VOCAL CHORD CANCER

[younginmind]

Well saw the oncologist today - my husband may need a further op for his lymph glands on right side of neck won't know until we see his surgeon next Tuesday - chemo will start 28/09 - 5 days in hospital, I can't go in & see him 'cos of the virus - then 2 weeks off - 2 cycles then radiotherapy for 7 weeks with maybe chemo. It's going to be hard for him they are already talking about him having a stomach thing for food. I never ever thought that such a silly little thing in your throat could do so much to your body. At least he now knows the worst that can happen - I will be with him all the way - but it's going to be so hard for him - there doesn't seem to be many people on this site that have had this problem? Cos I would really like to know their views. Thank you.

[hunsdon]

Thinking of you both in such a horrible time but be strong dig into that pocket of strength, sending lots of hugs to you both ❤️

[Rsw1fe]

No direct experience of this, but my brother-in-law aged 62 was diagnosed with throat cancer before Christmas last year. His treatment was as you describe and pretty brutal, but we saw him at the end of July when he had just had the feeding tube removed and his oncologist had told him they couldn't find any cancer. Time will tell but all well for now.

Good luck!

PS he found that Guinness was good for him!

[Mauser1905]

"external stomach bag feed" Its a blessing in disguise. while throat is undergoing extensive surgery, chemo and radiation; it is indeed good plan to have external feeding provision. A lot of patients who undergo chemo suffer nausea, froth etc quite a lot and offcourse loss of taste, hunger.

The journey will be rollercoaster and not so easy. better prepared is better informed. This forum is full of first-hand information, just ask or better use the search function.

Also if you like to speak to a patient buddy then give a call to the OPA office during the office hours. opa.org.uk

On a preparation thoughts, he may or may not lose the voice during the extensive treatment. Please note this is pure speculation in worst case. Having said that will be handy if you discuss how the communication would be in such period. like hand/finger signals etc. pre-printed small ready written sentences and pain thresholds using finger from 1 to 5 being OK-manageable to Worse-unmanageable etc.

General questions and their answers, this will help him not to try speak or use precious energy in trying to convey his message.

When I was in ICU (just for an example) I had lost voice and the staff had A4 size laminated printouts which had alphabets etc. but it was damn tiring to string a sensible sentence by trying to use hand and finger to point at right thing. gave up eventually.

Key would be to add on as much weight before the treatment, this will be lost over the period (potentially), giving buffer mass. Rapid weight loss is possible and is normally acceptable, this is why team replying on the external feed rather patient's own ability to consume nutrition.

Wishing both of you all the best for the journey together. Ups or Downs, enjoy equally.