Hi Everybody just checking in

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Matt29
Matt29 Member Posts: 62
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi everybody i know its been a little while since i have checked in but i'm 8 days into radiation and 1 chemo down the chemo was horrible i had to go for fluids yesterday so with that and some steroids i was good to go i have my radiation in the evening around 5 everything is going ok i'm feeling a little better than i did before so i'm able to eat a little bit i went and seen the docs yesterday and they are happy with results thus far there is reduction in tumor size and lymph node involvement my radiologist did decide to radiate both sides of the neck just a small dose on the left side because of how big the tumor got between the time i had my teeth taking out and treatment thank you for all the prayers and concerns i will try and keep updated.The one thing that is a pain is sleeping so i bought me a wedge pillow see if that helps.

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  • meaganb
    meaganb Member Posts: 244 Member
    #2
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    Sounds like You're doing
    Sounds like You're doing really well Matt. 8 done already! You are well in your way to having this whole mess behind you. There will definitely be bumps along the way, but it seems like your attitude is a lot more positive than when you first posted. Just keep fighting and before you know it, you'll be finished. Prayers are being lifted up for you and your family Matt!
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #3
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    hang in there
    Matt,

    It sounds like you’ve made a good start, congratulations. You are already part way through, good luck.

    Trouble sleeping, you need to look into that. Do you hurt or is your mind racing? There are medications and activities to help you get over the hump. My mind was a mess at first, I could not fall asleep, then I popped one of my Lorazepams and I would fall fast asleep. Some times just one Advil PM was enough. This only lasted a short while and I take nothing today (12 weeks post). Do the best you can to figure out the sleep problem because there are other reasons to lose sleep ahead (having to pee, neck and throat pain, etc.)

    You sound like you are doing great and following a well worn path. Just stay on the trail, follow the signs and let us know how you are doing.

    Prayers and blessings your way,

    Matt
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #4
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    meaganb said:

    Sounds like You're doing
    Sounds like You're doing really well Matt. 8 done already! You are well in your way to having this whole mess behind you. There will definitely be bumps along the way, but it seems like your attitude is a lot more positive than when you first posted. Just keep fighting and before you know it, you'll be finished. Prayers are being lifted up for you and your family Matt!

    Hi Matt,
    Good to hear from
    Hi Matt,

    Good to hear from you. Everyday goes by is one less day of treatment! As Meagan said, this is definately a bumpy road, enjoy the ups and try to be as postive as you can thru downs.

    Sam
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #5
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    It's SO good to hear from you Matt...
    We do wonder about our peers when they disappear. I sorry the chemo was so hard on you, but ever so glad to hear that you're feeling better today.

    8 days into radiation!...now you you're starting ground hog days. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time...and those days will tick off till you're done.

    p
  • Tonsil Dad
    Tonsil Dad Member Posts: 488
    #6
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    phrannie51 said:

    It's SO good to hear from you Matt...
    We do wonder about our peers when they disappear. I sorry the chemo was so hard on you, but ever so glad to hear that you're feeling better today.

    8 days into radiation!...now you you're starting ground hog days. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time...and those days will tick off till you're done.

    p

    Soon b done!
    Hi Matt,
    Nice to here you finally got started, it will be all behind you
    before you know it.
    Keep positive and have faith, even if you feel bad or feel down
    it will get better.

    God bless
    Tonsil dad,

    Dan.
  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    #7
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    He's not heavy, he's my brother~~
    As Phrannie says, we wonder about each other when posts stop, glad to know you're on the winding road to wellness~~
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
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    Hi Matt

    Sound like you are doing great just continue your positive attitude and focus on getting better, soon all this will be only a memory. I too had a lot of problems sleeping had to get the doc to prescribe sleeping meds for me. Don’t be afraid to take them if you need because your body needs rest to help it heal faster for all the Chemo & rad.

    Keeping you in prayer
    Hondo
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #9
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    Hondo said:

    Hi Matt

    Sound like you are doing great just continue your positive attitude and focus on getting better, soon all this will be only a memory. I too had a lot of problems sleeping had to get the doc to prescribe sleeping meds for me. Don’t be afraid to take them if you need because your body needs rest to help it heal faster for all the Chemo & rad.

    Keeping you in prayer
    Hondo

    There's Matt!!!!
    Wondering where you were at. Glad you are 8 down, that's almost 1/4 isn't it?? :)

    You are on your way Matt.........and you are still on my prayer list!!!

    Best,

    Tim
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #10
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    Tim6003 said:

    There's Matt!!!!
    Wondering where you were at. Glad you are 8 down, that's almost 1/4 isn't it?? :)

    You are on your way Matt.........and you are still on my prayer list!!!

    Best,

    Tim

    Hi Matt, glad you got us all
    Hi Matt, glad you got us all updated on your progress. Sorry the chemo was rough, but it sounds like you have all the tools at your disposal, so hopefully it will get better for you.

    As for sleeping, have you tried just sleeping in a recliner ? I did that for my first several weeks after surgery. It was much easier than laying down. I just propped a few pillows on both sides of me, so I didn't roll to one side, and it must have been pretty comfy, because I was usually able to fall asleep.

    As Hondo says, don't be afraid to ask for and use some help in sleeping. This is the biggest battle of your life, you need to get your rest.

    Your attitude has gotten so much better, that will help you so much in your fight and the recovery after treatment.

    Continuing to keep you in my prayers. Do Well.
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #11
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    Ingrid K said:

    Hi Matt, glad you got us all
    Hi Matt, glad you got us all updated on your progress. Sorry the chemo was rough, but it sounds like you have all the tools at your disposal, so hopefully it will get better for you.

    As for sleeping, have you tried just sleeping in a recliner ? I did that for my first several weeks after surgery. It was much easier than laying down. I just propped a few pillows on both sides of me, so I didn't roll to one side, and it must have been pretty comfy, because I was usually able to fall asleep.

    As Hondo says, don't be afraid to ask for and use some help in sleeping. This is the biggest battle of your life, you need to get your rest.

    Your attitude has gotten so much better, that will help you so much in your fight and the recovery after treatment.

    Continuing to keep you in my prayers. Do Well.

    Use your Ativan for sleeping....
    1/2 will lay me to rest....and whole one should knock you out. Ativan....the fun teesy pill that is so good for so many things :)

    p
  • ooo
    ooo Member Posts: 105
    #12
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    meaganb said:

    Sounds like You're doing
    Sounds like You're doing really well Matt. 8 done already! You are well in your way to having this whole mess behind you. There will definitely be bumps along the way, but it seems like your attitude is a lot more positive than when you first posted. Just keep fighting and before you know it, you'll be finished. Prayers are being lifted up for you and your family Matt!

    Hey everyone!
    Matt, great to
    Hey everyone!

    Matt, great to hear the you're doing ok. Meaganb, you're done right? Congrats! Has anyone heard from Zipperneck? He should be done with treatment by now.. maybe I missed one of his posts. I'm thinking of all of you guys.

    Dre.
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #13
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    phrannie51 said:

    Use your Ativan for sleeping....
    1/2 will lay me to rest....and whole one should knock you out. Ativan....the fun teesy pill that is so good for so many things :)

    p

    Checking in on you Matt
    Matt...been five days (I think) since your last post ..just checking in you ??

    Tim
  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #14
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    sleep
    Hope you have found a way to sleep. I found Lorazepam to be my new BFF at bedtime with an occasional Advil PM. I had allot of teeth removed as well and found rice krispies with plenty of milk, eggs, and baked potatoes with butter and sour cream real staples during treatment. Chocolate milk helped food go down when I had mouth sores. My first chemo treatment did not go well so I went to half doses more frequently which helped immensely. Unfortunately, I think I encountered most every side effect of rads and chemo. I hope you don't encounter same but if you do, know that things changed day to day and in the end it was all bearable. I'm 3 weeks out from my last treatment, looking in the rear view mirror but still having a few side effects. Seems after I passed the halfway mark in treatment, it went relatively quickly. Best of luck to you.

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