almost 3 months out

brigboo67 said:

Mom
My mom is 6 weeks out from rads. My sister and I are concerned because she is eating very little and is so thin. Somedays she has no desire to get out of bed. She still throws up alot. Her post rad petscan is Aug 29th. We lost my dad to his cancer during my mom's treatment. I just don't know what to do for my mom...she said she has no desire to eat or get out of bed. My sister and I have talked to her doctors and they all say "she has been through alot with her own cancer and losing her husband". My sister and I know this but we feel there has to be something that can be done. They have her on zoloft and ativan. I am hoping Monday brings good news and it will help her mental state.

Greend said:

As stated so well here by those who have marched before you:

1. End of treatment doesn't grant you and automatic "feel good pass" other than the one for not having to listen to that machine, wear that mask, drive to the doctor's office or inject the poison. Many of you are still cooking and yet disappointed that you aren't feeling better...that is not logical.

2. You must take care of yourself and not over-do. Drink fluids and when you feel the beginning of fatigue then STOP and rest. Be aware of this and watch for being tired. It is a part of healing. This is easy to say but hard to do. You want so badly to be normal again that you push yourselves too hard and then have a set-back

3. There is no magic "Wow I'm well and I feel great" number of days you have to suffer before feeling better. Some will be better in weeks and others in months.

4. Focus on the positives. As stated above, Enjoy the Yay moments.

5. You are going to have mucus problems and the crap will stick in the back of your throat. There is nothing you can do about that but there are things to make it less intrusive.

It took months to destroy your body (and the cancer cells) so give yourself a break and allow yourself the time to heal. You and your caretakers have been through a very rough time, one that defeats many people so be proud you won but also be patient. Laugh at the mess your body is in, it will get better and it keeps you from crying.


O'k Hondo, Sweet and Skiffen I'm off my soapbox.

KDDavis said:

Last Friday, Aug 19th,
Last Friday, Aug 19th, marked my 12 weeks since my last rad treatment. My ENT told me that I should begin to see rapid improvements beginning around week 12. Another person I know who happens to be a cardiologist that had the same type of cancer I have (hopefully had by now!!) (tonsil cancer) told me that he was feeling his worst at week 8. Perhaps you will soon begin to see some improvement. I am seeing improvement but I still have pain in my throat. It seems to move around. Best wishes for better days ahead!