send the comfort and the peace
Just take his hand, you'll see
There still is beauty all around
All this he sends for free

Hello Pel. My Husband has nasopharyngeal cancer and had loads of radio therapy. What do you want to know and I'll try to help you if I can. x

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

dear Pel, My thoughts are with you, having taken my husband through 9mths of treatment for tonsil cancer ,I cam empathise with you on how you may be feeling just now.
If you go to www.cancerbacup.org.uk, you will find lots of information on the effects of radiotherapy. Hope this helps. Come back if you need clarification. Best wishes to both.

Thanks for replying. We are reviewing information on Ethyol (amifostine) which she will be taking during radiation treatments. I researched this drug and it's seems to be used during chemo. Anyone have any history of it's use?

Hello PEL

Follow the link for Oropharnygeal cancer for more information. Amifostine is used to protect against some of the side effects of radiotherapy. People vary with regard to the severity of the side effects experienced and I suspect the radioprotection effect of Amifostine, side effects, etc vary. Hopefully someone will be able to tell you of their experiences.

Prof Upton's meticulous journal which started on 28 April 2004 gives a detailed journal account of his radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for his malignant neck cancer diagnosed in March 2004.

Best wishes
Vinod (in Jakarta)

Hi Pel, I had rad on both sides, so saliva glands are shot, dry mouth is a problem, when you sleep and your mouths comes open, the pain wakes you up, so I sleep with my hand under my chin, wrapped in the duvet; also eating is very difficult.
I had my lower molars removed prior to rad treatment, loads of toothache, salty taste to everything and all tastes deformed, but everyone seems to have a different experience.
BIG BEAR HEALING HUGS

Hi Garance, I to had radiotherapy on both sides of my neck and like you have problems with dry mouth espec at night. I felt that if I could use some form of moisturiser that would help as my tongue used to plit and bleed. I came up with cod liver oil. I take a teaspoon at night and swill it round my mouth for as long as poss. It seems to moisturise the tongue , although it tastes lousy untill you get used to it. I sometimes need to repeat this during the night but seems to help.
Maurice

Thanks for the help. My spouse started Monday the 5th, she is feeling fine so far.

Her shots of Ethyol(amifostine) delayed Mon-Tues. Started shots Wednesday and Thurs, no shots given on Fridays.

Morning all, most people seem to associate dry mouth with radiotherapy.Last year I had most of my lower jaw removed and a new one built out of bits and pieces from my left arm and they hacked all the fifty odd lymph node from the right side of my neck for good measure.I was spared the trauma of radiation.Now fifteen months downline I am in reasonable shape (except for what 69 years have done for me)I look a little different,speech is not quite the same but I eat everything there is .About the only problem I am left with (apart from the 69 years)is that I retire for the night feeling fine and wake up at about 2am because my mouth is as dry as a lime burner's clog, so the problem is not only caused by radiation.I will try the cod liver oil treatment, but I view the prospect with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.
Keep Smiling
John

Hi John, I know it tastes horrible but it works for me. I firstly tried the stuff with orange flavour but that stung my tongue. I have also tried sunfloweerr and olive oil. I think maybe the thing to do is just keep experimenbting untill you got one that works for you.
Hope you find one that works.
Maurice

Hi Lancs and Yorks, I thought they didn't get on ?
well every night after, cleaning in outh between each tooth , gargle ect, I use night and moring vitamin E capsules break them with teeth and swush around palate etc, however may now try thr cod liver oil, halibut oil is not so strong. Thanks for the tip.

Hi all, maybe I should try to patent this idea HaHa!

Good Morning Garance,
You are quite right.The houses of York & Lancaster have had their differences over the last six or seven centuries and some folks are still upset about putting Richard 3 in an unmarked grave at Bosworth field.But I'm sure Maurice will agree with me that we should set aside our differences concerning the wars of the Roses & deal with more important matters such as cod liver oil!
Keep Smiling
John

Hi John, I agree about the York/Lancs issue. However, being Irish (born in Portadown came to England at 7) we have a whole different set of issues. I must try the halibut oil as sugested by Garance although, i have quite got used to cod liver. Oh dear sometimes I think what sad people we are when the best we can talk about is oils HA HA!