The glass is half empty!
Hi Folks,
I'm writing from the chemo lab getting some fluids and anti-nausea meds. I hit the wall on Sunday and the last few days have been the most challenging thus far. The next three weeks will be as much as or more challenging but so far, considering what it could be, I'm doing Ok (translation: this SUCKS but I'm dealing with it ~lol~).
Ok... the GOOD news! Today is the official 1/2 way mark in my treatment! 15 more rads and 3 more chemos to go! I'm a glass half full kind of guy but today the glass is half empty for good reason!
Yesterday's appointment with my Speech/Launguage Pathologist showed the swallowing issues I've been having. I have the exercises and I'll keep on doing them. I have an appointment this afternoon to start re-habbing my shoulder.
My appointment with my RO was good. My weight was stable so NO PEG (feeding tube) for now. He seems to think I'm reaching the pinnacle of pain issues due to the nuerontin doing it's thing. The scope of my throat yesterday also showed some pretty major irritation but not the pain associated with it. Any pain and/or breakthrough pain is being controlled with some low doses of narcotics.
I have an appointment this afternoon to start re-habbing my shoulder. I see my MO on Friday. So far, no issues with tinnitis or hearing loss.
Three more weeks and I can ring the bell!
"T"
Comments
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bumps ahead
T,
I was just thinking about you this weekend. I found a moment alone in the car, radio blasting so I made like “T” and tried out my pipes. Not bad, not bad at all. Point being you stay the course, hold tight and continue to take on each battle with Mr. Positive “T” and you will be fine.
Heads up, it is not over yet, stay focused on each task, nutrition, hydration, swallowing, etc…
Matt
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1/2 empty is a good thing for this !
T,
At first I thought no way is T looking at this negatively. Yeap, I was right. You have a fantastic attitude, and have knowledge from the folks here that have been through the ropes and survived it all. It won't be long and it'll all be behind you ! 3 weeks and we'll be waiting to hear that bell loud and clear my friend ! Katie
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TCivilMatt said:bumps ahead
T,
I was just thinking about you this weekend. I found a moment alone in the car, radio blasting so I made like “T” and tried out my pipes. Not bad, not bad at all. Point being you stay the course, hold tight and continue to take on each battle with Mr. Positive “T” and you will be fine.
Heads up, it is not over yet, stay focused on each task, nutrition, hydration, swallowing, etc…
Matt
Initially, I could not raise my arm very far at all, not even close to being able to wash my own hair. Once the therapy started and I did a few exercises everyday with some stretch bands, I got full range back within a couple of weeks. Just be sure to follow through with the exercises. Sorry the tx is tough right now but you are going to be in single digits soon then done before you know it. At your stage of the game, knowing what I know now, I would suggest doing the exercises daily where you open your mouth far enough to get 3 fingers side by side in. Like Matt says, nutrition, hydration and swallowing are key.
Matt, glad to hear you're singing in the car. I think we turned the car radio off the day I heard the word cancer and it didn't come back on until tx was finished. The day I turned it on was when I realized things were getting better and I was ready to move on with the rest of the world. I also recall going to a park with food trucks and a band and caught myself tapping my foot to the music, at that moment, I knew I would have some sence of normalcy back in my life. T, lots to look forward to, you will be surprised at the joy in little things after this tx.
You are right about the spot where I lost sight of the goal. Remember, you are doing it for NED!
God Bless,
Candi
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You Are doing OK!!
Just keep telling yourself that over and over "I'm OK". I'd like to say the second half of treatments/Rads is easier then the first half but that might not be true. Its been two years since they C worded me and I finally feel great but it just takes time.
Keep eating and drinking all you can, the more strength you retain the faster you will perk back up after this is over, and it will be over soon but that a can be a long time in a Chemo room.
Prayers
Dale in Missouri
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There are three significant
"anniversaries" when doing the rads (at least that's the way I saw it).....you have hit the first one. The next one is when you hit single digits....and ofcourse, BELL DAY.....the getting to the first one was the longest....5 days from now, you'll be hitting single digits....and 9 days of count down for the final day. YEAAAAHHHH!!!
One thing I've noticed too....it sure goes faster when you're sitting on the side lines.....LOL. Sorry, but now I know why it was so easy for hubby to say...."that wasn't so bad was it"....
p
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My husband finished radiationphrannie51 said:There are three significant
"anniversaries" when doing the rads (at least that's the way I saw it).....you have hit the first one. The next one is when you hit single digits....and ofcourse, BELL DAY.....the getting to the first one was the longest....5 days from now, you'll be hitting single digits....and 9 days of count down for the final day. YEAAAAHHHH!!!
One thing I've noticed too....it sure goes faster when you're sitting on the side lines.....LOL. Sorry, but now I know why it was so easy for hubby to say...."that wasn't so bad was it"....
p
My husband finished radiation and chemo the day before thanksgiving of 2012 after going through 2 extensive surgeries before that. It was a long 4 months but day by day we made it through. I remember the half way mark of radiation...we were in survival mode and slowly but surely we made it and life is much better. The 2 weeks after radiation were rough but then everyday after that things got better and better. Time heals and the human body is amazing.
Good luck to you and take it one day at a time. You are getting there.
Joan
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My husband finished radiationphrannie51 said:There are three significant
"anniversaries" when doing the rads (at least that's the way I saw it).....you have hit the first one. The next one is when you hit single digits....and ofcourse, BELL DAY.....the getting to the first one was the longest....5 days from now, you'll be hitting single digits....and 9 days of count down for the final day. YEAAAAHHHH!!!
One thing I've noticed too....it sure goes faster when you're sitting on the side lines.....LOL. Sorry, but now I know why it was so easy for hubby to say...."that wasn't so bad was it"....
p
My husband finished radiation and chemo the day before thanksgiving of 2012 after going through 2 extensive surgeries before that. It was a long 4 months but day by day we made it through. I remember the half way mark of radiation...we were in survival mode and slowly but surely we made it and life is much better. The 2 weeks after radiation were rough but then everyday after that things got better and better. Time heals and the human body is amazing.
Good luck to you and take it one day at a time. You are getting there.
Joan
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luvofmylif said:
My husband finished radiation
My husband finished radiation and chemo the day before thanksgiving of 2012 after going through 2 extensive surgeries before that. It was a long 4 months but day by day we made it through. I remember the half way mark of radiation...we were in survival mode and slowly but surely we made it and life is much better. The 2 weeks after radiation were rough but then everyday after that things got better and better. Time heals and the human body is amazing.
Good luck to you and take it one day at a time. You are getting there.
Joan
Your husband finished treatment the same day the ENT looked me in the eyes and said "You have cancer. We don't know what kind exactly yet but I've been doing this a long time and seen enough to know this is cancer." He did a fine needle biopsie and the result was SCC Head and Neck.
"T"
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No one ever forgets the dayfishmanpa said:Your husband finished treatment the same day the ENT looked me in the eyes and said "You have cancer. We don't know what kind exactly yet but I've been doing this a long time and seen enough to know this is cancer." He did a fine needle biopsie and the result was SCC Head and Neck.
"T"
No one ever forgets the day they were diagnosed. My husband was diagnosed on Friday, July 13th. Friday the thirteenth, I should have known. Keep up the good fight. This cancer is curable so, we are all lucky to have that.
Joan
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The Half Way Point T Hang Around...
New song title..., you figure the lyrics and tune..., LOL.
You're doing good..., stay hydrated, keep the calories coming in... I doubt it's going to get much worse for you, but robably not much better either for a spell. Don't get discouraged also, that when you are officially done, the rads damage on your throat doesn't know that... It usually takes a nother week or two to catch up.
Hang Tough T..., just think, by this time next month, you'll be a veteran, done with this chemo/rads crap...
JG
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Hi T ...HelenBack said:Sounds like you are doing great!
You are an inspiration to those of us just starting out.
Keep on keepin' on!
Helen
Hmmm.... I'm not so sure the glass is half empty....if you are typing from the lab and with your sense of humor...you just have the glass upside down and don't realize it :O
....Hang in there....halfway to NED!!!!
Tim
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Hang in there T
You can do this with your eyes closed, it gets better, hang in there....
Jim
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Halfway point.....
Yeah, halfway point!! And with no PEG...you're doing great, my friend. This is a tough road, no doubt, but you will get through this. The outcome will be worth it!
~C
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YEAH!!!
T,
So glad to see that your treatment is flying by... it's amazing how much shorter the second half is as compared to the waiting, and the first half. Before you know it, you'll be done, and wondering why it's not getting better. Many a day where Dan would get us and say, It's not fun being me today. You are doing great though.. and we are all praying that you are going to finish in the spirit that you started.
Take naps when you can, drink while you are awake, and anything you can get in as far as nutrition is really important - you body is not only taking the hit from radiation, it needs fuel to heal, and it's trying already.
Keep us posted, we are all here for you.
Kari
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Keep it up, TNJShore said:YEAH!!!
T,
So glad to see that your treatment is flying by... it's amazing how much shorter the second half is as compared to the waiting, and the first half. Before you know it, you'll be done, and wondering why it's not getting better. Many a day where Dan would get us and say, It's not fun being me today. You are doing great though.. and we are all praying that you are going to finish in the spirit that you started.
Take naps when you can, drink while you are awake, and anything you can get in as far as nutrition is really important - you body is not only taking the hit from radiation, it needs fuel to heal, and it's trying already.
Keep us posted, we are all here for you.
Kari
T,
You have been a great supporter of the rest of us. I know that with your positive attitude you WILL get through this. Just be as supportive of yourself as you are of the rest of us.
M
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Keep on keeping onMICH4EL said:Keep it up, T
T,
You have been a great supporter of the rest of us. I know that with your positive attitude you WILL get through this. Just be as supportive of yourself as you are of the rest of us.
M
YYYAAAAEEE! You made it halfway, I know you will make it the rest of the way. Keep strong, have faith.
Your humor and positive thoughts will get your though.
I know you can see the light at the end of this tunnel and summer will be great healing.
As my husband has quoted "you will be surprised what you can live through".
Keep up the good fight, life is good.
Sandy
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