Well Paul has made it through 29 radiations. In all that time he has yet to complain. He suffers quietly and just takes one day at a time and uses whatever pain medication he needs. It's really hard to watch. He worked up until last week. The mucus in his throat really got unbearable last weekend to the point he was having panic attacks. I gave him some of my Xanex so he could get through radiation the following Monday. He then got an Rx of his own. At that point he was considering giving up but made it through another week. Eating of course is a struggle. He drinks a lot of shakes and Friday we discovered he could tolerate baby food.
I'm not sure what the upcoming week will bring as each day brings a new challenge. He has some huge open sores on his neck that we treat with Domeboro soaks. When that dries though, it scabs over and is very painful. His legs are starting to cramp up. I'm thinking he's getting dehydrated.
Any suggestions on getting us through this last week would be very much appreciated.

Hi Diane, Proshield Plus works really well for my husband. Put it on after using the soak and cover with a non-stick dressing like Telfa. It keeps the skin supple and the broken skin heals quite quickly.

Ask the chemo or radiation center for more hydration infusions, Anxiety meds, up the pain meds if needed, and possibly corticosteroid like decadron, prednisone to reduce inflammation, and promotes better being, increases the appetite, consume additional protein, calories for healing, keep rinsing, and ask about an aspiration machine..suction pump for home use, HBO treatments to assist healing, and wound management, which is sometimes combined with HBO. Good luck with the final week.

It won't only be this week, but the next several weeks. Not to be a downer. It's just hard because we get to the last rad tx and think, yes, we made it, but then you realize you feel even worse and it can be a little frustrating. It will get better...
We used Silvadene Cream on Kevin's neck burns and covered it with the non stick pads. Took several. They gave us this stocking type stuff to put over his head and around his neck to hold the bandages on as tape was right out!
He will need lots of fluids over the next couple weeks.
He's doing such a great job!!
Kathy

For the open sores a prescription cream should be used. Pat the cream on and let it soak in, never rub the delicate damaged skin. Apply several times per day, never before going to any treatments. When I went thru rads, I would pat the cream on in the dressing room or in the car on the way home.

Keep up the nutrition of at least 2500 calories daily with a minimum of 48 oz of water. I know its not easy but this will be much easier if good nutrition and hydration are done every single day. Take small sips of water several times per day to keep the swallowing muscles active.

I know its not easy right now. The next few weeks will be a challenge. Hang in there!

Hi, Diane
Paul is doing really well to have worked so far into therapy.
My husband was exclusively on liquid nutrition at that point. He found that standing up at the sink made it easier to gag down the shakes. It was distressing to watch, so I didn't. The magic mouthwash and viscous lidocaine helped him. If he is not able to get enough fluids in by food, IV fluid or a PEG or NG tube will be needed. Remember that dehydration will make him feel worse - a bag of fluids helps immediately. For the radiation burns, he used peroxide soaks and Silver Sulfadiazine cream.

The upcoming week is going to be pretty sucky, and probably the week or two after therapy, but it's its nearly the end; you will both get through it. I found that meditation/breathing helped me.

Virtual hugs to both of you!
Maria

I always liked the fact that Eric's radiology Tech would tell him how many treatments he's completed each day. It can get to the point that making it to treatment each day is a major accomplishment. Congratulations! Some days I had to cajole, beg, negotiate, threaten Eric to get him to treatment, he was always glad he struggled and made it.
Miaderm is the post rad treatment lotion that helped his skin from burning too badly.
He also had hydration 3x a week to help with the dehydration.
Good luck and hang in there, we're all rooting for you both!

We found the magic combination for the neck sores. Domeboro soaks for 30 minutes with basting it each 10 minutes. After it air dries I put on Aquaphor to the area that is weepy. I use 2% cortisone cream on the red areas that aren't. Started seeing results after the 1st day! Thanks for all the suggestions.