Done with Chemo/RAD...Think I'm a Sophmore now!
For anyone starting off, I have to tell you that the treatment goes by SO FAST! I remember thinking I'd never make it through the staging process (which was, in my mind, the hardest part!) or the chemo/rad. I was diagnosed May 9th and It's July 18th.
I delivered some cards and chocolates to some of the radiation techs who were instrumental in getting me through the process. I started rad only a few days after my cath placement/j-tube insertion/laproscopic staging, so it was very hard for me to lie down and the get back up again without pain at the incision sites. These gals were very patient.
Ten years ago I watched my mother in a Cancer Survivor's fashion show. This Sunday, she'll be watching me from the audience!
For the next month, I'm gonna eat and rest and golf and spend time with my wife and son (my youngest is home, but my oldest is in school in Australia...thank God for Skype and Facebook...)
So, Who's with me? How is the rest of the Freshman class doing?
I'd like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone on this site who offered their support! Your words are greatly appreciated. I continue to pray for each and every one of us.
Jeff Thomas
Comments
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Week 4 1/2 down
Nick's radiation got off schedule due to some mechanical issues with the radiation arm, so what should begin week 5 for us is ending week 4 1/2.
But he's still in good spirits, still determined to kick this thing, and still eating, no additional weight loss since radiation/chemo started. His appetite is less, his "taste" for food is less, but his hunger is still strong
Fatigue comes a bit faster, but hey - we're 4 weeks older 
Nausea isn't often a problem, but if it starts, it's the devil to get rid of.
Best of luck to you, Jeff, as you near Graduation! Glad to see you out of the Freshman class and onto the next step. Best of luck to ALL of US as we make this journey to Senior!
Terry & Nick
Stage III0 -
We are right with youTerryV said:Week 4 1/2 down
Nick's radiation got off schedule due to some mechanical issues with the radiation arm, so what should begin week 5 for us is ending week 4 1/2.
But he's still in good spirits, still determined to kick this thing, and still eating, no additional weight loss since radiation/chemo started. His appetite is less, his "taste" for food is less, but his hunger is still strong Fatigue comes a bit faster, but hey - we're 4 weeks older Nausea isn't often a problem, but if it starts, it's the devil to get rid of.
Best of luck to you, Jeff, as you near Graduation! Glad to see you out of the Freshman class and onto the next step. Best of luck to ALL of US as we make this journey to Senior!
Terry & Nick
Stage III
Luis finished treatment on July 8th. His PET scan is scheduled for August 1st and CAT scan is scheduled for August 8th. We meet with the surgeon, Dr. Walter Scott on the 8th as well. We are hoping surgery will be scheduled for a couple weeks after that.
Luis is definitely feeling better - he has more energy. Still gets tired more easily than before and has some pain with eating, although I think that is starting to improve as well. We are starting to go for more walks to build up his strength again. But mostly just waiting right now.
On a good note, we made it to our family reunion this past weekend. Luis made it through the whole day! I expected him to tire and want to go back to the hotel, but he lasted the whole day! Everyone was surprised and happy he made it.
Good luck and best wishes for continued success.
Laura0 -
ANOTHER FRESHMAN
Jeff,
Glad to hear things are going well. Looks like we're on about the same track. I finished my last radiation and Chemo on Jul 6th. My PET and CT scan is scheduled for Aug 16th with the surgical consult on Aug 17th at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.
I too remember after the first few radiations it was like "Oh, still 20 to go," but you're right....it pretty much flew by. I experienced (and still am) experiencing loss of weight. Right after the radiation my swallowing got better so nothing is really a problem to eat....it's just that I don't feel like eating....the smell of certain foods make me nausiated and in general, nothing appeals to me. I made a big pan of lasagne which I'm managing to get down maybe one portion a day. Just hoping it's a lingering effect from the chemo and radiation and that it'll start to get better soon. I'm very fatigued but am still managing to work.
So it's back to not waiting for treatments to begin.....it's waiting on the next PET/CT. I hope both of ours come out okay. Good luck to us both and all the other "freshmen".
Michael Daniels (T3N0M0)
Brandon, Florida0 -
Congrats!!
Hey Jeff,
So happy for you, and it sounds like you are still going strong. That was nice of you to bring in a gift for your rad techs, we should do that too. They are always so cheerful, makes you forget what is going on around you! I remember the anxiety of staging, it felt like time stood still. It hasn't been 2 months yet, but when it was happening I was thinking what is taking these people so long, start treating him already. In all actuality by the time we found the right oncologist we were in rads within two weeks. Again congrats on moving on up to sophmore, I too hope we all get our diplomas soon
Ok, so now for an update on my 'freshman'. Jeff is into week 5 now, he has two more rounds of chemo, one tomorrow and one next Tuesday. He has 9 more radiation treatments. I cannot wait to get the treatments over with. He is starting to feel the effects now, loss of appetite and we are battling some nausea. But, he has good days too, so we are hoping he can pull through this and get that appetite back. Last Friday he wanted to go to his favorite sushi restaurant, he ate a TON of sushi (all cooked of course as I am paranoid about his immune system). Then Saturday he came home early from work, the first time since all of this started, but he is starting to look better now. I guess we will see what the next few weeks have in store.
Jeff, Terry, Laura, and Michael...you are all in my thoughts and prayers...WE CAN DO THIS!!0 -
That's impressive!NikiMo said:Congrats!!
Hey Jeff,
So happy for you, and it sounds like you are still going strong. That was nice of you to bring in a gift for your rad techs, we should do that too. They are always so cheerful, makes you forget what is going on around you! I remember the anxiety of staging, it felt like time stood still. It hasn't been 2 months yet, but when it was happening I was thinking what is taking these people so long, start treating him already. In all actuality by the time we found the right oncologist we were in rads within two weeks. Again congrats on moving on up to sophmore, I too hope we all get our diplomas soon
Ok, so now for an update on my 'freshman'. Jeff is into week 5 now, he has two more rounds of chemo, one tomorrow and one next Tuesday. He has 9 more radiation treatments. I cannot wait to get the treatments over with. He is starting to feel the effects now, loss of appetite and we are battling some nausea. But, he has good days too, so we are hoping he can pull through this and get that appetite back. Last Friday he wanted to go to his favorite sushi restaurant, he ate a TON of sushi (all cooked of course as I am paranoid about his immune system). Then Saturday he came home early from work, the first time since all of this started, but he is starting to look better now. I guess we will see what the next few weeks have in store.
Jeff, Terry, Laura, and Michael...you are all in my thoughts and prayers...WE CAN DO THIS!!
Niki-
The fact that Jeff didn't come home from work early once since this whole thing started is incredibly impressive! I own a few small businesses and I can tell you I show up every day, but I DO NOT work full days as a rule. (Actually, I didn't work that much before this...)I'm usually home by 4pm. I still golf and try and get some small workouts in, but the last week has been a little tough for me. I had nausea and that terrible metallic taste in my mouth. I had a few crash days too, where I came home early and hit the recliner because I was tired, sick, depressed, or all of the above. But I also had some days where I swear I felt better than I did before my diagnosis!
Let's keep up the good work!
Jeff0 -
good luck with the food!hopper52 said:ANOTHER FRESHMAN
Jeff,
Glad to hear things are going well. Looks like we're on about the same track. I finished my last radiation and Chemo on Jul 6th. My PET and CT scan is scheduled for Aug 16th with the surgical consult on Aug 17th at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.
I too remember after the first few radiations it was like "Oh, still 20 to go," but you're right....it pretty much flew by. I experienced (and still am) experiencing loss of weight. Right after the radiation my swallowing got better so nothing is really a problem to eat....it's just that I don't feel like eating....the smell of certain foods make me nausiated and in general, nothing appeals to me. I made a big pan of lasagne which I'm managing to get down maybe one portion a day. Just hoping it's a lingering effect from the chemo and radiation and that it'll start to get better soon. I'm very fatigued but am still managing to work.
So it's back to not waiting for treatments to begin.....it's waiting on the next PET/CT. I hope both of ours come out okay. Good luck to us both and all the other "freshmen".
Michael Daniels (T3N0M0)
Brandon, Florida
Mike-
I hope your eating situation improves. I know you are down about 25 lbs, right? You can't tolerate boost or ensure?
Right now I'm hooked on peanut butter waffles. I can eat them all morning! I throw in a few bananas and I feel like Elvis!
LUNCH NEVER APPEALS TO ME, but my onc said to sit down and eat it anyway. I have been eating things like tuna sandwiches on soft rye bread with macaroni salad, and a gatorade.
I have dinner and eat whatever my wife makes. At night I have ice cream and believe me when I tell you I force it down sometimes....Keep working on it!
Praying for all of our PET/CTs.
Good Luck!
Jeff0 -
Combination PET/CTunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
We were told that the CT scan that is done at the time of the PET is a low resolution scan and it just helps the radiologist identify the organs and other details in the body. The PET scan is done with a radiolabelled glucose and measures uptake by the different cells. Cancer cells take up glucose at a much faster rate than regular cells and so "light-up" the scan. That's why it's so important to lie still after being injected - movement distorts the results because muscles would use the glucose.
The CT scan that is done at a separate time is a much higher resolution scan and gives different information than the PET. It is more structural and uses a contrasting agent. We were told that it's too much dye to do both tests in the same day. It makes sense to me.
Laura0 -
Good Luck Jeff. You have a
Good Luck Jeff. You have a wonderful spirit. Stay positive and stay hydrated. Our problems occured a week after chemo/radiation. Keep drinking water and eat as much as you can. My husband completed his chemo/xrt and is now awaiting his MIE at Pittsburgh (same as William Marshall). He just had his combo cat/pet, awaiting results and surgery is on Friday. Keep the Faith and put this behind you.0 -
What kind of problems?sammy123 said:Good Luck Jeff. You have a
Good Luck Jeff. You have a wonderful spirit. Stay positive and stay hydrated. Our problems occured a week after chemo/radiation. Keep drinking water and eat as much as you can. My husband completed his chemo/xrt and is now awaiting his MIE at Pittsburgh (same as William Marshall). He just had his combo cat/pet, awaiting results and surgery is on Friday. Keep the Faith and put this behind you.
Sammy-
Thanks for the reply. Today was my first full day post chemotherapy/rad and I must admit that I don't feel that great. Can you tell me what kinds of problems you experienced during that week? I am eating and staying hydrated but I have a great deal of fatigue and occasional light nausea. Rad doc said I should feel better in a week or so...
Good luck with your surgery! I'm praying for you, your husband, and all of us.0 -
Combination PET/CTLaura23 said:Combination PET/CT
We were told that the CT scan that is done at the time of the PET is a low resolution scan and it just helps the radiologist identify the organs and other details in the body. The PET scan is done with a radiolabelled glucose and measures uptake by the different cells. Cancer cells take up glucose at a much faster rate than regular cells and so "light-up" the scan. That's why it's so important to lie still after being injected - movement distorts the results because muscles would use the glucose.
The CT scan that is done at a separate time is a much higher resolution scan and gives different information than the PET. It is more structural and uses a contrasting agent. We were told that it's too much dye to do both tests in the same day. It makes sense to me.
Laura
When I had my PET and CT they were together in one session. In my case a biopsy from an EGD identified the cancer and they got me in for the PET/CT quickly to get moving. I was surprised that you were told that it was too much dye.0 -
Nauseajthomas233 said:What kind of problems?
Sammy-
Thanks for the reply. Today was my first full day post chemotherapy/rad and I must admit that I don't feel that great. Can you tell me what kinds of problems you experienced during that week? I am eating and staying hydrated but I have a great deal of fatigue and occasional light nausea. Rad doc said I should feel better in a week or so...
Good luck with your surgery! I'm praying for you, your husband, and all of us.
Just wanted to mention that we spoke with our Medical Oncologist today about my Jeff's nausea. He has been on compozene and zofran for the last 5 weeks, he had a rough time the first week so our doc said just keep taking them, don't stop. So he takes compozene in the morning and then four hours later zofran, and so on through out the day. This past weekend he had nausea he couldn't shake so the docs just prescribed lorazepam (also called ativan). He will take that if the nausea gets so bad that he has to leave work or in the evenings, since you can't drive on this stuff. They said you can take it with the zofran. Haven't had to use it yet, but just wanted to let you know there are other nausea meds if the one you are using isn't working. Also stay hydrated like Sammy said!!
Hope you feel better soon!0 -
As was explained to myjthomas233 said:What kind of problems?
Sammy-
Thanks for the reply. Today was my first full day post chemotherapy/rad and I must admit that I don't feel that great. Can you tell me what kinds of problems you experienced during that week? I am eating and staying hydrated but I have a great deal of fatigue and occasional light nausea. Rad doc said I should feel better in a week or so...
Good luck with your surgery! I'm praying for you, your husband, and all of us.
As was explained to my husband, the chemo is still working for several weeks after the infusion ends. Although my husband kept most of his hair, this is when it started thinning. I think that is why they wait a bit to do the surgery: to allow the chemo to keep on working and to regain strength. Then a PET scan to see if it has been effective. As I recall, he began to feel somewhat better each week he got away from the chemo/rad. Due to his throat issues, he was fed only by jtube. He actually liked the routine. He didn't have to stop to eat all day long. Freed him up to get into things. Then, he'd come in; hook up; watch TV and/or read; get ready for bed; and be fed throughout the night. He began to gain weight. So, you should keep getting stronger. Glad you are doing so well.0 -
Sounds like you are on thejthomas233 said:What kind of problems?
Sammy-
Thanks for the reply. Today was my first full day post chemotherapy/rad and I must admit that I don't feel that great. Can you tell me what kinds of problems you experienced during that week? I am eating and staying hydrated but I have a great deal of fatigue and occasional light nausea. Rad doc said I should feel better in a week or so...
Good luck with your surgery! I'm praying for you, your husband, and all of us.
Sounds like you are on the right path. I am so proud of you and your positivity. It is contagious. My husbands appetite declined rapidly about a week after completed therapies, wished we had placed a J-tube in for the "just in case" mode. Most patients will get one for surgery anyway (or at least they should def. have one placed) and it is re-assuring to have it just in case your appetite becomes labile. You will know if you need one. We also saw a physical therapist for esophageal stretches. My husband was super active prior to dx. We both walk 6 miles a day and he does the nordic track. We are from New Jersey but travelled to Pittsburgh for Dr. Luketich. This University setting is nothing short of amazing and all out professionalism. We are ahead of you so I will post frequently for you. God Bless.0
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