On Wednesday I finished my regimen of 39 IMRT and 8 Cisplatin sessions!! Just thought I would update folks on how it went.

Overall, I am extremely lucky. Side effect were really very minimal, compared to what many here have experienced. I did not have a PEG tube, I worked the entire time, and drove myself to every treatment.

Over the past few weeks, my eating options were a little more limited -- lots of soup, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs. Over the past two weeks, had a brief bout of thrush, a small ulcer inside my right cheek and increased dry mouth. The thrush and ulcer went away fairly quickly. Only needed to use the Magic Mouthwash for a few days near the end of treatment, and never used any other pain medication.

This week I have a more pronounced sore throat -- probably from trying to eat more different things. I also get fatigued, but not as badly as I thought. My weight seems to be stabilizing - -I lost a total of 30 pounds (started at 236), which actually puts me pretty close to my ideal weight.

Using regular moisturizing cream on my neck and face now that radiation is over, which is helping somewhat. Overall, I am very lucky, and now begin the waiting game to see what the treatment results are. That will probably be tougher for me than the treatment itself.

Just wanted to update everyone, and say thanks for all of the support. Not every treatment is a horror story, and if you manage your expectations, it is even possible to get through it with a sense of humor. ;-)

Best wishes to all!

what great news jeff well done and the best of luck

Congratulations on finishing!!! I finished June 6, and like yourself, I fared well. I did get the PEG tub (Docs insisted because I am a small girl) but didn't need it. I was able to eat throughout treatments and didn't need the pain meds. Never got the mouth sores. I lost 4 lbs. I also ended up with thrush at the end of treatment. I went rock climbing the day before my final radiation! I am wondering--why do you think you fared so well--what is your 'secret'?

I am so glad for you all. I am shaking my head is disbelief as to how different each person reacts. To go rock climbing and to drive youself to each treatment. Wonderful!!!! WE finished on 6/11 and have finally put 5 good days together. So glad for you both.

How great to hear of these two wonderful experiences with treatment! It is so encouraging to know such great positive experiences are very possible. I'm wondering if perhaps because of the very nature and purpose of this forum, we are more apt to hear of the more difficult experiences with treatment. . . .after all, that's why we come here for help in the first place. And maybe the reason why we don't hear more of the happier experiences like Jeff's and girlcat's is that they are all too busy rock climbing, driving around and doing fun stuff!

Jeff, Congrats od finishing treatment, hope results are good for you. I start my war tommorrow. Good luck and God speed Bob

Jeff,

Congratulations. Sounds like you really did well going through treatment. How in the world you were able to do what you did is beyond me? Really nice to hear you did so well. Now you start the mending.

Take care,
Diane

Although, I am not quite finished yet (3 rads to go), my side effects were also much less than expected and what people prepared me for.

Obviously, people react differently to radiation and people are of different age and different over all health condition when they are treated; in addition I also expect the following to play a role.
Volume and location that is irradiated, especially with respect to salivary gland and other sensitive structures. For instance you would expect better results if you spared some of the glands. Location and size of tumor or residual tumor since this tissue is being destroyed. Managment of complications/infections.
Finally, there may be a bit of a reluctance reporting a relatively smooth treatment..... as Anne-Marie puts it we are more likely to hear about the more difficult experiences.

M

I'm so happy that there are success stories of people managing the treatments well. :-)

My husband struggles with fevers and chills and that seems to aggravate all of his other symptoms. After many blood tests, they have determined the fevers are from the chemo and that it is also his body's way of releasing the toxins. (There was a medical name for that, but i don't remember the terminology).

He's on so much pain medicine for mucositus that goes from his mouth down to his espophagus, all he wants to do is sleep.

I'm wondering to those of you who have handled the treatments well, what are your thoughts on exercise...or movement?

I know every body is different, but I'm wondering if I got my husband out and walking...even around the block if that would help his emotional state and energy level.

Every time I ask him if he can go for a walk he says he can't.

But, for those of you who endured this treatment path well, do you attribute any of your successes to getting a little movement and normalcy into your days.

Girlcat, I'm totally impressed with the rock climbing. There's no way I could get my husband to do that...it makes me happy to know that not everyone gets taken down so hard.

Jeff and Markus, I'm also so happy to read how well each of you fared.

My husband didn't think he'd get hit with the side effects and when he did, he was not emotionally prepared to feel so awful.

His treatment team doesn't think I should push him to do anything more than come to the hospital...but, I keep thinking a little fresh air and some movement could help. Am I totally off base? Any thoughts?

Margaret, this is to try to keep you out of trouble Probably the thing that irritated my husband the MOST was his son coming in and insisting that John "get up and do something". Mind you, John had a "work from dawn to dusk" personality. The surgeries, rad and chemo really laid him low. During his battle with cancer he kept a journal, and on page after page, there would be the entry- "I'm gonna do this tomorrow" and then the next day "Couldn't manage that yesterday, but I'll do it tomorrow" And his intentions were there. I think you should trust your husband to know when he can handle exercise or being out - unless he is depressed-
Markus and Jeff- great going!! Amy in the Ozarks