Kevin had radiation 2x day for 6 weeks. He went at 8 and 3 each day. The first 3 weeks he did fine. Just as he was beginning to feel a little yucky he had a weeks break, which was planned from the beginning. The last 3 weeks didn't get hard until around the middle of week 5. After that it was VERY tough. He had a PEG but hated it so he pushed through several bottles of Ensure every day as well as water. He ate scrambled eggs every morning until he thought he was going to puke. (He has a hard time with eggs now!) He would take pain meds (Lortab) then quickly drink or eat.
The one thing that we had trouble with were the burns on the outside of his neck. We hadn't really been told how bad they would get. It was pretty awful the last couple days of tx and for about 10 days after. We followed instructions with dressing and bandaging and it healed nicely.
At the end it feels as though you can't do it anymore, but slowly it gets better. When you are a month out you can look back and see how far you have come. It's amazing how the body heals.
Kevin lost 54 pounds even with all the Ensure he drank and the eggs he ate. He lost about 15 of those after tx was over. Actually, probably more like 20. I was getting worried because, even though he was now eating food, he was still dropping weight. Like Christine said, it just sucks the weight off you. Kevin had extra weight that he could lose so he looks good now. So, all that to say the nutrition and water are SO important.
It would be great if you could do a signature so we can see what has happened.
We also had chemo first, then Erbitux along with the radiation.
Keep in touch with us. We are here for you. It is hard on us as caregivers to watch our loved ones suffer, but stay positive. I think that is also one of the most important things. Let them see confidence in your eyes, not fear. You can show your fear to others when he is sleeping!! Or write on here, we understand!
This is just a little of how it went for us. But, like others have said....Everyone reponds different.
Blessings to you both,
Kathy