Hi everyone, I have been away for a few weeks.
Just got back from the outer banks NC. It was hard to even go and have a relaxing time worrying about how my mother was doing.
Just wanted to update everyone on my mother.
70yrs old with SCC of right lateral tongue. Had surgery in March (1/2 of tongue removed)and is now receiving her radiation treatments. She is getting 34 IMRT treatments.
She has 8 treatments left.
So far she has lost only 3 lbs since beginning of treatment. She said she has lost most of her taste. Things just don't taste right. Her throat is a little sore. She is just taking advil for discomfort. She said she doesn't feel like her energy level has changed much.
She does not have a peg tube. She meets with the RO weekly and gets her blood work done weekly. The RO is really surprised at how well she is doing. He mentioned to her if she needed to take a break for a few days or week he was going to let her. But she wants to continue and get it over with.
She is just eating pretty much liquid foods. She blends mostly everything up. Shakes and drinks boost. She makes her own shakes and mixes carnation drink with fruit and she adds protien mixes in the shakes. I think that has really helped in her healing. The protien.
Since she can't taste much she doesn't have much of an appetite. So she really has to force herself to eat. Over all she is doing a lot better
than what I expected. Her neck is starting to get a little bit red, like a mild sun burn.
I am not sure of what dose of radiation she is getting. I need to find this out.
I was wondering if the side effects have just not kicked in full blown yet or what. Does anyone know if her symptoms will get worse once she finishes her treatment or will things hopefully get better?
Her birthday is 6 days after her last treatment.
I was hoping to throw a surprise party for her but I decided to wait and see how she is feeling.

Any suggestions on what tests she will need done after treatment? I really want them to do a pet scan but I think you have to wait a few months for the healing to take place.
I would appreciate any information. Thanks
Michelle

Michelle,

I'm glad your mother has been able to get this far with so few bad side effects. It's understandable that she has to force herself to eat, but at least she's been able to minimize the weight loss.

It's still possible that she'll have some further reactions, so I guess if I were you I might wait a bit to try to pull off a surprise party. She might be able to enjoy it more if you can postpone it for awhile until she's feeling better.

Cathy

Just another update on my mother.
She has 4 treatments of IMRT left. The start of this week things have started to really change for her. She is having alot of pain in her jaw and ears and a really bad sore throat.
The dr. gave her Vicodin to take every 4-6 hrs.
She said it is helping the pain but her throat is really sore.
When I talk to her on the phone I can really tell it's getting tough on her. She turns 71 on July 9th.
She wants to keep going and finish her last 4 treatments. She said she is having trouble sleeping. The vicodin makes her sleepy but she can't seem to go to sleep.
I'm getting a little worried about her.
Anybody have any suggestions for the sore throat.
Will her symptoms get worse once she is finished with radiation? I read a few people post saying that their symptoms got worse the few weeks following radiation.
She is just taking in liquids and some soft foods like pudding and shakes.
Her biggest complaint is the sore throat and no taste at all. She said her tongue does not hurt.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Michelle

Michelle, She may start to feel better right away. There is no way to predict what she will experience. Some here did feel worse for a week or more after radiation stopped. It is tough in the last treatmentss but she sounds strong and a little more support for these last days will go a long way.

Hang in there!