I would like to hear from anyone who could tell me what week four of radiation is like. Monday he will embark on week three. He has stage IV tongue cancer with lymph node involvement on both sides of the neck. So far he has done pretty well with treatments. Yesterday he lost his voice after treatment, but this morning it was back. Might I expect the same during week four?
Here's why. My father's 88th birthday is September 5, and we are going to see him August 23-27, a week before his birthday. So I want to mark this birthday. Knowing he will probably be tired and likely feel ill, I am going to keep it simple, just him and his friend Mary, his handyman, his caretaker, my husband and me. Food will not be an issue, as he is likely to be having trouble eating or may, in fact, be on the PEG tube by then. So I will cheer the house with fresh flowers, balloons, little gifts and cards. Can you give me some suggestions also about soothing things that might help throat and skin irritation? Aloe vera? What kind of mouthwash? Things like that I would like to know.
He is a published poet, and has many writing friends in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. He now lives in Tucson, Arizona. Anyhow, I have called these people, some of whom didn't even know he has cancer and whom he hasn't had the chance to talk with for a while. I asked whether they would be willing to call him on the Saturday evening we're going to be out there. Getting a good response. People are so kind and good.
Now that this is being arranged I am afraid that he might not even be able to talk. I can be the one to answer the phone and tell my dad to just listen. Or, if he's really ill, I'll have to call everyone at the last minute and ask them to not call. I surely hope that doesn't happen.
Anyhow, can anyone tell me how it is with the voice during week four? Is he likely to be having no voice on treatment days but it could come back over the weekend when he has no treatment?
I would really appreciate hearing from you if you can tell me anything about what I might expect. I know, everyone is different. I constantly keep that in mind.
Thank you so very much.
Maggie