I have recieved 34 raditaion treatments to my neck. The treatments ended on Oct 10, 2008. I have lost 40 pounds and still counting. I am miserable. My cancer doctor told me a few weeks ago that I will never beable to eat the way I did before the cancer treatments. My diet consists of cream of wheat, boost, instant breakfast and tea. My throat is still very sore
feels like something with little pins is always stuck in it. Does this get any better with time? I really need to talk with someone before I go out of my mind. I do try to stay possitive for my kids...but to be honest it is getting more and more dificult. I am willing to share my phone number...please someone help!

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

Hello Catherine

The side effects of radiotherapy cause mucositis (ulcerations of the mouth/throat lining) which creates discomfort with swallowing. This improves (see: Mucositis Poll Results). Things do get better. You will find advice on coping with mucositis: here.

You will find many tips on feeding during this difficult period at: Recipes and Food Tips

Note: If you do give any member your phone number, do it through the private message facility, do no post it on the message board itself.

Best wishes

Vinod

Hi Catherine,
I finished 35 RT sessions on the 29th July 2008 and I understand where you are. For me the first couple of months after treatment were the worse and it really drags one down.

We will never be 100% as before but today I am eating really well. Some foods are difficult to eat and cause pain while eating but a glass of milk really helps.

Keep going and things will get better.

Regards

Ken

Hi Catherine, welcome. Things will improve but it is early days yet so hang in there. RT is a bitch but there are plenty of people here who have got through it. Good luck and try and stay strong. Hagg.

hi catherine
firstly congratulations on finishing your treatment,mine ended in april last year and i have to say it took a long time for my throat to feel normalish!for me it has been a very slow progress but i can look back now and see just how far i have come.take the pain meds that are offered,keep sipping water you don't want to lose the ability to swallow as i did and had to have speech theraphy.when your throat is very sore keep talking to a minimum people will understand.hopefully the pain will start to wear off in a couple of weeks and you will start feeling better in yourself.all the best love shirl xxx

Thanks Sherl...what kind of Throat cancer did you have? My cancer doctor who did the scope while I was under said it was a tumor on the voice box. Then my doctor who did the radiation treatmeants said it was a tumor on my epiglottis. I am going with the second because of all the pics they took when I had that damn mask on!!!! It has been less that 2 months since my last treatment...I have to go back to work on the first of December and I am a teacher! I am still going to try to keep talking to a minimum! I work with wonderful people who are really trying everything to make the transition as easy as possible! Thanks again for the words of hope...I really needed them! Cathy

hi cathy
going back to work on 1st december is very quick,are you up to it?don't push yourself hun and if it does not work out too well then they will have to give you more time at school to recover.actually cathy my cancer was in the base of my tongue on the left side but i have always called it throat cancer i guess i should call it oral cancer.look after yourself,love shirl xxx

I just wrote a long e mail about throat cancer, but I don't see it here, I don't know where it went.
I need so much to talk to other people who have throat cancer, I just completed 7 weeks of radiation, I had no surgery. Doctors say all looks ok, But I will need a MRI, a cat scan and a ct scan, which I am so worried about what they will fine and what will happen next. Can some please let me know if they are in the part of the treatment and what is happening.
Annette

Hello Annette,

I just sent you a PM about how to start a new thread. I've added my response here:

Hello!

Afraid your question is lost amidst lengthy threads.

Go to the Introduce Yourself forum.

In the upper part of the screen you'll see a toolbar with the word New followed by a yellow folder. Click New.

Click Discussion.

Under Introduce Yourself you'll see a blank field. Enter the subject here, such as: Need to talk to other throat cancer survivors.

In the message portion, enter your message.

Click Post Now when your message is complete.

That's it!

You can also search for information.

At the same toolbar where you find New, click on Find. In the Keyword Search field, type throat cancer. Click Go.

You'll find many many answers to your question.

Good luck to you!

Mimi

You'll find far too many people here who are unfortunate to have/have had throat cancer. Read through what you find in your Search and through the various forums on this board. You've got a lot of homework to do!

I am trying to get in touch with Catherine516 but can't seem to do this right. I need to talk to someone with the same cancer I have, and going through the same treatment, around the same time. and Catherine516 is the closest match I can fine on this site. I need to compare notes and or see what happens next.
please if you are there catherine516, plaease contact me.
Annette

Hi Annette,

Go to the first post in this thread. Catherine516 is the first poster. Click on her name.

A drop down menu appears. Click on the first option: View Catherine516's Public Profile.

On the right side, toward the bottom of her Profile Page, click Send Private Message to Catherine516.

A message form appears - similar to the one you got when sending your message. Say what you have to say and then click Post Now.

Be sure to fill out the first line of the form - the Subject line. If you don't, the message can't be sent. (I learned that the hard way.)

A notification that she has a private message will be sent to her email address.

Hope that helps.

Mimi

Thank you Mimi, I think I did that already, but I will try again. Hope it works this time.
Annette

Maybe you're doing it right and she isn't answering her emails. You never know. It has been quite a while since she posted (November) and at that time her post count was only two.

If you're internet savvy you can probably locate her. She's a teacher named Catherine and lives in Sturbridge MA which has a very small population (2,124 in 2007).

Good luck to you!

Mimi