Well I now got the results of all the various tests. Lung Cancer is confirmed (squamous cell) but uncertain whether or not it's from the original in tongue or a bright new one.

Plus point (?) is that chemo is recommended, waiting for the appointment with the oncologist.

So can any of you experts out there give me tips for surviving chemo.? My wife (who's been there) suggests """lay back and enjoy it""" .

I know it's like any other treatment that we each re-act differently, but let's generalise. Jokey suggestions will be most appreciated.

Dear Pikeman���..What a Bummer. I said this before I know, but you will cope. You have the will to conquer, and this you will do. My thoughts are with you and your family at this moment.

Sorry Pikeman, don't know anything about chemo, but on a jovial note, may I suggest you take some of Pauline's muffins with you - they seem to be magical. (Liquidised of course).

Kind thoughts

Rosemary

Hello Pikeman

Sorry to hear you didn't get the all clear. CancerBACUP's guide to Chemotherapy will be of help, as will be the National Cancer Institute's advice on coping with oral complications of chemotherapy. My neighbour had painful oral ulcers and found Gelclair helpful. Prof Upton, who keeps a diary on his treatment, has recently completed a course of chemotherapy. He advises taking the antinausea pills!

I am sure the others who have had chemo will provide good advice.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

Rosemary - thanks for the thoughts. Magic mushrooms I've heard of, but magic muffins ??????

Dr. J - thanks for the pointers. Strangely I'd not started worrying about the oral side effects as I've no teeth, no taste, and get my nutrition via the PEG. Does all that add up to a plus point?

Hello Pikeman

40% of chemotherapy patients suffer mucositis (oral ulceration), but many more don't. Hoping it is you .

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

My husband is just about to start his 4th cycle of chemo and for the last 2-3 weeks has had quite a sore mouth with it. Other than that though, so far, touch wood, he's been OK.

This is what he has been doing so far:

Keep taking the antisickness drugs
Drink plenty of water and green tea
Avoid spicy food - it makes him gag
Eat lots of fruit and veg (he has a smoothie for lunch every day with 5 portions of fruit) then usually rice with veg for tea or home made soup.
Blueberries.....

http://www.thisislondon.com/lifeandstyle/health/articles/12767628?source=Daily%20Mail
"""Blueberries have been identified as a 'superfood' and are said to have more antioxidants - chemical compounds which help ward off illnesses such as heart disease and cancer - than any other fruit and vegetable.

One serving of blueberries, a large handful, provides as many antioxidants as five servings of carrots, apples, broccoli or squash. """

(might not be true but they won't do any harm!)

His oncologist has said that the fruit/veg might be helping him as all the antioxidants mean the side effects are expelled before they have a chance to manifest (but not so quickly that the chemo doesn't do it's job - we did check!)

Hi Pikeman

YOu are a very brave man thers no way they are ever getting me again any of them. I have made it quite clear to the docs I have had enough. I sound an ungrateful so and so but since I went in a strong healthy fit woman and came out a sick one I have decided for me at least NO MORE Ill take what comnes and hope. Realise that 99% do not agree with me but it is probably because I was so fit and well. but like the guy who said the gory details made him nervous the gory details make me determined never ever again to undergo oral cancer treatment. YOur all very brave people and seem to face up to life as it is rather than how you would like it. Im the one exception who says if I cannot be fit and well I dont want it. but of course Im in my sixties its easy to say that.

Hi Pikeman, you sound really positive and thats what I'me told is the best.
Have a bit of fun. When people sympathise with you tell them it would help if they shaved their heads if you lost your hair. Then watch and enjoy while most will try and wriggle out of it. It does no harm being a bit evil sometime. And think of what you would save if you didn't buy a comb or shampoo again.
Go and enjoy yourself before it starts. You don't want to sit on your cloud up there thinking 'I wish I'de'. Go and do it!
Stay positive and good luck. (Ever thought of doing America on a Harley? You and your wife could have real fun)
Love Biker x

Dear Pikeman, Well at least you know how tingsare now, and have the positive knowledge that they are going to do something about it. Most of the people I know who've had chemotherapy are pretty positive about it. One teacher friend went back teaching in the afternoon aftr her session. But she flopped straight into bed when she got home. Personally I don't believe in martyrdom when it's not necessary.
I like Biker's Harley idea though. A friend's son took me on the pillion of his for a short ride last summer but forgot to warn me about the heat factor. And bear a proud Harley Davidson scar on my left ankle.
Seriously though. Just go with how you feel. The best of luck and I'll be thinking about you.
Ishbel.
(And remember to down these bluberries although don't know if you can get them here.)

Thanks people for all the suggestions,

I'll surely try the blueberrys (liquidised of course). Who know I might even like them.

And yes I really like Biker's suggestion. Problem is last time I was on a machine was about 9 years ago and I found then that my reflexes weren't as good as they need to be in today's traffic. And that was only on a 250. Machine before that - way back in history - was a Laverda. Ah happy days. But to do the Easy Rider thing, now there's a dream.

Hi again pikeman. No copping out! There's some great trikes about now. Get yourself over to Rawtenstall tomorrow. Its the bike show and the whole town is shut down to all but bikes and trikes so you have a short walk in. Go and see whats on offer. NABD can help even severe disabled on the road so you have no excuse. Anyway the wife might think you look sexy in leather! Take care and have fun
Biker

Oh Pikeman, I am so so sorry to hear this news, I thought that you were clear on that...I must have misunderstood. I won't say much for I am totallt shocked as I am sure you were as well. Please know if there is anything a """LONG DISTANT"""
friend can do you just let me know. Meantime I will be thinking and praying fot you, Always Vicki

Hi pikeman sending you another poem, written when things were really rough she an old school friend.
SHE AND ME
AS I WATCH MY AGEING BODY
WITH ANGUISHED STOICISM
A SUDDEN REALIZATION OF AGE!

THAT WE HAD MET SOME FIFTY YEARS AGO
WHICH GODS HAD WE BOTH DULY VEXED?
WHICH KARMA WAS TO BLAME?

SHE THE GIFTED ARTIST
NO LONGER HOLDS A BRUSH
SUBMERGED AND TRANSFORMED BY M.S

ME THE CONVERSATIONALIST,
THE FOODY, THE BON VIVER
THE THROAT NOW TANGLED BY A TUMOUR

MEMOIRS OF OUR WILD CHILDHOOD,
NOW FATE ASSUMES HER ROLE,
BROKEN BY THE LOVE OF LIFE & HER INJUSTICES.

Great poem, Garance. Looks like we will need to open a poets corner!

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee: