It's Friday of what's been a busy week. 5 radiations, 2 trips to the pharmacy, hearing test, follow-up with dental, meeting with radiation oncologist, trip to the lab, meeting with medical oncologist, three trips for hydration therapy ... this care giver is wiped out and ready for the weekend.

On the good news front, only 6 rads left to go, 1 chemo to go. Mike's pain level has increased substaintially. He went from a level 8 only when swallowing to a sustained 8. We are picking up the phentenal patch in just a bit. Fingers crossed it provides the needed relief.

Watching him cough this morning brought tears to my eyes. Excruciating for him and emotionally for me.

Every person on his care team comments how remarkable he's doing for where he's at on the tx plan. In the back of my head, I hope that means great things - and I'm concerned that maybe his body is so strong it is resistant to the treatment. Ugh.

We are both ready to be off of this roller coaster.

Thanks for the space to get it out.

Julie

TGIF Julie, and 6 more treatments to go! I've used the Fentynal patches, and found they helped with the pain. I doubt he is resistant to treatment due to his body being strong, treatments are like kryptonite, but it's probably more like his body recovers well, which is good.

Thanks Paul! He's had the patch on just over 24 hours and the pain is not subsided much. Maybe from an 8 to a 7. If there isn't relief by Monday we will ask for a higher dose. He's at the beginning dose of 25 mic's.

Thank you for your thoughts on the tx being like kryptonite. It helps to have perspective from those that have been on this ride.

Merry Christmas to you! ☺

Julie

Julie, it may take longer for it to be absorbed into his system since they work for 72 hours. They have quick release Fentanyl sublingual and lozenges for breakthrough pain, but not sure how it is since Ive never used them. I used the 12.5, 25 dosage patch, and may have gone to 50, and oxycodone, when needed.

Be careful when discarding, especially if you have pets or children, and they can stick to anything, even your body, so I folded them in half, and also not forgetting to take it off when replacing, which happened to me. I put the date on it with a marker, so I didn't get the date mixed up to replace plus it helped me to see it better.

I wish you both a Merry Christmas and Happy and Healthy New Year!