I have one more lousy treatment to go. The fentanyl patch with Lortab is no longer working for the pain. I can not swallow at all, and my tongue and ear hurts. If it weren't for the fact that I only have one left, I would feel like giving up. I thought I was going to make it with some level of comfort intact. I do not think I can make it with just 50mg of fentanyl anymore. I hate to ask for a higher dosage since I am almost done, but This pain is horrible. Sorry I just needed to whine a bit. I do have a feeding pump now, ut I am still losing weight and it is like 2 pounds a day, and I know I can not get any more food in the body of mine. UGH My blood pressure is lowere than it is ever been, and I am getting light headed from that. My Dr. does not want to take my off the blood presure meds because it was running high in the hospital. Sorry I have not been on much, I ave just been feeling like crap!!!
My PCP said I had it easy compared to toher patients that have been on chemo. I would hate to see what hard is.

Angelia,

I am sorry that you hit another bump in the road, but please ask to have your pain meds increased. My husband had pain issues for a few weeks after completing RX. So while your RX is almost finished, you may need some help with the pain for a while longer. Things will get better eventually but for now get the help you need.

You have come a long way and you know that everyone here is rooting for you. Whine as much as you have to. I do think that maybe you are a little reluctant to ask for more pain relief because your PCP MINIMIZED your experience. UNACCEPTABLE! He/she was, in effect, telling you that have no right to feel as bad as you do. BAD FORM! Cancer treatment is not based on comparing one patient to another. As you already know, while protocols are similar, each patient is an individual and should be treated as one. You know yourself better than anyone. Make some noise and get your issues (pain, BP) addressed. Your health care providers are working FOR you.

Good luck and repost to let us know how you make out with all this.

Anita

Angelia,

Get what you need pain med wise. You still have a few weeks of recovery that are not pleasant at all. I did like that fact that I didn't have to go to treatment any more and just hit the sack for that two weeks following treatment. I tailed off on the meds over the next month and a half and still keep a few around just in case.

You have made it though one of the hardest things any of us have ever had to do in our lives. We who know the true color of this treatment are very proud of you.

Angelia,

I echo Kelley and Anita, get another bump of Fentanyl to 75 as the next few weeks will tend to suck. Oh and tell you PCP to "F" off and shut his "F"'n mouth and just write the prescription.

It's retards like him that make me lose faith in the medical community. Make no mistake that the tx for oral cancer is one of the most difficult and next time he chooses to open his yap to discredit your experience...ask him how he felt when he went through it. When he can't answer you because he's never been where you are, tell him to stick to what he knows and leave the hard stuff to the experts. You may also recommend a sensativity course or a swift kick to the head...either way he should shut the "f" up.

Keep you chin up

Eric

Angelia,

We all preach that the 2 to 3 weeks post Tx can be the worst so don't think you are abnormal. In fact if you finished Tx and immediately started to feel better I would think you were fibbing to us.lol

Now is definately the time to keep on top of everything, pain meds, calories and hydration. You are so close to the end of the tunnel I can smell it.

I just want one night of good sleep. Is that ever going to come? I can not sleep for fear that I am going to choke on all this mucous, and I have actually. Since I can not swallow, I wake up choking and irritating my throat all over again. I was just getting to the point that the swelling was not bothering me as much and then last nigth I got choked twice and threw up. No my throat is swollen again and makes me feel like I can't breath. Just one more treatment. I can do it!

andy has the same problem with choking and throwing up. this too, will pass...at least thats what i keep telling HIM.

last day for u!! heres to hoping that good nites sleep comes really quick.

ask for the bump in the fentynol...dont suffer...dont feel GUILTY for asking for pain relief. andy is on 100 and will probably get another bump today. he has 7 IMRT LEFT!

a wise man once said to rate ur pain on a scale of 1=10. if it gets past 3-4, ask for more pain relief! as soon as andy hits that 4, im telling the RO he needs more.

Angelia,

Have you tried sleeping with your head, shoulders and trunk elevated? My husband still has mucous that builds up and sleeping like this has really helped to keep the mucous from collecting in his throat.

Anita

"Easy"? Did it feel "easy"? What a jerk. Anyway, last tx today? Congratulations on fighting the "Mother of All Battles". Now, let the healing begin, and, sorry, but that's not a whole lot easier for a while. You will likely need to work with a speech therapist on your swallowing once the swelling goes down and, well, you've beenreading all about the other issues you may yet face but, having done what you have already you can face just about anything, right?
"Easy", sheesh.