Hi, Nate,
You have found the best place to deal with all of the problems. OCF has been a Godsend to me. Even though I don't post as often as others, I check it out every day. I am now on thyroid meds and that seems to be helping - just saw my family Dr. today, and it's keeping the problem under control. Don't expect things to improve quickly - but, hey, you're still here, as are the rest of us. Keep your spirits up; you're not alone.

Well hello Nate! Awesome for you to come back and let everybody know how you are doing, again...on my way to work I was thinking bout ya(not a stalker! lol) and was going to contact you to ask if I could let everybody know here that you were doing OK (considering of course) but that you were feeling more able to communicate in a better mindset way than how you felt when they read the last one of your postings. So glad you did! So here's my ol' man, 4 1/2 months after his last radiation treatment and he has no meat on him but he's alive and kicking it and has done so much around the house and kept himself as busy as he could and took/and still takes naps during the day and I don't know how the heck he does it but for him I guess this is how he handles all the crap associated with this, he keeps himself busy which I think keeps his mind off the pain/hunger/soreness all that,(plus his pain meds of course!) and now yesterday he started painting my wood stairs going down the basement and the woodwork and he is ready to tear into redoing my bathroom floor...we only have 1 bathroom so I'm scared cuz if he poops out(no pun intended lol) I can't be without a potty! lol But he is going strong at 55 so Nate, I have faith! You are a young strong man you will be hugging those pups and your lady real soon! Actually "Just Do It" now! lol screw that tuby thing they won't care! Go hug em man! You need it!

I look at your post and you are my hero... you all are actually. I hope I can deal with this as gracefully as you all!

It has its ups and downs, that is promised. You can even locate several of my posts where I went off on everyone due to the mental break down the stupid disease and treatment causes. I am doing a bit better today, Oncology was really pleased with what they saw and are really wanting me to focus on maintaining my weight and getting strength back up. I then went across the hall and saw ENT and they as well were please with how my mouth looked and performed a scope and said hardly any mucositis remains in the mouth and back of the throat and should clear up fairly soon. My first post scan has been scheduled for Feb. 7th and then results on the 9th, wish me luck! As well the ENT doctor said he would rather pull the PEG a few weeks later than a few weeks too early, so me and the tube remain for another 6-8 weeks. Later guys!

Your Friend,
Nate

It is so encouraging to see your updates, Nate - and to see how well you are doing! Keep up the good progress!

Well now it has been officially 3 weeks post treatment, I am swallowing liquids pretty good and throat is feeling better. Pretty much off of pain medications as well but I just had my final battle with the damn PEG tube today. I am so sick and tired of it, I cant get water to go in now and the tube is clear as day with nothing blocking it and water just sits in the syringe. So I said screw it, taped it up and threw my carnations and ensures in the fridge and am going to try my best to consume it that way. I am just so sick of the daily grind with this damn PEG tube, I just dont understand what is going on and now has become motivation to try and chugg down my food. Thanks all, I hope david is right about the 6 week mark lol.

Nathan

Yay Nate! Very good, keep chugging. And a little secret I found out bout the tube to make sure it is clear/cleaned out. mix some meat tenderizer and water and flush the tube. it breaks up anything that may be stuck that you can't see. yes adolphs that's what we used. i bought the salt shaker one and mixed it. i forgot how much water to powder though. anybody know?

Nate,

I couldn't tolerate cold for a few weeks post Tx so don't put all that stuff in the frig just in case. Glad you're out of that dman tunnel.

You are doing well! I am still drinking the fluids as well - I finished my radiation on 12/17 and have drank all the way through but haven't been able to eat as of yet. I saw my Dr. on Monday and I still have a spot on my tongue that hasn't healed - it rests against my tooth and either is rubbing or just hasn't healed. THAT is why I can't eat yet...that is the part that hurts! On the pain meds I couldn't pinpoint the sore spot! I am off the pain patch! YES! Doing about 6-8 hours between the Hydroco so doing well but getting danged tired of Ensure. Did add chocolate milk. Juice burns sometimes...baby food burns - at least the fruit does! I have eaten a few peach slices...but even that is a stretch. :o( Getting tired of sweet liquid stuff. :o(

Michele in IL

Hey Nate! So glad to see you post!! My sister left her Ensures out on the counter and drank about 5 a day to get that darn tube out!! She hated it as much as you! Needless to say after drinking that much for 3 weeks she gained 2 lbs and they took it out(6 weeks post Rads). Something to consider.. Glad you are coming out of the tunnel now!