I am going to finally start treatment on Monday, December 18, and to be perfectly honest, I am scared spitless...I am anxious to get started but also worried about how I am going to take the chemo and the radiation. It seems like forever since i was diagnosed, but it has only been a month, I have had all my teeth pulled, a stomach tube put in to help me keep my weight up later on, and finally my "new " teeth. I am at times simply overwhelmed by all the information I have been given, and the fact that I have CANCER. I feel afloat on the sea of life and at times there is no land in sight.

Sorry to hear of your troubles, just remember, you are not alone in all this. There are people on this board who have been through what you are getting ready to experience, and can help you along your path to recovery.
Hold Fast,
Andrea

Hello Pat
Welcome to the forum... and sorry you have to be here.
I know this is a very scary time for you but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You have found the best source of information available to you and your family. You will find that most of the problems you will encounter ..someone here has already endured and can help you with.

wishing you the best.
Marica

Pat,

Please tell us about your Dx and what type of Tx they are planning for you. If it's the "typical" RT you probably have another 2 weeks before it will really affect you so plan the next 2 weeks accordingly and get as much accomplished as possible but don't overexert yourself.

Pat
So Glad you are here. You start your Chemo and Radiation today. We all are there right along with you, take alook around the waiting room you will meet some great people. With it being caught early, you will have along life with the grandkids. I know your scared that is natural feeling that comes and goes alot, during this adventure. Pat is from my Hometown, she has a great support group there, I gave her this web site, told her how it help me, you will find a great support group here as well. Ill call you friday. Chris

Pat..As I write, you are probably on your way to your first treatment. I have no advice to give, but I want to add my voice to those who are sympathizing with your anxiety and who are sending prayers and support your way. I am so honored to "know" all of these brave people who have been through what you are beginning and have come out the other side to go on with their lives. You will too. You don't have to do it alone!

Pat,

I wish to join in on the Welcome. I hope today went OK for you. I know it is a lot to go through. Try and just do one day at a time. Sometimes it works out better that way.

I was going through treatment this time last year. So my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Take care,
Diane

Pat, take a deep breath and hang on, you are in for a ride, that is for sure, but a ride that will be bumpy along the way, and a ride that will be smooth sailing at times. The important thing to remember is...take one day at a time! Do only what you feel like doing(forget what you should be doing) this time, has to be about YOU!!! Any concerns or questions, no matter how dumb they might sound to you, feel free to ask, there is always someone here to help you, always. You will meet some of the nicest people on here, learn to lean on them when you need to, that is why we all stay around even after it is all over, because we remember the ones that helped us get through this, and we want to try and give back what we were so fortunate to receive, a gift in return Good Luck and your in our prayers...remember we are here!

Pat,

Sorry I missed your initial post. I know how nerve racking this is for you and your family. (I am a cancer surrivor and a care giver of a cancer survivor...guss you could sing, "I've looked at life from both sdies now...")We were very lucky to have a team of doctors who understood the stress angle when DH was diagnosed (as opposed to the doctor who treated my own cancer who was rather cold and got angry at me a couple of times when I wouldn't let him treat me like a child). DH's doctor gave both DH and I prescriptions for anti-anxiety meds. It really helped a LOT. Most days we didn't need them...but when we were waiting for a test result, or when I felt totally stressed out, overwhlelmed, and at the end of my rope, they sure came in handy! You might discuss this aspect of your treatment with the doctor and see if he can help you out with something to take the edge off your nerves...after all, stress and anxiety can be very detrimental to healing.

I hope this helps. You, and all our patients who are traveling this road, are in my prayers at night....as well as the care givers who are truly special people.

Well I made it through the first week of treetment. I am having IMRT tx and I am greatful for that, I will save the parotid glands on the one side of my mouth, I currently have only been sick from the Chemo. I am fighting to get over this I can't afford to loose any wiehgt. I have no loss of slaiva yet, in fact it seems like the dam has burst the past few nights and all I do is cough up crap, I am not complaining ( much) I have been through every emotion I can think of and I know I am just getting started, I am really first and foremost relieved that things are started, and that in 6 short weeks all of this will be in the past. I know I am going to use this forum a lot, it is just so nice to be able to relate to people who are and were where I am and will be. Thank you to all of you.

Have a great Holiday season. My fears have somewhat subsided and now I must reach out of myself and live like there is now tomorrow.

Pat

Hi Pat, how are you doing? my husband also began his treatment on Dec. 18. He will be getting his PEG tube tomorrow (Dec. 26) So far he is doing ok. A little nauseous from chemo and tired. Please keep us posted.
Amy

Pat,

I was fine from the rad for the first 2 weeks. The fun usually starts the 3rd week. You will probably start to notice a sore throat, then your taste will begin to go away in stages. The dry mouth thing takes a while to develope fully.

Hang in there, you will get worse but you will recover. Most of us have been through exactly what you are about to experience so tell us what week you're in and ask us any question. You will be surprised how helpful this site will be to you.

Keep drinking your daily doses of water and keep consuming your calories no matter how tough it gets. That's probably the most important thing you can do for yourselfthroughout you Tx and recovery.