Mucositis, throat cancer, fever

Not to frustrate you but side effects do continue for weeks after treatment.  You don't go to treatment daily and wonder how you did it.  Continue with fatigue and pain.  I finished treatment at the end of February and it wasn't until mid April that I was starting to feel better.  Not back to 'normal' yet but less fatigue and more eating.

jcortney said:

To Add to KT

I could not sleep laying down and, even now almost three months out of treatment, still don't.  Helps a whole lot with the mucous.  I also found Musinex D gave me some relief.

Joe

Sounds pretty much like my journey!  Don't want to depress you but for 2-3 weeks after rads are over, he's not going to feel any better, then the healing starts!  My DX was similar, Stage 1, vocal cord, I also had 28 days, mine were about 1 min. long. Both sides of my vocal cords were radiated.  I got very red, angry looking throat, but never blistered or peeled as I faithfully put on the cream they gave me.  That goes away quickly after rads stop.  I too had the coughing/mucous/choking....not fun!!  The fever I didn't have so his Dr is probably right, that it's a virus or something.  I couldn't speak very well before the rads or during but since my voice has gotten better and can talk on the telephone and order from a drive-thru!  Still can't sing but that's fine, glad to have a voice!  He'll survive, just take it day by day, just get through it!  These boards will give you lots of encouragement and tips.  Someone has been through about everything!  We'll be thinking of you both on this journey!

VC54,

Can’t help with the fever, but everything else sounds like “par for the course”.  I had a sink in the utility room dedicated to gag, spit, dry heave, spit.  I went through a 6 pack of Magic Mouth Wash (loved the stuff).  For me, the items you mentioned peaked soon after treatments ended and slowly got better.

I often thought it must be worse for the caregiver to listen to all the hacking, choking and spitting, but hey then life would be predictable.

Anyway, welcome to the H&N forum, both sorry and glad you could make it.

Matt

vocalcord54 said:

Thanks, Matt.  I like your

Thanks, Matt.  I like your attitude!

make sure he is getting enough fluids, radiation does generate lot of heat in body so it is very important to stay hydrated. If you are in a area where fresh coconut  is available, try that. I found coconut water tasted much better and was very cooling to body. Get the green coconut, not the white thai ones. 

i had unexplained fever for two days but it went away on its own. Sometimes genera fatigue also causes fever. My doc said if icreases and keeps increasing than only they suspect infection. 

hope he feels better soon

sam

vocalcord54 said:

Fever continues

It has now the 10th day since the fever began.  He has been to the ER twice, blood work, blood cultures, urinalysis, chest xray, nothing shows the cause. Treatments were stopped 4/24, but have resumed 4/29 and only 2 more left.  His stomach is now torn up from the naprosyn, started using enteric-coated aspirin, stomach is worse so no more aspirin, ibuprofen or naprosyn, just tylenol. The fever is worse at night, but ranges from normal to over 102 throughout the day. Doing research on my own, found sub-acute thyroiditis as a possibility, doc concurred and ordered the thyroid test, but it is normal. Everyone says this is not normal, but no one has an explanation.  The fever is worse than the throat pain and mucus, although heaving mucus especially in the morning is a close 2nd!  I just wish there was something else I could do for him. 

I suspect once his final treatment is done tomorrow (!!!!) things will start to calm down.  Thanks to all for your support!

 

Hi Vocalchord,

Sorry to hear about the mystery fever. I hope they figure out what's causing it. It's bad enough dealing with the side effects of treatment let alone a fever to boot!

Concerning things calming down after treatment? Most will tell you that the first 2-3 weeks out of treatment are as bad or worse. I'm here to tell you, one week out of treatment, that's true. I finished the 24th of April and I'm not any better...yet. I'm also dealing with an adjustment to tube feeding which I find challenging. I expect that by the weekend I should start to feel some minor progress. 

Now this mucous. I heard a lot about it and it didn't bother me until about 2-3 weeks out. Then? The stuff coming out of me could audition for Ghostbusters IV! I will say that is one area I've actually seen a little improvement. A week out and the mucous is abating slightly. I've taken to sleeping in a recliner or, if in a bed, with lots of pillows. It's not the most comfortable position to sleep but it certainly has helped with the mucous. 

Positive thoughts and prayers

"T"