**** from KP5 ****

Hi Teresa,
One thing I want to mention is that you will want to start your own post under the forum of In Treatment. That way you will get lots of answers.
You are coming into the very hard part of tx. It's doubly hard because we always think we are almost there and they will start getting better, but, it takes about 6-8 weeks for that to actually happen. You will both have to be patient and he will probably lose more weight since this is the hardest time. I know this is not what you want to hear, but it's fact. I can remember when people wrote to me and told me this and I was really, excuse my language, pissed. I refused to believe it, but boy were they right and at least I knew so I didn't panic too much.
We didn't have a suction amchine. They sound wonderful. Maybe you should try that. Another thing is to be sure he doesn't lay down for awhile after using the PEG. Scrambled eggs are one of the easiest things to eat. They are good to because they are protein and he's gonna need that to heal.
Move your post to the other forum and you will get tons of responses. Feel free to write me back too.
Hang in there. We KNOW where you are and can tell you it will get better in a few months. My husband went back to work in the Arctic of Alaska January 5 after finishing tx at the end of October. It can be done, but it's hard. He also lost 56 lbs, but he had it to lose.
Blessings,
Kathy
_________________________
Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/2012






Last edited by ChristineB; 01-20-2013 08:12 PM.
HPV16+ left tonsil/SCC to left cervical node Stage 4a
Chemo/radiation Cisplatin/Taxotare evrey three weeks for 4 chemo 7 weeks rad 5 days a week starting at chemo round three. PEG before chemo round 3