Hi all,

I am more than 1/2 way through treatment but am finding that I am quite anxious/nervous about what the 2nd half will bring.
I have 2 weeks of radiation (well, actually 13 sessions) and 1, maybe 2, weeks of chemo (taxol/carbo). The ropey mucous made its appearance last week and I know everything will get tougher. Currently I am taking Roxicet for local pain and Ativan to help unwind my mind/nervous periods. I am very sensitive to meds, so I am fearful of needed to move to something stronger (that will make me loopy-er than I already am). Any thoughts?

Am looking for any support or suggestions to get me through the next few weeks? Also, I am the type of person looking for overnight improvements once treatment stops. I know that is unreasonable given the battle our bodies have been through, but I wonder what is reasonable?

Also, one last question - my PEG was placed a week ago and I'm fairly adjusted to it. My MO and RO tell me to keep swallowing to make sure those muscles don't atrophy. I forgot to ask them if just water sips are ok, or do I need to force down more, larger items to keep the pathway open to actual food items?

Thanks all,

Nancy

Sips are fine the more the merrier. Just swallow !! Try flattening club soda and drinking that - it helps! I got by without meds until the last 2 days of rads - the weekend before - I ended on a Tuesday - was brutal! That's when I dug out the oxy - it made me sleepy. I kept tryin things that would comfort me. In the end I would take an oxy wait 15 minutes - swish with magic mouthwash (has lidocaine) it would numb me. The i'd chug a bottle of ensure rinse my mouth (with club soda or the baking soda mixture or manuka honey) then sleep! I did this for 5 days and then started to feel better so I weened myself off the oxy and by the end of week 2, I only had one the middle of the night to help sleep. A week later I was done with them all... I was very lucky as I have a high pain tolerance and healed quickly. It will get harder don't wait until you need pain meds to fill the prescription. you've gotten this far with so little - hopefully the next three weeks will go smoothly. Hugs!