So far so good. Not a lot of pain yet, no skin problems from the radiatin and still eating a little by mouth...pudding, soup, peaches even a glazed donut today!!! He would probably eat more, but the taste buds are going now so he's losing the desire. He can still taste a little though.
I was expecting this week to start getting bad already.
No problems at all with his chemo either (3 down 4 to go) The only real problem so far was being able to finally get him on something for anxiety.
The Ambien, wasn't the right thing for him. The valium seems to work great. I saw a big change once he got on that. It was hard seeing him so restless before. He's sleeping better now, too, but that may be do to his treatment more than the drugs.
I've got him writing down what time he takes all his meds now, too, and also logging his liquid nutrition.
I decided to order some Carnation VHC,(thanks Davidcpa). We looked all over for it today and couldn't find it locally, so I ordered it on line.
His weight is dropping and I think now that his sense of taste is nearly gone, that he'll start dropping faster.
I have to brag that he sent me a plant at work on Friday, so I know he is feeling pretty good. I think he appreciated me going to chemo with him this past week. It was the first of any of his treatments I've gone to, and as I sat there I kept thinking, how could I have not gone before this?
Guilt setting in again. I think if I never went to a treatment session I would always regret it.
I will probably be going to all his chemos from now on. It's my only chance to talk to the onc doctors and nurses.
I will probaby start a blog at some point but just wanted to update Clint's progress.

I'm so glad he's still feeling OK. I suspect that will change in the next week, but to get 3 weeks in is fantastic.

Once the taste buds are gone, you're right...the eating will almost stop, and he'll start to drop the pounds. VHC is good, but there are a lot of other nutri drinks out there that offer very high calories as well. Many find that the taste and/or texture of one brand is intolerable, and have to use somethng else.

I tried VHC and the consistency really didn't work well for me orally. After my taste returned, I found that the aftertaste it left me with was very unpleasant. I used a product called Resource 2.0 ( available at Walmart).

It's vanilla flavored, so you can mix in some other taste easily, and it has a high calorie count as well.

What I'm saying is find something he likes and can tolerate well, and go with it. He'll live almost exclsively on it for at least a few weeks.

He's going to start being really fatigued, so don't worry too much about him sleeping. He needs to...his body is fighting a huge battle

take care
Wayne

Looks like you are just alittle ahead of us in the treatments. Marvin has just had his 12th treatment this past friday. Things hit him hard on friday. He got really tired and has lost almost all taste. So we are on the tube feedings. First few tries we didnt do so good as i stated in the other tread. But today we took it slower and seem to do better. So far his skin is in good shape to but the dry mouth has set in. Plus he has a small place that isnt healing to fast from where is tube was put in. I had the docs look at it last thursday they didnt seem to concered said to keep cleaning and put neosporn and wrap it back up and it should do better. Marvin is starting to sleep alot which I think is good it helps his body to heal. He was working up until last friday so now he can just relax and concentrat on getting though this. This site has been a world of help with all it info. Good luck on the rest of his treatments. You both will be in my prayers.

Hile-me again. You will never regret a single hour you spend going to treatment sessions with your husband. You will make contact with nurses, make impressions on his Docs, and will make it clear to everyone that you are a full partner in his treatment. Stay strong- Amy in the Oz

Not to sound like a wuss, but my wife went with me to all my chemos and WE wouldn't have it any other way. Not only did she see what goes on but got to meet the people behind it. After my taste buds went south we poured 2 Boost plus and a packet of Carnation Instant Brkfst with some ice cream in the blender and it was good for 1000 cals per glass. Just another way to get the cals down. Hang in there and all will work out.

Hi Bill,

I have arranged to be off for the 4 remaining chemo treatments my husband has left. I didn't know how good it would make me feel to be there for him and also it put my husband at ease. We work in radiology, so know most of the people who work in oncology and that is a great comfort, too.
I was also considering adding ice cream to the liquid nutrition. He's holding his weight pretty
well so far.
Vicki

I go to every treatment and appointment Robin has,and i have to say as far as hospital doctors and treatment Robin always uses the "we" word.I always ask the questions robin is thinking about and i always question every decision they make on his behalf.This makes me feel involved and also saves Robin from walking away and saying "oh blast i meant to ask them this or that" or worse still walking away not knowing why they are doing things to him.We have a formula where i listen and then translate when we get home.He never asked me to go to radiotherapy with him ,it was sort of taken for granted i guess..