We didn't make it to work of Friday. He was just too exhausted. He said what the heck happened to me these last few day? I told him it was ok, that he was tired. He slept quite a bit on Friday. Today is a better day. He woke up with more energy and that made him feel in a beter mood. We even had some company today and he sat at the table with us and picked on a few bites of watermelon. He is geting extremly upset about the spitting and wonders when the muscos will subside. He says that is one of the worst parts of the Rads. So any time table on that would be helpful. He can go about 15-20 min. without him spitting,which is much better than before. I try to tell him he just has to be patient. His favorite line is "you don't have a clue! So...

Tough times don't last-tough people do! (just finished reading the book it was excellent. Of course it was given to my husband but he wouldn't read it. so I did.) It probably helped me more! Thanks,to all. LJ

Know the feeling...where does that mucous come from. What is it exactly? My husband just started that spitting into a kleenex. Is there anything we can do to help. When is it expected to stop? He has 1 more radiation to go. Uncertain at this time about the chemo??? Any suggestions are appreciated. Carol

LJ and Carol,

I believe the spitting part lasted about 3 weeks or so for me. I used to carry a small styro cup with a tissue in the bottom everywhere I went and kept it on my nightstand.

Yes this was a gross part but looking back, everything was gross, so tell your H's to just go with the flow and this phase will pass in due time.

The side effects that are the worst are the ones that last the longest....weakness, dry mouth, poor
taste and the mental stress.

Went to the MO today and they changed our treatment plan. We were suppose to be thinking about 5FU for one wk. per month for 3 months. Now the MO thinks 3 treatments of Carboplatin with taxel shoud do the trick. So thats what we are going to do. My husband said if he can't tolerate this he will end it aftr one treatment. He is so tired of being tired! Dr. thought he shouldn't have as hard of a time as this treatment is not as harsh as Cisplatin and he will not have the rads. So... we shall try this. He did eat a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and a few bites of watermelon tonight. Grateful for one day at a time. Went to the support group our MO has and I told them all about this wonderful site! thanks to all of you!

WEll, hubby finally went to his office this morning, thank you Lord! I was elated. I know he was so tired but he wanted to go in. He hasn't been in since March 26th, He said his office staff was shocked to see him and shocked how he looked. I told him 3 months makes a hugh diference. we, his family thinks he looks great but for people that haven't seen him it is a bit of a shock. He is sporting the Sgt.Carter look in hair styles! He stayed about 2 hrs. and said he was exhausted. Is there anything he can do or take that would increase his energy level? Still not eating much by mouth maybe 3-4 bites. daily. Maybe I am expecting too much to soon. I am worried that starting his 2nd round of chemo on Monday will just take him 10 steps backwards. Oh well, I am greatful for today.

Great step forward for both of you and i had the same problem with people being shocked at how Rob looked .I saw him every day and although i was aware he looked different i thought he looked good by the time he started to go out again.To people who hadnt seen him for a long time it was a bit of a body blow and they found it difficult to hide their surprise at the weight loss and short hair,and his general air of frailty.As for the energy levels, i think that is just a time thing and after all he is still undergoing treatment so try not to expect too much.
Good luck with the next round of chemo.

LJ,

I know when I was 4 weeks out I was swallowing 3000 calories of VHC which contains a lot of protein and I was also drinking a lot of water and eating a small amount of normal; food. I felt really good compared to the 2 weeks following Tx but I was still tired and weak. His body is going thru a lot of changes and trying to recover from near death and it will take several months if not longer before his strenght and stamina begin to return. Tell him to go with the flow and don't push his body thru it's recovery process.

Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement. I guess I just want the old Tom back. But know it will be different. He is taking 2500 calories in his peg tube and 6-8 glasses of water also. Just wish he would want to eat more by mouth. A few hours ago he said he felt fain and dizzy, it passed in about 20 min. I wanted to take him to the ER but he said no way. He drank some water by mouth and said it passed. I told him maybe he was geting dehydrated and put the air on in the house. It is so hot and muggy here in Western Pa. Everyday it is something diferent.

Its been a rough week-end! Tom's blood pressure was sky hi but of course wouldn't go to the ER. I told him if he passed out on me I am calling an ambulance. Love, patience and prayers, seems what gets me through. Well this morning we went for chemo our first of three on our 2nd round. "I am telling you this, if I get sick, I am only doing one." he tells me. "Fair enough" I said. But he did really good through the treatment. He is resting now and for the first time since Feb. he has picked up a book to look through. Praise the Lord. The nurse asked me how I was doing as I looked tired. No joke! I am mentally spent. So praying he does well with this. In case you haven't read it, here is my new prayer>>> Lord, I pray for Wisdom to understand my husband; Love to forgive him:Patience for his moods. Because, Lord, if I pray for Strength, I'll beat him to death.! AMEN. I read this to my husband and he said pretty funny! I told him what ever works for me.

LJ,

Glad my wife didn't read that pray during my Tx or she may have prayed for the strenght part. That was funny.