Yesterday was Ken's last radiation. I got up this morning with the happy realization that we didn't have to make the three hour round trip to Cleveland! Although with yesterday's snows, it was more like a five hour round trip. Anyway, he is very tired, coughs up tons of mucus, and generally feels like most at the end of treatment. His peg is working fine, and he is still able to drink fluids, eat jello, and take pills by mouth. Total weight loss-25 pounds, not bad since he is 6'2". Our next checkup is in three weeks. His doctor is very confident that all will be well. In his words, "The treatment always works, it's just getting through it that is hard."
I'll keep you posted...

Sherry,
Great news. I remember the feeling of the last day of treatment also, so good not to have to see Dan take those treatments anymore and we only had about an hour round trip. May God continue to bless you with strength for you and healing for Ken!
Take care,
Debbie

Sherry,

What a great day when those treatments are finally over. Positive thoughts out to Ken and yourself as the healing begins. Don't forget that nutrition, nutrition, nutrition.

Peace
Jack
..........
Dx 1/15/97 SCC rt. tonsil met to rt lymph node Stg IV,
Srgry 1/23/97 tonsillectomy & mod radical neck dissection,
Radiation 35 trtmnts both sides

Happy Holidays! Thats wonderful! Erik

Sherry,

Congratulations to you and Ken for reaching this important milestone. This is some of the hardest times but it will get better. I remember this part or at least bits of it. My wife probably remembers it much better. She keeps talking about me trying to get out of the car going down the highway or something silly like that. I learned dexamethasone and I don't get along too well. We drove an hour in horrible rush hour traffic to get there and about 30 minutes home. I clearly remember the feeling of walking out after the last treatment.

Be aware now that the fervid pace of treatments, blood tests, doctor visits, etc., come to a screeching halt, Ken will be feeling like he was run over by a train. For me and many of us, the calm after the storm forces you to realize the enormity of having cancer and it is pretty rough on the mind. You have more time to do nothing but sit or lay around and think about it.

I hope you have best Holidays you possibly can!

Ed

Great news on the last day and it was one of the most exciting days in my life. Please note that the two weeks after the radiation were the hardest two weeks of my whole process. But after that things progressed better each week. So hang in there and you will see improvement. I still lost weight the last two weeks because it was so painful to eat so bere through it.

I too remember my elation at the last day of treatment and I only had to drive 5 minutes to treatments. No more mask. I hated that horrible thing. Yes, I was tired, nothing tasted good, but I was done and and I was cancer free. As John said, the first week or so after radiation is still rough, but you do start to heal. For me, the dr appointments, tests, etc. continued. All I wanted was a week when I didn't have to see a dr or dentist or radiologist.

Try to get some rest and enjoy the holidays.

Take care,
Eileen

Sherry, glad Ken had his last treatment. It will be a little rough the next couple of weeks, but keep in mind that he is starting the healing process. After a few weeks, it all starts to get better. Seems like just yesterday I was walking out of the hospital after the last rad treatment, and yet it was almost 10 months ago. It will pass like that for Ken, also. In 10 months, he will feel like a new man. Bless you both.

Hello Sherry,

Nice to hear the news about the radiation ending!! The rad keeps on working for a week or two so don't be surprised if he doesn't feel as well as you think he should. The rule of thumb is one month of recovery for each week of rad.

The good news is he is on the road to recovery. I hope you and your family can enjoy the holidays as best you can. Get lots of rest and don't over do it. My best to Ken and you from a fellow Wisconsin member!!! Isn't it nice and toasty today!!! 3 degrees this morning!!!!

Danny Boy

Well, actually, we live in NE Ohio, but it is as cold here as in Wisconsin, 5 degrees and several inches of snow on the ground with more falling. I'm so glad we don't have to drive anywhere. One week post-treatment, he doesn't really feel any better, although I've noticed his voice is starting to improve. His doctor told him at least two weeks before he starts to perk up, so he is resigned to sticking it out. The mucus is the big thing now. It bothers him more than anything else.

Hi Sherry,

Congrats to Ken on finishing the radiation treatment! My husband Ron finished his treatments one month ago today, so I know how it is. Ron started feeling a little better the second week, and has progressed. Like Ken, coughing up the mucus really bothers my husband too. I can tell he's getting better because we aren't having to buy so many tissue boxes anymore. For Ron the mornings are the worst, it seems he's in the most pain then (I think because he tends to sleep with his mouth open, and his throat is so raw in the morning). How are you doing?? I hope you both have a wonderful holiday, we have a lot to be thankful for this year!

Shelley

Sherry,
Be prepared for the fact that following the end of radiation treatments, things get a little worse before they get better. As much a pain as it is to go to the daily and twice a day treatments, at least it feels like you are being pro-acitve in your battle to get well. Once I got home and found myself sitting around with nothing to look forward to but the next tube feeding, I got depressed to go along with the not feeling well.

The good news is that things slowly began to improve, gradually got better and better, and before I knew it, I felt like a person again. Now I am approaching two and one half years since treatment ended and I feel so good that I don't visit this site daily like I used to. In fact I am getting married on Dec. 26th!

Best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season!

Danny G.

Hi Sherry, again congrats to Ken on finishing the treatment. I remmember what a relief it was to finish, and the hope that I would feel better soon, but wondering if I really would. Next couple of weeks will be one of the tougher times, but with perseverance and work he will get better. Thing to remember is that even though the actual treatment is done, the radiation is still working on the body, much like something taken out of the microwave will still cook for a while after the oven is turned off. Rule of thumb we use around here is one month for every week of radiation.

As Ken, (and Ron also, Shelley) progress through this stage you'll have all sorts of questions, and please feel free to ask here, we're here to help.
Bob

Sherry,

Congrats to you and Ken. Great to hear another one of us made it through. Happy holidays to you guys.
-rh

Hi Sherry

Congratulations to you both. It is a high mountain on day one so feel proud of yourselves. Yes, the mucous is annoying and I thought I would never stop but one day it did! Then I had a very dry mouth which also annoyed me - I've got used to that now and am happy to live with it.

Best wishes for the festive season from Helen