Hullo,
It's now two weeks since friend went into hospital for pain control and nutritional help. He's rejected the gastro nasal tube twice and now won't have it again so he's losing a lot of weight. However the hospital is very caring and he's getting as much pain med as poss. Right now he's in the first post rad phase, so pain and mucus a v. big problem I visit regularly and we don't talk about the illness very much..for his sake I'm longing to see some signs of improvement - hopefully fairly soon. It seems a long time ago that I found this site almost too painful to read...now it's a source of realistic help and support. Best wishes to you all

Small Minnow,
I know this is a very difficult time for you and your friend. Remember that the effects of radiation are cumulative and seem to peak about two weeks after the treatments end. It is a long, slow recovery process. Hopefully your friend will start to turn the corner and you will see some signs of improvement. The more hydrated and nourished the hospital can keep him, the faster he'll start to feel better.
Best wishes, Sheldon

small minnow, it took me three weeks before I turned the corner and started feeling better after rad ended, so your friend may have a bit to go yet before he begins to feel better. We all react differently, though, so he might take a little less or more time. As Sheldon mentioned, nourishment is a major contributor to getting better. Encourage your friend to get as much food and water as possible. Has he tried other feeding tubes than nasal? I had one that was inserted through the skin and tissue directly over the stomach and was very easy to use. Maybe a different type of tube would work better for him. Meanwhile, my thoughts are with you both.

And did we forget to mention that after he turns the corner progress is measured in 3 week increments for several months anyway. It is a long, drawn out and tedious process.

He will get better. Like Gary said you can plan on one month recovery for each week of treatment. It's a tough battle that takes it's toll on both of you. You can vent here anytime but try and keep your spirits up. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Best Wishes, Danny Boy

Hi Minnow; The discomfort and discouragement are such a painful part of recovery...I remember feeling so angry that so much "stuff" had been done to me that just seemed to make life worse instead of better. BUT..there is the hope of victory over cancer, there are the small laughs and chuckles that happen from time to time, and there is the faithfulness of friends and family that continues to blow me away to this day.
So you hang in there, doing the most important job a small minnow can do...just being present and listening.
Time passes and a couple of good days start keeping company with each other, and on it goes. Keeping good pain control really really helps during this early recovery time.
Wishing you both a more smooth road ahead,
Fran

Hi Small Minnow.

I know it must be tough to see your friend going through this right now but I want to tell you again how fortunate he is to have you by his side, offering your love and encouragement along the way. I even had the PEG and lost 70 lbs. It is tough; you will see the progress over time. Hang in there.

Ed

I was still fighting to put on weight 8 months after the last treatment, and suddenly my body started ballooning out. Your friend will turn the corner, just try be patient and push through this. It WILL happen. They put a nasal feeding tube in, against my wishes, for brachey therapy and I made them take it out. They fed me through IV for the 4 days. From what I understand, that can be done for up to a couple weeks or possibly longer. Is your friend getting that?

Sabrina

There is light at the end of treatment. It may seem tiny now but it will get brighter!!! It will take some time but he will feel better. We like to call it our new normal. There are several quality of life issues depending on what type of treatment he recieves.
Most of us adapt to this new life. I hope your friend can to. My best to both you and your friend.

Danny Boy

I went through the IV feeding through my mediport for many weeks (months). I remember getting restless and going out to cut the grass and I had the backpack on and when I cranked the lawn mower, the bag literally burst and the goo was all over the driveway. I even got scolded by the boss when she got home.

Ed