Last Radiation Treatment Today

Ericalynn
Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
in Esophageal Cancer #1
59 YO
T-3, N-1M-0 –May 17, 2011
Started Radiation/Chemo-June 1, 2011
My husband (John) completed his last radiation treatment today. Next step we go to Moffitt Cancer Center for second opinion surgery consult on Wednesday. I am hoping that he is a candidate for MIE surgery; if he is then I will appeal to the insurance company to go out of network to Moffitt for MIE surgery (in network surgeon only does Ivor/Lewis). John is having a difficult time eating but works at it every day and forces himself to eat. Last night he ate a whole plate full of fettuccini alfredo with little problem tonight he wanted it again and he had a very difficult time. We were both disappointed that is was not as easy to get down tonight. He did get most of it down but did not enjoy it the way he did last night. We will have to try something else tomorrow. He his holding is weight (@148) normal weight 160-165. He does not have a lot of wiggle room for any more weight lost. He had a much better weekend this past weekend then he did the weekend of the 4th. He was so dehydrated on Tuesday July 5 (when he got to radiation) he was sent up to medical oncologist to get an IV. He also saw the medical oncologist on Tuesday and he ordered another IV for Wednesday & Friday. Some of his severe fatigue and general malaise was due to dehydration. For anyone going through treatment (or care giver) insisted on fluids when you (patient) needs it. John asked for IV on the Friday before long weekend and the only nurse left at medical oncologist office did not think he needed it (she was the only one left working and she would have had to stay over to get him the IV). I have not reported this to the office management but I will. What a difference this past weekend was he was still in pain and tired but he did not spend the entire weekend in bed, much better weekend. He has not been to the Gym for over a week. Before diagnosis he went to gym everyday and spent 2-3 hours working out. He continued to go to gym most days until the “dehydration weekend”. He wants to get back to the gym and I am hoping that now that radiation and chemo is over he will be able to start back. He enjoys going to the gym and it gets him out of the house. John is retired (early retirement). I am hoping in the next few weeks the pain from radiation will ease up and he will be able to eat without pain. I have not posted as much as some on the board but I read everyone’s posts. I appreciate everyone’s encouragement and I have learned so much in such a short time. It is nice to know that you are all here. I feel all of your support every time I log in and read all of your encouraging words.
Erica

Comments

  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #2
    eating
    We have tried a slightly different approach to eating, and it seems to work. Lee sets his own meal plan. Sometimes it has me going to the grocery store a few extra times, and some wasted food, but he is eating! He tries to envision a plate of food in front of him. Sometimes it's rather unhealthy food (chocolate bars and nachos for example) but if he's going to eat it, I'm going to buy it for him! This does not always work of course, and sometimes what he envisioned just won't go down, but he is trying! He does find that taking big gulps of water or orange juice helps the food go down. Others have recommended drinking coke, but that did not work for him.

    Also, he seems to enjoy smoothies, this morning I made him one with frozen bananas, milk, ice cream and carnation instant breakfast. He liked it, and it's a pretty good calorie boost. (about 500 calories I figure) A few months ago I picked up a 'Magic Bullet' and it's the best thing I've ever purchased. I would highly advise getting one, especially for those having a hard time getting those calories in.

    Take care,
    Chantal
  • jojoshort
    jojoshort Member Posts: 230 Member
    #3
    Daisylin said:

    eating
    We have tried a slightly different approach to eating, and it seems to work. Lee sets his own meal plan. Sometimes it has me going to the grocery store a few extra times, and some wasted food, but he is eating! He tries to envision a plate of food in front of him. Sometimes it's rather unhealthy food (chocolate bars and nachos for example) but if he's going to eat it, I'm going to buy it for him! This does not always work of course, and sometimes what he envisioned just won't go down, but he is trying! He does find that taking big gulps of water or orange juice helps the food go down. Others have recommended drinking coke, but that did not work for him.

    Also, he seems to enjoy smoothies, this morning I made him one with frozen bananas, milk, ice cream and carnation instant breakfast. He liked it, and it's a pretty good calorie boost. (about 500 calories I figure) A few months ago I picked up a 'Magic Bullet' and it's the best thing I've ever purchased. I would highly advise getting one, especially for those having a hard time getting those calories in.

    Take care,
    Chantal

    Glad for you both
    Hi Chantal, glad you and your husband found some tricks that work. Being summertime, we've found ice cream frappes to be fantastic, too.
    Jo-Ann

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