Hi Nate's Mom - I am just so glad to see you here! We all care so much about Nate and his family. You have some important and good advice above. It's a good idea to keep records of everything he takes in - meds, liquids, solids as well as what goes out since constipation is a possibility. There are meds for that which my son had to take. I made a chart of all the meds, what they were, and the recommended dosage so I could make sure Paul took them when he was supposed to. He was so sleepy and groggy most of the time and at one point, was taking way too much ibuprofen for pain on top of other meds. I made a copy of the meds chart and stuck it on the refrigerator for him to check off when he took something and told him he had to stick to it. The chart I made also had a section for doctors' phone numbers and contact person at the different offices in case I had to call about anything. Having the PEG installed should help a lot with his nutritional needs. Nate is young and he will make it through the rough days. I know this has to be rough on you, too. Stay in touch and keep us updated on how you both are doing.

Glad there is a link to Nate on the boards...I was really worried about him. :o( I know it was just the really crappy feelings that got him down but wasn't sure if he would read what was written so he knew this was normal!

I did just post to his facebook that fresh, from scratch tapioca pudding is heavenly! I had been craving it, hoping the neighbor would make me some (she has before) so I finally made it myself. The double batch may be gone before I get it refrigerated! If he likes tapioca it would be good later when the mucous is better.

By the way, I am Michele that was "going through" this with him at the same time. I felt terrible that he was having it SO bad and I was doing pretty well but I didn't have the Chemo - just radiation. Been also talking to another lady that had the free flap on her tongue AFTER she finished radiation of her female parts, and now needs radiation and chemo on her mouth. They had put the feeding tube in and now it is infected...so there are lots in much worse shape as well...but when you feel bad...you feel BAD!

Tell him he is welcome back when ever he is up to it...I think we all know it is the "cure" talking...not him.

I am down to 2 more general treatments and then my 5 localized and I will be done. I had an easy week 1 and 2 but week 3 hit my and I felt like Nathan. I didn't know why I did this, didn't think I would make it through, had mouth sores, couldn't hardly eat or drink, etc. The next week got better, especially with the 4 days off for holiday and this week was long (another 5 day treatment week) but I made it, and the next 2 weeks should be easy enough - if I keep my eye on the prize! Give him a big hug from us. :o)

Michele in IL

Just want to mention to Nate that my worst days were during my last week of TX and things improved slowing thereafter:

Mucous was considerable down within a week after TX,
Radiation burn was healing well and
Mouth sores were manageable.

I didn't suffer an addition 2 to 3 weeks of post TX decline.

Getting back to eating was a problems that took a few months, but with a PEG the transition back although often depressing, was very manageable.

Within six months I was just fine and now, two years later, I live a very normal and active life.

I do worry about recurrence, still have a lot of appointments with oncology doctors, but everything is good.

There are a lot of success stories.

Right Don,

Bill also had a very quick recovery once rads and chemo were finished. Please note that he was in the hospital...very sick with a fever and tons of mucous at week 6 but once he finished treatment..he started recovering at a rapid rate and was eating by mouth within two weeks. It was almost miraculous. He does have diminshed saliva now..three years out and diminished taste but not bad enough to keep him from eating anything. He is able to work and outdoes me any day of the week.

So, everyone is different in their recoveries!

I thought I had a nice recovery until the after affects kicked in. I hope Nate does much better and he keeps improving. It seems his caregiver is a big help too. My shadow doesn't do much but follow me to let me know how skinny I am now.LOL But at least I cast a shadow and can see it.

Another big welcome to Nate's Mom. Glad to see you hear learning and getting support for yourself as well as for Nate.

Dodie

Welcome Nate's mom! Yes please stay in contact with this site. And yes, it continues after radiation stops for at least a week or two before the turnaround, but everybody is different and all heal differently. Tell him yes, he will make it thru this, I already told him if my 55 yr old bf made it thru Non Hodgkins Lympmhoa and chemo for 7 months and now this episode with this bout of cancer and 30 days of radiation...he will too! He's a tough Texan! Tell him if he can to keep playing that guitar and listening to his music and whatever else makes him happy and keeps his mind off the crap he's experiencing. And sleep, sleep all he wants and of course keep hydrated like everybody has said and caloric intake at the highest! And you can tell him for me that...my bf has given up I think and I am so proud of Nate to NOT give up and I am rooting for him so much because I have no hope at home and I really don't want to come on here anymore myself but HE was the one that was keeping me coming back to check up on him. Hugs to him from OH IO!