Post Radiation

Mstevenson
Mstevenson Member Posts: 5
edited September 2011 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
What a great forum. I am BOT cancer 7 days ago today I finished all my treatments and must confess looking to feel better NOW. Well find myself more than a little depressed about my symptoms still very tight throat flem that chokes me at night . Sorry about my whining just wonder if any here can share a bit about the end and when things start improving. Oh just to fill you in 3 chemo 35 IMRT radiation done but wow have I made it? Do I have my expectations to high?
Thinking all along I can do this but find a need to reach out and ask for help..Found you yesterday you allready made me feel not alone.



Could use some advice

Thanks Mike

Comments

  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    #2
    Time
    Be patient and don't rush trying to be "normal" again. Some seem to bounce back immediately while others take months or years to become as fully functional as they ever will be. The fact that you want to feel better is great but don't blame yourself if it takes (what you consider) too long. They destroyed your body so try and be patient. IT WILL HAPPEN and you will officially be an abi-normal again.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Welcome Mike
    Welcome to the forum...

    Like Denny mentioned, more than likely it's going to be a few more weeks before you actually physically start turning around.

    Most of us feel that you are actually still "cooking" for lack of better terms. The rads take a good three weeks to start effecting you and about the same once you finished getting zapped with them.

    I had similar to you, nine weeks (three week cycles) of chemo, then seven weekly doses of chemo with 35 daily IMRT zaps.

    I also had Amifostine injections which are supposed to help with the mucuous and saliva.

    It took a good few months before I started noticing any saliva coming back. But now at 2 1/2 years out post treatment,I have around 95% of both taste and saliva back.

    Thoughts & Prayers,
    John
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #4
    End of treatment, Yes!
    Hi Mike

    Welcome. I had the same as you: BOT, 3 chemo and 35 rads. Definitely 1 week is too short a time frame to expect any improvement. Nothing to be depressed about as it is pretty normal around these parts. The big thing for you to savor now is having made it through treatment! That is certainly a milestone in itself.

    I am 1 year out and doing great. In my case, it was a gradual improvement over time (time being measured in months rather than days or weeks). I woke up one am about 5-6 days post treatment and felt the teensiest bit better. Looking back it was probably the result of that last chemo wearing off. Each month after treatment was better than the month before. Yeah we all want to finish treatment so we can start feeling better asap, but it doesn't quite work that way. Not to worry, you'll begin to feel better in due time. Hopefully for you, it will be sooner rather than later. Stay strong Mike. Cheers.

    Jimbo

    Jimbo
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #5
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome Mike
    Welcome to the forum...

    Like Denny mentioned, more than likely it's going to be a few more weeks before you actually physically start turning around.

    Most of us feel that you are actually still "cooking" for lack of better terms. The rads take a good three weeks to start effecting you and about the same once you finished getting zapped with them.

    I had similar to you, nine weeks (three week cycles) of chemo, then seven weekly doses of chemo with 35 daily IMRT zaps.

    I also had Amifostine injections which are supposed to help with the mucuous and saliva.

    It took a good few months before I started noticing any saliva coming back. But now at 2 1/2 years out post treatment,I have around 95% of both taste and saliva back.

    Thoughts & Prayers,
    John

    Hi Mike

    Welcome to the family my friend. I agree with the others it all takes time before things start to come back to what we call your New Normal, but you will get there. Some people get there taste back with in a month and other it take a years, it all depends on your body. The good news is that it will come back and you will start to feel better everyday a little at a time.

    Wishing you well
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #6
    Jimbo55 said:

    End of treatment, Yes!
    Hi Mike

    Welcome. I had the same as you: BOT, 3 chemo and 35 rads. Definitely 1 week is too short a time frame to expect any improvement. Nothing to be depressed about as it is pretty normal around these parts. The big thing for you to savor now is having made it through treatment! That is certainly a milestone in itself.

    I am 1 year out and doing great. In my case, it was a gradual improvement over time (time being measured in months rather than days or weeks). I woke up one am about 5-6 days post treatment and felt the teensiest bit better. Looking back it was probably the result of that last chemo wearing off. Each month after treatment was better than the month before. Yeah we all want to finish treatment so we can start feeling better asap, but it doesn't quite work that way. Not to worry, you'll begin to feel better in due time. Hopefully for you, it will be sooner rather than later. Stay strong Mike. Cheers.

    Jimbo

    Jimbo

    Jimbo
    Every time I see this photo of you it reminds me......

    In the photo, you look like a combination of either Will Ferrell or George Bush, haven't decided which the most as of yet....

    How's your comedy routine....LOL.

    Best to you brother, very glad that you are doing well.
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #7
    Skiffin16 said:

    Jimbo
    Every time I see this photo of you it reminds me......

    In the photo, you look like a combination of either Will Ferrell or George Bush, haven't decided which the most as of yet....

    How's your comedy routine....LOL.

    Best to you brother, very glad that you are doing well.
    John

    George Bush

    My goodness John you are right, there is a little G in Jimbo

    :~)
    Hondo
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #8
    Hondo said:

    George Bush

    My goodness John you are right, there is a little G in Jimbo

    :~)
    Hondo

    Guess It's Time For A New Photo...
    John, Hondo

    Will Ferrell and Mr Bush, those are new ones for me. In the Philippines they thought I looked like Chuck Norris, so much so a few of my friends called me Chuck.

    Funny you should mention it, but I have been working on my comedy routine John. Remember these?

    "Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere!"


    "Hey Ma, where's the meatloaf!!!!"

    Cheers,
    Jimbo
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #9
    Werlcome Mike
    This is a great group with lots of info and support. My husband, Jim was diagnosed mid May with stage 4 BOT with 2 lymph nodes involved. Had 40 RADS concurrent with 2 cisplatin and 3 erbatox. He is 5 weeks out from treatment and all is looking good. As for recovery, "Everyone is Different" is the mantra from Docs and others. I believe age plays a role is recovery. Jim is slowly recovering but still has no stamina and strength. Shower and shave wipe him out for a few hours. He still has no appetite and most food and drink taste really nasty. This weeks milestone was drinking water without it tasting like sea water.

    Praying for your recovery to be fast and complete.

    Debbie

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