Hello All, Keep pumping 9 cans of insure a day into the peg tub. Have gained about 10 lbs. in the last two weeks. Rad to start around Sept 15.
Can't wait to get going on this part of the treatment. They tell me I will have IMRT, 27 treatments of about 185grys each for a total of 5400grys. The swelling has gone down quite a bit on the right side of my jaw. It is also not so numb as it was. Also learning how to swallow liquid without it coming out of my nose. Everyone was right you measure your progress in weeks not days. I still can't sleep more than 1 to 2 hours in a row. I just wake up and go to the bathroom, check the website and go back to bed. Does anyone advise taking sleeping pills to try and sleep through the night? The rad nurse told me I should be able to drive myself to and from the treatments? It is a 40 minute drive one way. This surprised me from reading all the different posts and side effects. Thanks for letting me vent, Dan

Hi Dan,just having 1 to 2 hours sleep will create energy problem. Ever since I was diagnosed with cancer, I had to depend on sleeping pills to put me to sleep not because of the pain but because of the heartbreaking news that I could not accept. I was on sleeping pills for about 10 months. When my body became stronger and I had accepted the reality, I stopped taking it. No problem of addiction to me. You may discuss with your doctors the use of sleeping pills in your case.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Dan,

I drove myself to my treatments the entire 7 weeks. BUT, that was only 15 minutes each way. On trips to my surgeon, 1 hour away, I needed to stop for a rest. If you are able to recognize when you need a rest, before falling asleep at the wheel, you should be fine. Getting around and doing things for yourself is key to recovery, psychological recovery in particular. Just don't push it, especially behind the wheel of a vehicle. Imagine the irony.

Glenn

Daniel,

I see nothing wrong with getting help to sleep right now. Your body needs to rest. Once you start radiation most likely you will be fighting to stay awake.

I am taking a product put out by Tylenol that doesn't have the pain killer Tylenol PM has in it. (which I take when I hurt) It is called Simply Sleep and I have no hang over feeling in the mornings.

Good luck,
Dinah

hi Dan,

glad to hear of your weight gain.

during my rad/chemo i walked 1 block to the hospital... normally was almost asleep in the waiting room... had rad, went home and slept the rest of the morning.

so i am concerned about your driving and think that you should really pay attention to how *you* feel... this is a good time to reach out and let folks help if you need it.

on the otherhand, i know a fellow who worked part time during his rad...

so things vary.... this is a good time for you to really pay attention and be safe.

good luck,
larryb

I worked (slowly) and drove myself (in a truck) to each and every treatment. Yes you can do it and my suggestion is to not check the web in the middle of the night. GO BACK TO BED.