Am I on the right website with this diagnosis?
Am due to start chemo/radio 10/11/2004 and am very very scared. Can anyone offer any words of wisdom? :help:

Hi don't be scared, just keep telling yourself that the Rad and Chemo will help you get better. It's not the actual treatment, it's trying to eat and drink and keep your strength up.
do a lot of deep breathing; I don't know if you will have the mask on, but if you do try to relax, as they have to get everything lined up and you have to be in a perfect position, take your own music along. Good Luck

Hello srp and welcome�. please, please try not to be too scared, the prospects are excellent for most tumours in this area. (Dr. Joshi knows more about this aspect.) I know it is difficult not to feel scared of the unknown, but if you do what your Medical Team advise, they are the experts. Try to put on as much weight as you can before you start treatment�. indulge in all the chocolate, ice cream, oils, all the fatty foods that essentially are not good for you, believe me all this will help. Another thing, if you don�t understand anything during your treatment ask and keep on asking until you are happy, or have someone with you who will do the asking. I think this is very important as you must understand what is happening to you, then it won�t be so scary. After all, the purpose is to try and cure you, so just keep that in mind and you will sail through, no problem. When having Radiotherapy, try to relax, I just thought nice things, Ishbel said she brought in her favourite c.d. which I think is a great idea. I kept my neck wrapped in a lovely soft scarf between sessions. I�m sure this prevented any chaffing or soreness.

Above all, remain positive, there are times you certainly won�t feel it, positive thinking helps tremendously. Having said that, don�t be afraid to cry this also helps vent your feelings.

I had 20 sessions of Radiotherapy for a cancerous tumor in the larynx/pharynx area. I was lucky I did not require chemo or surgery. It has been almost two years now. I am completely free from any cancer cells and my life is back to normal. I just have to be careful when swallowing. My diet is the same now as it was before. So you see, the treatment works.

Kind Thoughts

Rosemary

Hello srp

Make yourself at home here .

The effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy are very similar for all the mouth (head & neck) cancers. You will find much information on the RDOC webside in the sections 'Treatment', 'Complications' and 'Throat Cancer'.

Pauline's story has quite a bit on radiotherapy to the neck area. You may find Prof Upton's journal about his ongoing experience with radiotherapy and chemotherapy useful.

Do feel free to ask anything and we will help where we can.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

Thank for all your replies I am feeling more encouraged and able to cope with the treatment, still scared about the chemo ho any advice??

Hello srp

A number of us chipped in with suggestions about coping with chemotherapy recently for for Pikeman. You might find some of them useful.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee:

I found this was a great help, during Rad therapy, I drank a huge amount of fresh juice vegatable, before going, I went by car, came back by car, drank more juice on arrival a home and when straight to bed and slept, I tried to use the least amount of energy and put as many vitamins in as I knew that as the Rad Therapy got near the end swallowing would be even harder. AS pain was an issue, I drank in one long go rather than take sips. I put on loads of cream after each session, not before as it will inhibit zapping on the right spot. Atificial saliva, spray under tongue on on the tongue.

That is so strange that you could drink vegatable juice. I couldn't at all. See the difference in people. I still to this day cannot eat anything with tomatoes in it. And I love tomatoes. That sets my tongue on fire. I cannot drink soda's either. Just thought I would throw that in,,,LOL,,,,Vicki Lynn