Chloe

Don't worry at all about leaking. There will be a "farting" noise when the tube is pulled out and they will then clean it and cover it with a swab. I found mine was dried up and didn't need any covering within 24 hours of it coming out. If you are active though, I would advise covering it just in case.

No I'm not back at work. I have been diagnosed as being "borderline" underactive thyroid (probably caused by the R/T) for which I am on Thyroxin and I am still suffering from a rotten weakness that just won't go away. After further scans (MRI and CT) the doctor has said that there is nothing on these and that the trauma of the events I have been through may be causing psycholgical problems which manifest themselves physically. I don't feel as if I have been through any kind of trauma, just another one of lifes experiences, but the doctor is referring me to a clinical psychologist.

Not content with having cancer, I now have to face the fact I may be barmy!!!

Hey ho...whatever next??

Ray

hi chloe

that's so impressive! my mate got me a ticket for a gig in december so here's hoping! I'm not expecting to drink but just having a laugh and feeling normal will do! Appointment went "ok" i have a small bump on the floor of my mouth under tongue but the consultant said not to worry about it. (easy for him to say!) i have to have a biopsy on it and see what happens!

gordon

Hi Joan, How did Paul get on at the Barts yesteday?
I would not take all side effects as gospel. Everyone is different as there is cancers.
I think i was unlucky by the people I have met with the same, I go to UCH Cancer group sometimes and see people who look fine and talk fine.
It all depends on the treatment how much radio your given ect.
Positve thinking is the only was through this, I am one to talk I get it wrong many times but I am here and things are calming down.
Dont forget to look after YOU so you can be there for Paul

Hi everyone, we seem to have got quite a conversation going following Chloex night out -great stuff eh? Thought about the "hot" expression as soon as I posted, in retrospect probably not the best comment considering, but hope you know thats not what I meant, should have said you looked gorgeous Chloex.

Paul is going to Barts on Wednesday for mask making. Tomorrow to discuss peg. Apointment with surgeon who did neck dissection next Friday, presumably to just check his work.

Have loads of questions: So far have given him radiance gel so think he is going to start using that now in preparation. He knows he must not use it when he actually has radiotherapy - thats what other postings have said on the site. He is trying to put weight on as lost quite a lot when he had bit of tonsil out so throat already very sore before he had neck dissection. He has to have six and a half weeks of radiotherapy and will have chemo at the same time. Apparently Barts have a hostel where he could stay so will look into that. Think public transport may be out of the question and no parking near hospital. Does anyone know how bad this will be for him. When we first went for consultation, he was told that the radiotherapy would probably be just one side of his neck but the oncologist said that now it would be both. He is going to have IMRT and hopefully they will fit the peg before it all starts. He was also originally told that it would probably be all he could do to get out of bed to have the treatment and then get back into bed after. Realise that everyone is different but would be nice to have some idea, so that perhaps we make this a bit of a planned event rather than just hoping for the best. Any info or tips welcome.

Regards

Joan

Hi Joan!

I ordered Radiance Gel over the internet and used it and Aquaphor throughout treatment. I don't remember reading that RG shouldn't be used while treatment was going on and I certainly had no side effects.

In Dr. Joshi's original post about RG he provides anecdotal information about the success a patient had while using it during treatment.

Radiance Gel

I found Aquaphor easier to use because it slathers on easily whereas RG required a little light rubbing; nonetheless, I used both because I'd heard such good things about both of them. I remember that another selling point for RG is that it can be used inside the mouth - fortunately, I didn't need to.

Best of luck to you and Paul,

Mimi

Joan, just like Paul said everyone is different, especially on how they respond and handle the treatments. The nurse gave me some samples of a sauve to relieve redness and scabbing of burns on my neck.

well after using it as they were hooking me the next day i mentioned that my neck was really burning from yesterdays treatment.... that's when they got all excited and wiped me down clean with alcohol. that sauve was just like grease in a frying pan, only it was my neck that was getting fried. told me i wasn't supposed to have it on when getting my treatments.

regard to Paul and let him know we are pulling for him and of course you, his helper.

later, pete

i used radiance gel and found it very good. I'm the type of person that would normally burn and peel/blister in the sun so was a bit scared of what might happen during RT. However i only had redness, and certainly no cracking or blistering like some people have suffered.

gordon

Hi all,
Am finally down to posting as I guess I am in a better frame of mind? Its still a wonder I some left!!.
As both Pete and Paul mentioned everyone reacts differently to the radiation. I was not advised any kind of gel etc and things were not too bad. Once the skin darkened, however crazy it may sound I would apply plain cold cream with aloe vera and it worked. I have no darkness of the radiation at all - but then over 8 years - I guess the burnbrown(its a word I just made up) would have gone not just in my case but anyone elses too.
regards,
Ananth

I used aqueous cream and it was really good. Slavered mself in it and the radation nurses were vert impressed with how little I burned.

Love CHLOEX

Joan - I hope I made myself clear! You shouldn't have anything on your skin when you go in for the rads appointments, but it's perfectly OK before and after the treatments, just not during.

My doc's nurse gave me some instructions before rads began and one of the things she told me was not to wear makeup on the target and exit areas because most cosmetics contain metals. I thought she meant for the entire seven weeks but D'oh! (as Homer Simpson would say) it finally occured to me that she meant only when I was bolted down to the table.

If I confused you, hope this helps.

Take care,

Mimi

Hi all,

Got the picture. Find the cream that works for you, bare skin, no products before treatment, definately nothing containing metal deoderants, shampoo etc.

Thanks

Joan

I had a McMillian nurse who advised me what to get - I would have thought Paul will have someone to advise him too :-)

Cx