Today was my last day of radiation

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Raddude
Raddude Member Posts: 84
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Got through the chemo and 35 radiation treatments, now on to the healing. It was a little bumpy but thanks to the good folks on here and friends/family made much easier. By reading on here and other places I was able to avoid some of the pitfalls. I had no mouth sores, very little neck burn, I can swallow and feel fairly energitic most of the time. I have developed a little peripheral neuropathy in my feet from erbitux. Went to a chinese buffet Friday with my girl. Although I couldn't eat I wanted to try things. Surprisingly I was able to taste almost everything as I had rememembered. Chicken and Chocolate were gross though. I can swallow pills, gatorade and water but for some reason when I try to eat food I gag. Not sure why. Will keep on feeding with tube until I figure that out. 

So, the plan is to keep up with some good nutrition, excersize and see what the new normal will be. Thanks again to the community for your tips, stories and prayers they were all much appreciated.

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #2
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    job done

    Raddude,

    Congratulations!  I will happily ring my bell for you.

    It sounds like you have already been introduced to your “new normal”.

    Heal on,

     Matt

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #3
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    Congratulations! You made it,

    Congratulations! You made it, and I am so happy for you!

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #4
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    Outstanding News

    Raddude,

    Great to read that you are finished with treatments. Please remember that we "Cook" for roughly 4-8 weeks as you are feeling the full effects of the total treatments. You may feel worse before you feel better. Measure your improvements in weeks and not days as it might seem as though you are moving one step forward and two backwards for a spell. Great to read that you didn't have any issues with the mouth sores.

    Good to see you already tried the Chinese Buffet already to get a bench mark on what you can eat at this time. Chocolate ice cream was a favorite of mine until treatments, it took me 2 years before I could taste it again, been making up for lost time sinceLaughing

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
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    Crossing the Finish line

    Wow it is truly a good feeling when you cross over that finished line, congratulation on your journey, now as you said starts the healing process.

    Tim  

  • tomb247
    tomb247 Member Posts: 54
    #6
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    Congratualtions!

    I took a picture every day of treatment and my last day picture said "30 and done". It is a good feeling to know that you have finished and now can let the healing begin.

    You will star feeling better soon and it will progress every day. 

    Congratualtions again and Blessings to you!

    Peace,

    Tom

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #7
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    Way to go.......Congratulations

    Great job. You will still be cooking for several weeks, but the treatment is behind you now. Recovery will seem slow at first but it will get better.

    Bill

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
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    Whoo Hoo!!

    Today is a huge milestone!  Oh I remember how wonderful it felt to not have to get up and go to radiation. 

    I think you're doing great!  If you could taste things on the last day of rads, then two months from now, you need to try that Chinese Buffet again. 

    Take good care of yourself for the next 2 weeks or so....you're still cooking....rest when you need it...drink lots of water.

    p

  • josh r.
    josh r. Member Posts: 264 Member
    #9
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    congratulations!

    Well done Raddude,

    Now begin a new! josh r.

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #10
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    Wonderful News!

    You made it and now the healing can begin. It sounds like you came through in fairly good shape and with your determination, recovery won't take long. I felt better around the four month mark and then again at about a year. New normal is pretty much the old me with just a few minor issues with swallowing some types of food. Congratulations!

  • the_wife
    the_wife Member Posts: 184
    #11
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    See - that wasn't so bad, was

    See - that wasn't so bad, was it??

    Sounds like you made the right choice and came out unscathed for the most part. Nice going! Congratulations and keep up the good work!!

    CELEBRATE!!

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #12
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    Doing the happy dance to

    help you celebrate! Sounds like you did pretty well. Thankfully you didn't get the mouth sores! Keep a positive outlook and don't get discouraged with the time frame for recovery - it's slow, but in the right direction. Here's hoping you meet NED in the not too distant future!

    Barbara

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #13
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    Good News

    Made it through in better shape than most. Heal on!!!!!!!!!

          Jeff

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #14
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    Ringing the bell

    Congrats on finishing! Positive thoughts and prayers on healing...

    "T"

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #15
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    Fantastic!

    So glad to hear you weaved and dodged and avoid many of the common nasties most encounter. Sounds like you are doing super so keep on doing what you are doing. You'll be off the bumpy road in no time. Congrats!

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