feeling a little better today. Throat doesn't hurt so bad and the muscle aches have eased off quite a bit. I am going through pain meds like crazy though. Hopefully this doesn't lead to a need to detox from the narcs. ugh.

18 days out from last rad

Feeling ok. Have a few issues related to constipation from last week and straining that may have resulted in some fissures and infection because of the decadron which is an immuno-suppresent, but otherwise I feel pretty good.

The mucositis is basically gone. Still some, but reduced a good 95%. I'm no longer hacking and spitting every two minutes. Now its more like a few times a day.

Swallowing is approaching some sense of normalcy and I am weaning myself off the decadron. I've been able to get down to a very low dose and and I am stretching out the time I need it a few hours at a time until I get down to once a day and then I will be able to get off of it. Hopefully I will be there by Wednesday. But it has been a lifesaver through these peak weeks with the swelling. I highly recommend it to anyone who has throat swelling issues from the rads.

I have started to get some taste recovery. It's not a lot but I went out to eat at a habachi grill and buffet the other night and I could taste a little of several things on the menu. I could taste shrimp a little, some veggies, some grilled chicken, ice cream, a few other little things I tried. I am probably at 35% of normal at this point. Still a long way to go, but there is forward progress so I am grateful for that. Chicken soup is still my mainstay food item for now since I can taste it the best.

I still get tired easy when I put out too much physical effort though. Tired and my throat starts to tigthen up a little even, so there is a ways to go yet before my body back to normal. I think in another month I will start excersizing to rebuild some strength and endurance, once I know my throat can handle the heavier mouth breathing. I think that may help a lot in fact.

All in all it's been a rough few weeks but I am coming in for a semi-soft landing and am grateful for my recovery so far. My first PET will be at the beginning of December so keep me in your prayers.

Hank - it really sounds like you are making some very good progress! Things will start to get better very soon. My son also had issues with constipation and had to use stool softeners which are available over the counter, but if this is still an issue for you, perhaps your doctor already suggested something? Keep up the good progress. You have done so well so far!

Hank, you are doing excellent with your recovery!!!! I m happy you are doing so well. Keep up the good work. Keep pushing for 2500 calories going heavy on the protein to heal quickly. Dont forget to still keep drinking lots of water too. Try using some benefiber and also taking in some apple juice or cider to help with the constipation. Hope your recovery continues to go at such a quick pace, you will be your old self in no time

Hank it sounds like you're doing so well! That's great! Hope you don't have an infection! But if you do talk to your dr. hugs!

Hank it sounds like you're doing so well! That's great! Hope you don't have an infection! But if you do talk to your dr. hugs!

Over 30 days out from treatment.

The last two weeks have been rough. The decadron really did a number on my immune system so I got a pretty rough secondary infection in my backside region. It's been a bit of a nightmare actually. A huge amount of pain associated sitting, moving, laying down and going to the bathroom..... and a difficult time with Dx. Went through 3 doctors before an RO nurse practitioner finally recognized what was going on and got me the the appropriate medication. I am on the mend now and feeling much better but for anyone else who is being given decadron, pay super close attention to any kind of outbreaks or sniffles or ANYTHING resembling an infection and get back to your MO/RO asap. Do not wait because the immune suppression is serious business with that drug. I have had 4 trips to the ER, each time I was dehydrated. It happens so fast. If you find yourself sick and sleeping a lot, make sure someone knows to bring you fluids and keep you hydrated. Otherwise the next thing you know you wake up and are so weak you can barely function. Dangerous territory.

The good news. Throat swelling is almost non-existent. There is still a touch of discomfort but it's barely noticeable. Also, my taste has recovered remarkably. I can taste most things at around 70%, although nothing has the full flavor it used too. I am hoping that I will continue to recover and my taste will be normal again in time. My strength is returning as well. I had gotten extremely weak due to this last infection, sleeping, short of breath when moving from room to room. But I am doing much better now.

Hopefully my immunities have recovered enough to keep anymore infections at bay, if so than I hope this next week sees me return to mostly normal. Just in time to decorate for Halloween!!

...okay, that explains why I've been concerned/wondering about you. You haven't been posting much...I was getting worried. HX, I am so glad you are okay. Mom instincts kicking in again...

I'm glad you are recovering well from the rads and chemo! Please be careful when you are unsteady on your feet and make sure you have someone with you. Keep doing such a great job putting oral cancer into your backstory.

Oooh! Halloween is so much fun! Enjoy! I help a friend decorate his front yard every year. Have a great time decorating!

Great cautionary information!

Now...get plenty of rest and keep taking such good care of yourself!

With regard to your immune system...please consider letting some one else deal with all the kids and hands on Halloween night. Lots of little bugs crawling on those cute goblins and you don't need any of them.

Glad you are feeling better and on the mend. And wow...70% of your taste back this soon is incredible. Congrats,

Deb

Hank,
I recommend a batch of "Antidote" commomnly known as fruit compote. My recipe keeps for months because it is made with dried fruits. The proportions are 2 bags of prunes, one bag each of peaches, pears, apricots and apples, a few handfuls of currants and raisins - I like to mix regular and golden. Add a lemon cut in eighths, sprinkle all with enough cinnamon to cover about a third, add a few shakes of powdered ginger. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Turn off fire and cool down.
If you don't want to make so much use one or two bags of mixed dried fruit. A tablespoon or two over dry cake such as spice, honey, sponge or pound cake and a cup of hot tea is very comforting after a big meal. For constipation, try some followed by a cup or two of hot water.