I finished my Radiation  on 19 March and returned home after about 2 days. I got through the Cancer treatment fairly well, no real problems on that part, but I  had a few problems in other areas. These have now mainly been overcome. The Covid virus has put a stop on me going back to the Hospital for check ups due to the distance and being  unable to travel long distance by train. Most of the side effects have passed except for my neck where the surgery was. I am still numb on parts of my cheek and jaw line.  I still get some dry mouth at night but use the tablets I have mentioned in earlier posts, and they work.  I will post some more here soon. Best wishes to all.  archie ... View more

Try “xylimelts” for dry mouth. they lubricate the mouth over a few hours, even at night while you are asleep. you put them on your gum near a molar ant they stay there and just do there thing. you can buy them online or through a chemist/pharmacy.. two flavours, light mint also no taste.. ... View more

Good afternoon one and all. It was recommended that I try an Oral moisturiser called XyliMelts for the dry mouth, and it worked for me.There are 40 discs in a pack.They stick to your gum on the outside of your Molar or adjoining gum. They gradually melt day and/or night and lubricate your mouth. I have left them in overnight with no problems. According to the packet they are made in Seattle WA. I have been able to buy them here in Oz in a Pharmacy. My sore throat has eased off a fair bit in recent days even allowing me toast and soup. Can I also offer another word of advice. please follow any instructions that come with any medication. not doing so can cause problems that you can well do without. I am continuing down the post radiation trail and looking forward to the anticipated goals... Best wishes to al.....Archie ... View more

now one week since radiation and there has been a slight change. My sore mouth has eased off a bit, I think it is because of my use of a sodium bircarbonate mouth wash. The commercial one provided by my cancer care Hospital Unit was a little harsh, but the one the Pharmacy made up for me was a lot smoother. A small mouthful every few hours  made a difference.   How long after finishing the Radiation did you see your Oncologist?  I get to see mine in about 7 weeks time. It will be the same day as I go to see the Surgeons. That should make an interesting day. At this stage it appears that I am being left alone to get over all that has happened since diagnoses on Christmas Eve. This last week has been the quietist and most chillaxing  I have been since Christmas and could handle a few more like it with ease.. The one thing I won’t volunteer for is another MRI. The noises nearly sent me off my rocker.  My Surgeon likes them as he believes he can see more of what is going on.  Well that’s me for another week. Happy days to all.  ..archie... ... View more

Greetings one and all. Radiation finished last Thursday. 30 sessions. My current problem is a sore throat and mouth. Swallowing food and drink hurts so how do I get around that? Is the use of paracetamol enough? Are there any mouth washes that help with this? I try Difflam lozenges that have an anaesthetic in them, but you can only have so many in a day. OK over to you learned people, what should I be using? ... View more

Good morning. weekends off from treatment. Only 4 to go now. At this stage just a bit of a sore throat that Difflam fixes. Difflam plus sore throat lozenges with honey and lemon flavour works well. every 2-3 hours as required. The daily treatment is fairly quick lately which is good. I still get tired easily and find myself nodding off in the afternoon without any trouble. I do miss being allowed to drive hard to accept. I am so used to just getting in the car and going where and when I want. Swallowing is a bit on the hard side at times, so softer foods is the order of the day. Saliva is a bit on the thick side and is noticeable when it takes a bit of effort to get down. The taste of food and drinks is a bit of a shock. i do like my food but finding something that tastes good is so very variable. A cup of tea is not so good lately so I have gone back to coffee with a little extra sugar fits in well. Mashed veges with chicken pieces has been welcome with gravy to help the chicken go down has been quite acceptable. Good old Chiko Rolls cooked in an Air Fryer are ok too. I have lost about 2 kilo in weight, which is acceptable. Lots of very cold plain tap water to help take the sting out of the throat too. My left shoulder is still a bit of a problem. I am told it is the radiation catching the muscle from around my neck that is the cause, but it should return to normal within the next 3-4 months when the radiation ceases. Well that brings me up to date with my travels. It’s 3 am so time to get some sleep. ... View more

I am down to 8 Rad Treatments out of 30. So far rest is main requirement and lots of it mainly in the form of nana naps. I have a. slight sore in the jaw right at the back in the “hinge” and a little saw point in the cheek. My right shoulder gets a slight radiation in the muscle up near the neck and throat and this causes a little pain. Considering what I could have this appears to be very little. I just wonder what the last week and a half has in store for me. Cheers everyone . Archie ... View more

Hi all. I amnow into week 2 of radiation and no real side effects as yet, except when I get back to the Cancer Care Units. Sit down, get about falf way thru a cuppa and it’s off for a 3 hour afternoon nanna nap.. one question I have though, are there an restrictions on the type of hair shampoo that you can use? I know there are restrictions on body wash and soap and tooth paste and those sort of things! Many thanks for the comments and helpful information that has been posted here. My other half and I have been taking high rates of interest in all that has been said. All I need to get now is my Blood Pressure down to reasonable levels.....this is a goal that I think is being passed on to my entire Cancer Care Service . Cheers Archie ... View more

During the mask etc setup, I had an interesting comment made to me by one of the Nurses. In general chat I was informed that my side effects of the therapy would be less than normal as I was only having one side of my jaw treated and not both sides because that was all that was needed.  Has this happened to  another patient?  I thought at the time that it was an unusual comment. Is the comment a factual one, or is it just an attempt to reduce any anxiety I might have?  From day of diagnosis one constant comment I have received is - oh don’t worry about it, you will sail through it.  The more times I hear that - the more I think it is a con job to try and reduce any worries I might have.   The only thing that has had me thinking is age v radiation. Yesterday I found some great references to the age bit, and surprise surprise radiation is really ok for those in the 70 to 90’s age group. just as an aside a program I saw on the tv last night showed a man 98 having a heart valve replaced while he was awake, with comments from very senior Medicos that what happened in the past to those in their 60’s, surgically, is now fairly routine to those in their 90’s ... View more

I have lost some of the posts here. My Radiotherapy starts on 5 Feb with 33 treatments., 5 days per week, last on 20 March. Not much else I can say is there? ... View more