Help Understanding the Healing Process

Mendy

Hello everyonge. I need some emotional help. I am currently going through cancer treatment. I am a 43 yr old man. I am diagnosed with Nasalpharnyxgeal Carcinoma. (NPC). July 2005. I have completed 39 radiation treatments. I have been healing for 4 weeks. I will start my chemo next week after Thanksgiving. My problem is I am stressing out on this emotional highway of healing. For example last week I was great for 3 days able to breathe through my nose and sleep at night. Then this past sunday BAM! Now I have this cough that keeps me up and my nose will not clear for a long time so no sleep or rest or breathing properly. Again it has been 4 weeks. Just when it is good it goes bad a few days later. Is this healing process or am I doing something wrong. I Pray, wish, and take my Meds. I get so depress on myself that I am not healing. Please help anyone. Thank you very much in advance and god be with you all.

TereB

Hi Mendy, Sorry you are going thru so many things right now. The healing process is slow. It usually takes 3-4 months to heal completely from radiation. Every day it is a little better, it just takes time. I know it is stressful but try to relax, easier said than done, I know. If you cannot sleep all night, at least try to take naps because you need the rest. I don't think you are doing anything wrong, you just need to be patient. I don't think it is that you are not healing, it just takes time for your body to go back to normal after radiation. The first time I had radiation, it was very hard; I've had radiation several times and it doesn't bother me as much as the first time, mostly because I learned to relax and to be patient with the whole process. There is nothing you can do to speed it up. You need rest, so sleep even if it is just naps. Eat, if you can, or drink something like Boost or Ensure if you do not feel like eating. Also, many hospitals and oncology depts. have social workers available for cancer patients that can help. Therapy helped me a lot. Radiation and chemo are not easy and all of us can use a some extra help. Praying helps to relax you, sort of like meditation. Read, watch TV, listen to music, whatever that you enjoy and that helps you take your mind off your physical problems and slow healing. You are in my prayers from now on and I will send your name to the prayer group.
All the best and a big hug,
TereB