Great News today. My husband has finished his treatment. After 35 radiation and 2 chemo he has completed his treatment plan. The doctor was so excited about the size of his tumour now and what is was like when he first seen it. Prior to treatment the doctor told us it was the largest tumor he had ever seen. (20 + years experience) and he explained this to the other doctor present at the time and who was removing my husbands trach. He felt it was a great accomplishment and he wanted to tell his colleague about his achievement. Follow up in two weeks with the radiation and chemo doctors.
I would like to thank all of you for sharing with me your experiences. I cant begin to tell you all
what this forum has meant to me. It gave me a positive outlook on my husbands illness and an insight in what to expect as we took this incredible horrible devastating treatment. There were times when I could not get home fast enough from visiting my husband at the hospital to ask questions regarding my husbands symptoms. I hope I have helped some of you in trying to answer your questions. Perhaps my only experience will be that of a caregiver. I felt I can share my emotional side of this disease. Thank you all for your prayers. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me. I find this forum and it members go beyond, almost reaching out and saying its OK....We have been there and we know...
what pain both emotionally and physically you will have to endure...Thank you again....Carol..

Carol, I am SO PLEASED for you both. It's an incredible stuggle, and there is still a ways to go for you both. Just remember, we're still here. If you hurt, or need...call out!
Wayne

Carol-

Congrats to you BOTH, you have both made it thru a huge storm. As Wayne said, there is still a ways to go. The pain, depression, etc actually kicked in AFTER therapy was done. Remember, the rad stays in the body for approx 6 weeks after tx. I am not trying to rain on your parade AT ALL--I just wanted to let you know. The good part is, now he can sleep & you 2 can be together (I'm assuming) and you know there is light at the end. Great job-I hope all stays well!

Jordan, my husband is having a terrible time sleeping. He cant sleep in his bed. He sleeps on a loveseat sitting up. He saids he has to wake up every hour because of the dry mouth and spitting up mucous. The pain is quite severe. He has lots of medication, ointment etc. for pain and dry mouth. He has a feed tube but as stated he had the trach removed today. Thank you for your reply... hope all is well with you.
Carol Ann.

Glad your treatments are over. Ditto to all the above. My husband is still not sleeping in bed cause we have a water bed and he said is to hard for him to get out of cause of his peg tube and laying flat is just not comfortable. He has been in his recliner or on the couch. You are correct in saying this forum is a God send. Please know I am praying for you both.

Carol Ann-

Does your husband take anything for sleep? I wasn't too troubled with mucous at night but I had pain that would keep me awake. I started on Ambien and it has been a huge help. This is so hard to go thru and even harder when we're tired. So, look into that. Ambien lasts about 5-6 hours and Ambien CR lasts 7-8 hours. Hope it works for him as it did for me. That can make for long nights.

Hi Carol

well thats the first major struggle done with and the daily hospital and treatment routine is over.Like Jordan i just want to whisper a little word of caution because the euphoria of finishing often has a sting in its tail so dont get caught unawares.
Congratulations and all the very best to you both.

Carol,

Finishing the rad Txs is definitely a milestone to celebrate but if he's like many of us the next 2 to 3 weeks will be his worst so tell him to stay on top of the water and food and he'll finally walk out of that tunnel in no time.

Not even started treatments yet, but have had loads of pain and sleep problems with tumour pressing on nerve and following biopsy.
When in CA at Easter I discovered AdvilPM which has helped enormously with my sleeping and docs here say it's okay! Probably milder than your hubby needs, but believe me, they've worked for me when been in SERIOUS pain!
Brenda

Hi Carol

That is Great News! I am so happy for you two. I am wishing you continued progress and will keep you in my prayers.

I feel that you are a part of this forum. A caregiver is 1/2 the equation. You have so much valuable knowledge now.

Always check in now and then after this is a non-issue for you. You could be that one voice that will give hope and inspiration to a person just starting or at any point of their journey.

Wishing you the Best. Petey