Tips for Loved One starting Radiation Therapy

I’d researched this and found some evidence that Manuka Honey can be helpful to delay the onset of G2 mucositis. It needs to be high MGO, which is expensive. I did buy some from the New Zealand Honey Co.

I ended up discontinuing it because -
- I got G2/G3 mucositis anyway
- I found Healios rinse to be more helpful
- I thought Healios and Salt & soda rinses should form the base of my rinsing routine, and adding honey on top of those was too much
- I couldn’t stand the taste after a while

My radiation oncologist did say there could be some weak evidence of benefits and was fine with me playing with it.

Oh and have her try the bone broth before you buy a bunch. I bought a case from Costco then realized it tastes a bit different than stock/broth, in a way I didn’t like. My dog thanked me though

@ranchroad
Thanks so much for your response. Good to know about Helios and salt/soda mouth rinse. And good tip on the bone broth.

I had 35 radiation treatments (on a TruBeam machine, so extremely focused and precise beam) over the summer for a recurrence of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer in the soft tissues of my neck. The treatments avoided my trachea and did not implicate my jaw or mouth, so I did not suffer the worst side effects, apart form some minor neck burn toward the end of treatment. But the single thing that saved my throat for 8 weeks was MuGard, which, if your insurance company pays for it, is a godsend. At my treatment center, the Radiation Oncology team gave it to patients for free when their insurance company would pay. My insurance did pay (I paid $50 for two large bottles and four bottles lasted through the 8 weeks of treatment), but if insurance doesn't it is apparently very expensive. Ask your team if they have access to it. Also, I was entirely compliant with everything the team asked me to do, from swallowing exercises (3 times per day, 7 separate exercises) to twice daily swigging of MuGard, to avoiding all citrus foods and the like. The upshot was that I had one day of discomfort in all that time, and it was my own fault for, early on, eating a spinach leaf that scratched my throat. It's sometimes easy to forget that radiations cooks us on the inside. But I never forgot it again. All the best to you and your sister. She (and you) will get through this.

@ruehoudon
Thanks for your response and encouragement. To be honest I'm really frustrated. The information I've gotten from my sister is only that her radiologist said she "might" have a sore throat and may need to only eat soft foods. No mention of the possibility of mucositis or any preventatives. I realize the importance of staying positive and perhaps they will give her more information at her first treatment tomorrow.

Manuka honey ,Amazon has it, supposedly helps. Teaspoon in warm water and sip.

She’s really lucky to have such a caring Sister.

@bttrfly I understand. I can't account for why your sister's radiation oncologist has left her so unprepared as she begins treatment, but what I can suggest is that she or you requests an appointment with her oncologist's physican's assistant (or nurse practitioner, whatever resources the office has) so that you ask questions, cover the bases, primarily about side effects and how best to prevent or mitigate them. Be sure you ask about things like mucositis, potential long-term effects of radiation to the throat (lymphedema, etc.), setting you up with speech pathology for swallowing exercises and monitoring and anything you can think of. I'm convinced that I did so well through treatment because I spent 90 minutes with the PA going over every detail and "worst that can happen" scenario, and because I determined to be 100% compliant with all instructions. But you have to have comprehensive information and instuctions before you can determine how to be compliant. Sending all warmth and good wishes to you and your sister.

Hello, @bttrfly. Please check into a red-light therapy wand. I waved one around before and after the radiation treatments for a throat tumor. It seemed to help. Although my ability to eat, drink and speak disappeared after treatment for approximately one year, those functions did return, thank God.

@ruehoudon
Thanks so much. I think your suggestion to meet with the oncologist PA is an excellent idea. Unfortunately, I don't get the impression that is even an option. I will ask her about the possibility of speaking with a PA, if there is one. I am not able to be with my sister in person but her son is going to every treatment session and appointment with her. I spoke with my sister today, Nov. 25. She has one more treatment this week and 5 next week to complete the RT treatments.
She said her healthcare team has not given her any information on preventatives, diet or other. I had already sent her some honey in a care package and shared information re honey as a preventative. The doctor on call today said he would prescribe an RX for thrush (she reported non painful blisters in her throat). Thanks again.