Thanks so much for the support. I got pain meds so it is helping ALOT. Plus I am going to get my mouth sprayed every day I have treatment. They confirmed that since I am young they are pretty much bombing my mouth. I cannot tell you guys how much I appreciate your input and support.

That's what we are here for
To help. Glad to hear you are doing better.

Jessica, I am sorry things are starting out so rough on you. Everyone before me has provided such excellent advice that I really can't offer much more other than my own story of how I coped with this difficult treatment. I'm four years post treatment and treatment consisted of 64 doses of radiation and 7 weeks chemo. Everything was a struggle for me, particularly the first four weeks, and I won't give you details, but whatever could go wrong, did. I hated radiation, my fear was irrational as I was usually comfortable under the mask, but in between treatments I fretted about the next one. In other words, I was a mess. But I always kept my thoughts on the end game. No matter how bad I felt, I drank as much as possible, and had a small amount of yogurt just to keep in practice of eating. I couldn't speak after a few weeks so signed up for "Caring Bridge" so I could communicate my thoughts to family and friends. This was very therapeutic and I looked forward to it at the end of every day. I paid particular attention to the other cancer patients and found their strength very motivating. But every day was tough. I remember reaching treatment 54 and the dr. saying to me, "you're almost there, this will be no problem" and I thought, "you have no idea, if I only had one more treatment, it would be to much". And then suddenly, treatments were over, and the healing began. I hated the feeding tube as much as radiation treatments and used that as my motivation to get down as much food as possible, as quickly as possible, so I could get the tube removed. About two months out, the nutritionist gave me a recipe for a high calorie smoothie and it tasted like crap, but I knew I had to get this down to get the tube out. Every day I had a contest to drink this smoothie faster then the day before. Slowly, my body started to rebound which was motivating in itself. About 14 months after the last treatment, I ran a marathon. Take it one day at a time Jessica, little steps over time add up to big gains. You are a tough cookie to begin with, it won't be easy, but your toughness will be a huge asset getting you thru this.

Jessica, just think, you're first. post said you were struggling with the idea of 5 more weeks and now you are almost halfway through that and more than halfway through your treatment!

You're in the home stretch and we are all rooting you toward the finish. You can totally do this!

rduinc,

Never heard of anyone getting 64 rad sessions. Did they ever tell you how many gys you got? Did they do daily double sessions? Great recovery.

David,
Kevin got 60 at 125 each. Total of 7500.
Kathy

David

Of course, what Kathy meant to type was Kevin had 7500 cGy , which used to be called 7500 rads, which is 75 GY. (as we learned in the Olympics)
They just stretched out the treatments with lower dosages instead of the usual 40 TX and 70 t0 75 GY.
Charm

Jessica

As your radiology department or hospital if they have any samples of Caphosol. It's a new treatment for mouth sores. I understand the prescription is costly but my hospital just gave me the samples the drug representatives dropped off. Never hurts to ask. plus don't skimp on the pain pills.
Hang in there. You can do this,
Charm

Thanks Charm!! One of these days I'll get the right lingo, though I'd rather NOT!!!! ;o)
Me

Great hearing from THE CHARM!

So do they spread these out 1 session a day or double up so the lenght of rad time is still about 7 weeks?