3rd week into radiation.

Options
luckyfl
luckyfl Member Posts: 42
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello everyone ,here iam going into my 3rd week of radiation after the small tumor removal in my soft palate.I stared experiencing already some sores that due to the lost of feeling in my left palate after surgery can't feel any pain ,i only have one near my throat that it burn when i drink or eat, in 3 weeks i lost 6 pounds such it is a good schedule even that i need now to start losing all what i gain before the treatment total of 50 pounds or 60, i still can eat and feel hungry even that no taste buds at all.
Well, i think iam handling the treatment sideeffects very well so far, i still have 3 more weeks and iam done .,iam dealing the sores pain with novacaine viscouse gel and it really work.
Good Luck to all, Roxie

Comments

  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #2
    Options
    keep on keeping on
    Time flies when you are having fun, roxie :).

    I would caution you not to let the radiation treatments be your method of losing weight, but that you instead choose a healthy diet that you can manage, what with the sores and perhaps even some swelling eventually, and that you stay hydrated, and that you exercise.

    I would also advise if you have not been so advised, that you use an after-treatment burn prevention lotion of some sort. I used Biafene; others use Aquaphor; still others swear by natural aloe (just make sure it is not oil-based). The point is to check with RadMan, of course, and have something that you can use post-treatment to help alleviate the burning that is almost sure to come.

    Remember, too, that the radiation will continue to 'cook' for some time after the last treatment.

    In any event, congratulations on the way you are handling it so far. I hope it continues that way for you.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • luckyfl
    luckyfl Member Posts: 42
    #3
    Options
    soccerfreaks said:

    keep on keeping on
    Time flies when you are having fun, roxie :).

    I would caution you not to let the radiation treatments be your method of losing weight, but that you instead choose a healthy diet that you can manage, what with the sores and perhaps even some swelling eventually, and that you stay hydrated, and that you exercise.

    I would also advise if you have not been so advised, that you use an after-treatment burn prevention lotion of some sort. I used Biafene; others use Aquaphor; still others swear by natural aloe (just make sure it is not oil-based). The point is to check with RadMan, of course, and have something that you can use post-treatment to help alleviate the burning that is almost sure to come.

    Remember, too, that the radiation will continue to 'cook' for some time after the last treatment.

    In any event, congratulations on the way you are handling it so far. I hope it continues that way for you.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Radiation Advise
    Thanks Joe for your advised, for sure i am not using this method to lossing weight ,but i know by all your posted before i started that i will.Right now iam getting into my 4th week and i start feeling the effects little more than last week, i have lot of mix containers already frezze with nutritionist food like chiken soup ,beef veggy ,peas soup ,all those blender as a shake, the lost os taste is terrible and i never imagine how bad it is at the point that sometimes i feel like vomiting when i see fooods that i used to love it ,,is amazing and i understand now why some people have to go for the Peg ,,thank god not in my case ,,iam losing 2 pounds a week and i was 210 for the first time in my life ,now 200 and hopefuly go down to my normal weight in the healthy way .I have 3 more weeks to go ,,have 1 sore the sides of a nikel superficial and couple more close the area were they removed my little tumor ,their are bodersome ,sting and burn at time but ,not really pain yet so far,.
    I am putting all my effort to eat healthy ,it is hard ,,,not because the pain ,,it is because the taste is gone .Iam not doing exercise yet ,i still working as a doctor assistant and by the time i get home iam tired but iam planning to do it soon.
    Thanks for reading my post to you.
    Roxie
  • pennynl4
    pennynl4 Member Posts: 49
    #4
    Options
    radiation
    I just joined this network. My husband has squamous cell carcinoma cancer on the base of the tongue and had it in his lymph node in his neck. The lymph node was removed on May 20, 2009 just a little over 2 l/2 weeks ago. We are fearful of the treatments---both radiation and chemo. He will have to have chemo once a week and radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks. These treatments will start the last week of June.

    It sounds like you are doing remarkably well and is this normal? Are you limited to your activities? We don't know if my husband will be in bed most of the time from lack of energy. He is usually on the move constantly working in the yard and etc. Will you have to have a feeding tube? My husband was told that he will need one toward the end of treatment.

    Good luck to you. You are well on your way to be done with treatment and I wish you the best. These are the kind of stories I like to hear!
  • luckyfl
    luckyfl Member Posts: 42
    #5
    Options
    pennynl4 said:

    radiation
    I just joined this network. My husband has squamous cell carcinoma cancer on the base of the tongue and had it in his lymph node in his neck. The lymph node was removed on May 20, 2009 just a little over 2 l/2 weeks ago. We are fearful of the treatments---both radiation and chemo. He will have to have chemo once a week and radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks. These treatments will start the last week of June.

    It sounds like you are doing remarkably well and is this normal? Are you limited to your activities? We don't know if my husband will be in bed most of the time from lack of energy. He is usually on the move constantly working in the yard and etc. Will you have to have a feeding tube? My husband was told that he will need one toward the end of treatment.

    Good luck to you. You are well on your way to be done with treatment and I wish you the best. These are the kind of stories I like to hear!

    Radiation
    Hi Penny,compared with the rest here my case thank God is very small, but i share my experiences and pray for all.
    My tumor was little and low grade adenocarcinoma in my soft palate small salivary gland ,it was removed in March 4th but ,i wait olmost 2 month to make sure the hole is all cover with tissues before the radiation starter. I finally star the rad May 12 ,it will be 7 weeks 5x a week and it last 4 minutes but it was necesary to asure my future since the cancer was not spreaded.
    I am in my 18 days of Rad ,i feel little tired by 7p.m , i don't have a Peg and i never though about put one so, i eat very good long before the treatment ,got up 210pds from 185 ,now in 3 weeks i lost 10 pounds abut 3 to 4 pds a week, i still eating but most cold shakes ,ice creams ,fruts ,jello ,pudding ,eggs and sardines ,my taste buds is gone 100% so can't eat beef or seafood at all it taste terribleeee ,i feel with energy so far, iam dealing with some sores in my palate and close to my throat but , i been manage the disconfort and use the pian killer very little maybe twice.
    Penny ,i don't know how old is ur husband ,,iam 48 and i got stron mind plus i work in the medical field ,if you husband is skinny be consider a peg as soon as you notice the rapid lost of weigh ,iam telling you is nothing more effective to lose weigh than the lost of the taste ,,and he will experience that little by little since it is the first thing to go.
    I will keep posting how my weeks goes and hope i can handle it with the help of god .
    God Bless you,Roxie
  • pennynl4
    pennynl4 Member Posts: 49
    #6
    Options
    luckyfl said:

    Radiation
    Hi Penny,compared with the rest here my case thank God is very small, but i share my experiences and pray for all.
    My tumor was little and low grade adenocarcinoma in my soft palate small salivary gland ,it was removed in March 4th but ,i wait olmost 2 month to make sure the hole is all cover with tissues before the radiation starter. I finally star the rad May 12 ,it will be 7 weeks 5x a week and it last 4 minutes but it was necesary to asure my future since the cancer was not spreaded.
    I am in my 18 days of Rad ,i feel little tired by 7p.m , i don't have a Peg and i never though about put one so, i eat very good long before the treatment ,got up 210pds from 185 ,now in 3 weeks i lost 10 pounds abut 3 to 4 pds a week, i still eating but most cold shakes ,ice creams ,fruts ,jello ,pudding ,eggs and sardines ,my taste buds is gone 100% so can't eat beef or seafood at all it taste terribleeee ,i feel with energy so far, iam dealing with some sores in my palate and close to my throat but , i been manage the disconfort and use the pian killer very little maybe twice.
    Penny ,i don't know how old is ur husband ,,iam 48 and i got stron mind plus i work in the medical field ,if you husband is skinny be consider a peg as soon as you notice the rapid lost of weigh ,iam telling you is nothing more effective to lose weigh than the lost of the taste ,,and he will experience that little by little since it is the first thing to go.
    I will keep posting how my weeks goes and hope i can handle it with the help of god .
    God Bless you,Roxie

    Radiation
    Thank you Roxie for replying. My husband will be 58 next week. We are both fearful of the effects of the radiation and chemo. After his neck surgery a couple of weeks ago, he has lost 7 or 8 lbs. Yes, my husband is thin and can't afford to lose anymore weight. The doctor did indicate he would have a feeding tube towards the end of the treatment. We have both heard horror stories about the chemo and radiation side effects. We just don't know what to expect. It sounds like he won't be in bed all the time.

    Thank the Lord your cancer hadn't spread. Your treatments should be over by the time my husband starts. May God give you strength these next few weeks as you are finishing up with your treatments. God Bless, Penny
  • luckyfl
    luckyfl Member Posts: 42
    #7
    Options
    pennynl4 said:

    Radiation
    Thank you Roxie for replying. My husband will be 58 next week. We are both fearful of the effects of the radiation and chemo. After his neck surgery a couple of weeks ago, he has lost 7 or 8 lbs. Yes, my husband is thin and can't afford to lose anymore weight. The doctor did indicate he would have a feeding tube towards the end of the treatment. We have both heard horror stories about the chemo and radiation side effects. We just don't know what to expect. It sounds like he won't be in bed all the time.

    Thank the Lord your cancer hadn't spread. Your treatments should be over by the time my husband starts. May God give you strength these next few weeks as you are finishing up with your treatments. God Bless, Penny

    RADIATION
    Hi Penny ,like i said before your hubby have little more than me to treat but nomatter what everybody is diferent. Before i started my radiation i hear horror everywhere till i came here,i was told that i will need a Peg even my rad doctor never told me that, but you always hear others and that make you very nervouse.I will sugest you to keep visiting this site and ask everything u need and boder ,nothing is stupid to ask ,everything have an anwser.
    I never find anyone here with the same cancer and same area than me but, i still ask others and they really help me a lot.
    Don't let him or you be afraid for the Peg tube when the time comes, acording to you he cannot lose more weigh and that will be necesary .In my case i start eating right after my surgery and pack from 189 to 210 ,,because i was afraid ,now i am losing it little by little because i cant eat a lot fatty food and plus because i need it anyways before all this .
    One more thing ,,PRAY AND PRAY that all will be ok ,i know it is hard on those that the throat ,neck ,salivary glands ,hearing will be affect with the radiation or quemo ,thank god my sores are only superfitial and locally in the roof of my mouth.
    Well,good luck and i will keep looking here for the progress.God Bless you and your family.
    Roxie
  • TIM_WWJD
    TIM_WWJD Member Posts: 38
    #8
    Options
    luckyfl said:

    RADIATION
    Hi Penny ,like i said before your hubby have little more than me to treat but nomatter what everybody is diferent. Before i started my radiation i hear horror everywhere till i came here,i was told that i will need a Peg even my rad doctor never told me that, but you always hear others and that make you very nervouse.I will sugest you to keep visiting this site and ask everything u need and boder ,nothing is stupid to ask ,everything have an anwser.
    I never find anyone here with the same cancer and same area than me but, i still ask others and they really help me a lot.
    Don't let him or you be afraid for the Peg tube when the time comes, acording to you he cannot lose more weigh and that will be necesary .In my case i start eating right after my surgery and pack from 189 to 210 ,,because i was afraid ,now i am losing it little by little because i cant eat a lot fatty food and plus because i need it anyways before all this .
    One more thing ,,PRAY AND PRAY that all will be ok ,i know it is hard on those that the throat ,neck ,salivary glands ,hearing will be affect with the radiation or quemo ,thank god my sores are only superfitial and locally in the roof of my mouth.
    Well,good luck and i will keep looking here for the progress.God Bless you and your family.
    Roxie

    Lucky Roxie
    I sure hope and pray for you to remain lucky through your treatments. I read your entries and you sound positive and like you are doing well in the tone but the words are saying something differently. I know you feel going without the PEG tube was your best choice and I would never sugest anyone has made a wrong choice in their own treatment. I only want you to read your blog where your throat is too sore to eat, taste buds don't work anyway or the smells sometimes make you nausous (sp). All these are where the PEG can help out. I too did not use my tube in the first part of treatment. Once the pain started I concluded that if swallowing iritated my throat then it would cause pain and perhaps hinder healing so I use the tube. I also figured out the pain meds are needed. I started with Tylenol 3 until it didn't work and the past couple of weeks I had to get something stronger. I was and am concerned with addition so I struggle with taking them or fighting through the pain. It was explained to me all the energy used to fight the pain could be used for healing so i am adjusting.
    The other spot I neglected some was treating my skin after every radiation treatment. It didn't hurt or was not red at first but once it started it came fast. I noticed the areas I was using the Neotegena Oil Free skin lotion on my face didn't turn as soon. I think it would have saved me two weeks of pain if I had done this all along. The outer burns will come no matter it just shortens the time and I feel lessened the intensity.
    Well that is all I have to add, just read other blogs and get all the input you can, you are correct the doctors don't seem to bring things up to you but if you take your notes in they all will give their opinion as to your situation. Good luck and God bless
    Tim
  • luckyfl
    luckyfl Member Posts: 42
    #9
    Options
    TIM_WWJD said:

    Lucky Roxie
    I sure hope and pray for you to remain lucky through your treatments. I read your entries and you sound positive and like you are doing well in the tone but the words are saying something differently. I know you feel going without the PEG tube was your best choice and I would never sugest anyone has made a wrong choice in their own treatment. I only want you to read your blog where your throat is too sore to eat, taste buds don't work anyway or the smells sometimes make you nausous (sp). All these are where the PEG can help out. I too did not use my tube in the first part of treatment. Once the pain started I concluded that if swallowing iritated my throat then it would cause pain and perhaps hinder healing so I use the tube. I also figured out the pain meds are needed. I started with Tylenol 3 until it didn't work and the past couple of weeks I had to get something stronger. I was and am concerned with addition so I struggle with taking them or fighting through the pain. It was explained to me all the energy used to fight the pain could be used for healing so i am adjusting.
    The other spot I neglected some was treating my skin after every radiation treatment. It didn't hurt or was not red at first but once it started it came fast. I noticed the areas I was using the Neotegena Oil Free skin lotion on my face didn't turn as soon. I think it would have saved me two weeks of pain if I had done this all along. The outer burns will come no matter it just shortens the time and I feel lessened the intensity.
    Well that is all I have to add, just read other blogs and get all the input you can, you are correct the doctors don't seem to bring things up to you but if you take your notes in they all will give their opinion as to your situation. Good luck and God bless
    Tim

    MY RAD IN PROGRESS
    Hello Tim and thanks for your reply ,you have a good point of view but maybe i express myself i show and unclear message. Iam in my 3 week and 1/2 of Rad with 13 more days to go and i notice that the sideeffect are not the terrible thing i was read before maybe because the type of cancer ,the location ,the low grade and very important the type of treatment plan my Rad Doc made for me.
    The machine they using on me is not causing any damage to my salivary gland or outer face skin, or internal troat thank god ! but, it is causing the normal canker sores ,one inside my left cheek and 2 on my soft palate ,,it is tender when swallow regular food such i still eating except meet and rough products but those sores are no keeping me away of having a good balance diet so far >>>as i told my doctor basicaly i don't have much pain as disconfort, iam so far living as if a have sore troat such i used to have a lot of strep in my younger years and is the same feeling.
    I know what you mean about the Peg ,and for sure i will be using it if my doc recomended or my treatment was long and complicated but,,,iam doing ok i can tolerate the disconfort and i have my pain meds in case i need it,,my doc told me that maybe i can get a little worse ,,maybe another sore ,,total of 4 in the next week or so let see ,,so far even with no taste i try and eat soup, cesar salad (i can taste that),fruits ,protein shakes etc,,.
    Well, i will keep in touch to posted my progress ,,i hope others know that all depend in the person ,the case and treatment lengh to calculate the sideefects.
    Thanks ,Roxie

Discussion Boards