Hi, My first posting is to introduce myself.
I'm Steve and reside in Ufford, Woodbridge, Suffolk UK.
I found myself sinking into a rather large hole in the ground when told I had cancer of the tonsil in June of 2003. I've had the op to remove secondary and primary tumours from my neck and left tonsil, the technical term is a unilateral neck dissection and tonsillectomey! Think that's how you spell it! This was followed by intense radiotherapy treatment three times a day for twelve days. I wonder if anyone else out there has had the same course of treatment? In the UK it's known as the Chartwell treatment.
If you have I'd be interested in your progress.
Nice web site this. Look forward to chatting with you.
Steve

Good Morning Steve,
Why is it called the Chartwell treatment? Chartwell conjours up a rather pleasant image in my mind.I was in Woodbridge a couple of weeks ago,it rained and I got lost!
Keep Smiling
John

Hi John,
I know what you mean about the image thing but it was, as you know, far from being pleasant.
Rain in Woodbridge? Does happen, usually when people visit from afar, stops them having ideas about living here, which is great because it leaves all those really nice things about Woodbridge to me! Do let me know if you intend to visit again, I'll show you around. I was a training as a guide to the Sutton Hoo site before my illness, if you get the chance to get there I'd recommend it.
Steve

I was diagnosed with cancer of the tonsil in August 2004. I had this removed and the 2 weeks after I had a neck dissection to remove the secondary cancer in the lymph glands. Went to Spain to recuperate and got an infection. An abscess on my jugular vain. I underwent emergency surgery, spent 24 hours in IT. Eventually got home 6 days later. I had to have Gastro tube fitted into my stomach for feeding later in the treatment. Then we started the old 33 radio and 6 chemo. I had 7000CgY of radiation and 600cl of Cisplatin.
I managed to work and eat up to 4 weeks into the treatment. I had the usual symptoms, thick saliva, then too much. Ulcers, sore throat, bleeding at times. Bleeding gums. etc etc. Best thing I took for all these symptoms was, Guess...Gargle with soluble disprin x2 with salt in warm water. Better than morphine, difflam, aloclair or any other pain relief or treatment. I did this 6-8 times a day, It helped for me. I found morphine made me very dry. and co-codamol made me constipated. So it was back to simple remedies.
I finished the treatment on 13th December 2004. The week after was the very worse time. I had trismus and allsorts. I could not drink even water and was at my lowest at this time. But I bounced back and on Christmas day I had 1 sprout, 1 cm of turkey, and a bloody large glass of red wine.

Now it’s July 2005, 7 months after treatment and I am feeling pretty good. I can eat most foods although carbohydrates are still a problem as the Xerostomia makes swallowing difficult with starchy foods. I can drink alcohol although now only in moderation, which is a shame as I did enjoy a pint or 5, 8 whatever.

I hope you a now feeling Ok, I it a long slog as most people on this site will tell you. But the old adage time is great healer was never so apparent in cases of head and neck cancer patients. Good Luck Steve.
James

Oh Lordy Steve, seems like we are twins, sounds like we have both had the same type of 'ops. how far are you from Pakenham?
Big Bear Healing Hugs