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After Treatment
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Nov 29, 2003 - 1:20 am
My uncle was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the tonsil in August. He has finished his radiation treatment and has 2 more chemo treatments left. He is doing worse now I think after the treatment for some reason. I am wondering if anyone has had the same problem after their treatment was over. His mouth is so swollen and sore that he can barely open it. The doctor's thought he might have thrush and now they think it might be some form of herpes in his mouth. They are treating him for both, but the medicines haven't made any improvements. The doctor's can't see in his mouth well enough to really know what's going on. If anyone has had any similar problems or knows that this is normal, I would appreciate your input. I feel so horrible for my uncle b/c he thought when the treatment was over that he would start to feel better and it has only gotten worse. |
Joined: Nov 2003
Hi,
I experienced the very same severe problems. He needs to be taking a high dose of diflucan for the yeast thrust. Also, ask his doctors about taking a cycle of prednisone. One of my doctosr at the University of San Francisco Medical Center, Dr. Sol Silverman, pioneered this treatment. I would take this steroid in 7-day cycles and it worked WONDERS.
The yeast and mouth sores will persist for a month or two after the treatment ends, but will slowly start to improve. What's most important is for your uncle to get some food down in any way he can. I was able to eat oatmeal, milk shakes with protein powder, ice cream. Everyone is different. If he can find one thing he likes, he should eat it as much as possible. Eating anything will help.
Also, I would suggest edibile medical marijuana in tincture form and sweets. This will improve this appetite and ease the emotional stress.
Don't give up. I'm a tonsil cancer survivor who getting stronger by the day.
Tommy
Joined: Nov 2003
Hi,
One more thing about the prednisone. This drug can make you feeled elated and energetic. But when you stop taking it you will experience an equally strong let-down and depression. Therefore, it must be tapered off and taken only in short cycles. However, believe me when I say, this drug is worth taking, despite the side effects.
My thought are with your uncle. Tell him, I said "it sucks," but he can get through it.
Tommy
Joined: Nov 2003
Thank you for the advice. He is on a high dose of Diflucan and Nystatin, but he hasn't had much improvement. I hadn't thought about the prednisone, so I will mention it to him. He doesn't want to have to swallow anything more than is absolutely necessary. He is drinking shakes that are high in calories, but it's hard to get th