This is the first week post treatment and I'm sicker now than I was during treatment. I'm sick to my stomach and throwing up ; needed 2L fluid infusion today; mouth is full of thick saliva that gags me; neck looks like raw meat......

God is there any end to this misery?

Sorry for the bitching but I'm worn out and honestly just feel like crying. I need to hear something good from somebody.

Hi John:
I didn't have your type cancer, but I'm sure you'll be getting plenty of replies from others soon. I just wanted to say hi, and let you know how "not alone" you are. I was the same way you are when I finished my treatments - thought things would improve every day, but seemed like I'd take one step forward and two backwards. Everyone is different in their healing, but the most important thing is that your cancer is gone and now you're on the side that will improve, maybe slowly and maybe faster at times. It's been 4 years for me and I still have some bad days. I just thank the good Lord that my cancer is gone and all my PET/CT scans have been clear each time I've had one. I hope you get relief soon, even if it's just something minor. If you read the posts from others, some just breeze through their treatments, and others, like you and I, take our sweet time getting relief.
julieann

There is an end to it it's just around the corner... I swear! Another week or so and you will slowly begin to feel better! Hang in there. Grab a waterpik it helps with the secretions, slather cream on your neck. Rinse rinse rinse, ands in meds... Firce yourself to take fluids and nutrition... it's primary to recovery! Hugs I swear it will get better soon. I remember I had a bit of post nasal drip and everytime it would hit my throat if felt like battery acid. I also remembr the first time a few weeks out when it dripped and felt okay! It was like a revelation. You'll be there soon hopefully - everyone heals at their own rate! But the first two weeks post treatment are the worst! Take care...and hugs!

Jack

Yeah, it's always the biggest surprise: TX is done yet you feel worse than you ever did during it.
Rant, rave, bitch & moan, it'll do you good.
But it does get better and yes, despite all that you feel, there is an end to the misery.
I like your subject line: my version used to be a variant:
[quote]I'm sick & tired of being sick & tired:[/quote]
Unfortunately this is one of those things that only tincture of time can remedy.
Keep the Faith
Charm

Jack, sorry to hear you are having a rough time. This is the worst of it right here. We all have been right where you are, I think I was in the hospital a couple days post rads. You have about another week or 2 that things will be rough then you will begin to see small improvements. The first couple weeks right after finishing rads is the hardest, the radiation keeps working.

Keep pushing the hydration (minimum 48oz water) and calories of at least 2500 per day. If you can get more in thats even better! Add some high protein powder to help speed your healing. When you get hydrated you should feel a tiny bit better. Try musinex and maybe a suction machine for the mucous.

Almost forgot, congrats on finishing! Be patient, it really does get better. Very soon this whole thing will be just a memory. Rest when you feel the need and dont worry about anything.

Hang in there!

Hi Jack,
What everyone is saying is absolutely what Kevin went through too. Honestly, I thought it would never end, then slowly we climbed out of the hole. We had Silvadene cream that we applied to his neck twice a day. Within a short time, maybe 12 days or so, it was all healed. We wrapped it to keep the cream on it all day and keep it off the pillow/blankets at night.
It will get better we promise. We are here for you cuz' we.ve all done it. Cry...it helps, believe me. It will however make the thick yuck even thicker for a bit!! ;o) The rinses really help and just drinking as much water as you can. Kevin said he used to make himself gag just so he could spit it out. He wanted me to remind you that after this comes the dry mouth. As bad as it is, at least it's moist. Not sure that helps, but at least you'll be prepared.
Keep in touch.
Kathy

Thanks to everyone for the kind words of encouragement.
I'll keep taking it one day at a time and I guess thats about all I can do. I slept little again last night and that makes me feel worse because I sleep upright in a chair.
On a brighter note, this morning, the burns on my neck are beginning to heal a little. So I need to look at that as a minor victory.

Hi Jack:
I forgot, until I read Kathy's reply to you, about the Silver Sulfadiazine Cream for your neck. It's what most hospitals use for burn patients, and I finally was given a prescription when my neck started getting so bad it started peeling off like strips of burned bacon. You may already have it, but if not, ask your radiation oncologist about it. It did wonders for my neck. You gob it on and put a towel over it and clip it on while you're lying down or propped up. Keep it on all the time. After my neck healed, the nurses at the CCI told me how concerned they were at how bad my neck was and afterwards could barely tell I had ever had such a burn. So, try that if you haven't already. Good luck and keep us informed.
julieann

Thanks for the heads up.... They got me going on Silver Sulfadiazine cream yesterday.... Could be thats what got the healing started

I use that stuff too. It work really good! Do not rub it in. Pat it on your sore skin and let it soak in.