SCC what to expect when I am 5 months post Radiation

Expectations
Well, it is really like you said, everyone is different....

But more than likely;

Swallowing: Highly probable that you will have difficulty for 7+ weeks starting around week 3-4 and lasting 4+ weeks after rads are finished. For myself with no PEG, I took numbing solutions (liquid hydrocodon and or the lydocaine type solutions). Drank a glass of water, a few Ensure Plus, ate a few sliced peaches in light syrup (helps slide down), more water and a crushed percocet in a little water. I did this several times a day for about 7 - 8 weeks.

Energy: More than likely during the above mentioned period, your energy level is going to be low. For two reasons, one you aren't taking in much calories and the other your body is working hard on repairing itself from the rads damage.

Pain: For me it was manageable and in reality I only had pain when swallowing (drinking or eating). The rest was uncomfortable and dry, but not really painful.

That's my experience anyways....

Best.
John

RayTodd said:

many thanks John
Sounds like we are alike.All things being equal I will take Bali by storm LOL
Terema kahsi banyak (Indonesian ) Thank you very much

How long, oh Lord? How long?
Forgive the reposting but this is appropriate here as well as in the Energy and Recovery thread.

I hope that DennisK7BV doesn't mind but I am sort of reposting his post from the other day on a BOT thread. His blog is really good and not unlike any of ours but he says in there that his doctors told him that he would spend a day recovering for every day he spent getting treated.

That sounds about right. Seven weeks down, seven weeks up for many people. I was lucky, more treatment (nine weeks not counting the tonsillectomy before and the neck dissection after) and less recovery but not by much. I was working and traveling overseas the month after treatment ended but it was nothing like normal. I was sick, tired, weak, befuddled, etc. and I was considered in good shape!

The other day when I saw him for a check-up our rad onc reminded us that the HNC treatment is the worst, far worse in comparison to other cancer treatments (which shall remain nameless so as not to cause arguments). Congratulations to us all for getting it through it. Doug

DennisK7BV
Posts: 1
Joined: Aug 2011

August 13, 2011 - 12:32am
My experience...hope it helps

I kept a blog through my entire base of the tongue throat cancer experience. I hope it might offer some help for you with your many many questions.

http://k7bvcancer.blogspot.com/

My best wishes,
Dennis