Hi All!
I completed treatment 5 weeks ago and wanted to give you an update. I decided to post in "Currently in Tx" because when I was a newbie that was the forum I scoured night and day. I now see that as I read I focused much more on the many potential negatives and scared myself more than necessary.
I want to reinforce what others have said many times, treatment effects us all differently. Treatment was, of course, very difficult but I think my preparation for the worst worked against me at times. I tried to take it one step at a time but found that there were times that I was just waiting for the worst to happen next.
I am fortunate that the worst didn't happen. I made it through treatment and started feeling better just days after chemo and radiation stopped. I found great amazement that I felt my body getting better and stronger every day. I am currently walking 3 -4 miles per day (my dogs are so happy about that), doing yoga and meditation (highly recommend both for saving sanity), I haven't used my PEG in over a week and am scheduled to have it and my port out tomorrow (yay- that will help me feel even more like myself again!), weight is stable, speech is good (requires some increased effort but I know that the effort I put forth now with my speech will result in less and less of a struggle over time), and I am drinking half my calories and eating the other half as my tongue continues to strengthen and increase mobility.
I am amazed to report that I truly feel great -I guess I'm amazed because I didn't believe it was possible to feel this good so soon after treatment. I know others are not as fortunate and my intent here is not to pour salt in those wounds. My intent is to give a glimmer of hope to those going through treatment that life can come back even when you feel like it won't! I am returning to work next week - much more quickly than I ever anticipated!
Life is good! Hang in there! One of the David's posted on one of my posts "Courage, courage, courage" - that became my mantra as I found myself giving in to the misery that can be a part of the treatment process.
I wish you all the very best and thank those who encouraged me during my darkest times!