I just wanted to post an update on how my husband, Craig, is doing.

Today he got out of hospital after the 2nd chemo treatment and 15/35 radiations. So far things have been pretty good. He hasn't been sick (other than the same stomach flu everyone else in our family had) and the chemo anti-nausea meds seem to be doing their job. He is still working as a realtor and rushed out of hospital to close a deal on one of the properties he represents (yes, completely insane, but a good sign?).

The radiation has caused his taste buds to make things taste weird but he still has saliva at this point and doesn't have a problem swallowing. He is showing some red burns on the bottom of his cheeks, across the jawline and into his neck. Today he was prescribed some cortisone cream to address that problem and hopefully it won't leave too bad of a permanent scar although he generally golfs most of the Summer and sports a farmers tan anyway!

Marina - great to hear an update on Craig. It still seems surreal to me that our husbands are so similiar in their treatment stage, etc.

How are the little ones? How are you and when is #3 due?

[quote=luvmyhubby]How are the little ones? How are you and when is #3 due? [/quote]

The kids are doing ok, they understand that daddy goes to see the doctor a lot to get his medicine and sometimes has a sleepover.

They've been acting up a bit tonight as it is his first night back with us and they can't seem to get enough of him. Lucky for him he's feeling ok and can handle all their attention

#3 is due at the end of July. I'm doing ok, actually this kind of takes your mind of pregnancy, especially when you're on your third and you can't seem to get it over quick enough.

Marina,

Try some good ole aloe vera gel(usually on the shelf with suntan lotions and such) on those burns. Seemed to work the best for Bill. Its soothing and cool and isn't greasy, so easy on clothing and "soaks" in easily.

We felt like it made an amazing difference in the itchy, burny and irritated skin.

Deb

[quote=debandbill]Marina,

Try some good ole aloe vera gel(usually on the shelf with suntan lotions and such) on those burns. Seemed to work the best for Bill. Its soothing and cool and isn't greasy, so easy on clothing and "soaks" in easily.

We felt like it made an amazing difference in the itchy, burny and irritated skin.

Deb [/quote]

Hi Deb
I did buy some aloe for the reasons you stated (standard treatment for sunburns) and Craig applied it a few times with good results, but he took it to the hospital with him and they told him *not* to use it and prescribed him something else. Not sure what their problem was with it. They also told him not to use a moisturizer with an SPF which I also find odd (surely sun exposure to the radiation area is bad?).

Anyway, makes it kind of difficult to win that argument now

Marina,

Maybe it had to do with them not wanting anything on his skin during his treatments, otherwise, it doesn't make sense. Bill always showered before his rads and we put the stuff on afterwards. Definitely don't want anything interfering with the treatments. Other than that, I would love to know why they nixed the gel as long as it was pure aloe vera and no other stuff.

Deb

Hi Deb,
Craig doesn't know why they told him that but they have given him GlaxoBase for his neck as well as cortosteroid cream (nights). I'm going to ask about it next doctor's appointment.

Marina