seems like sliding backwards

jim and i
jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Jim is 6 weeks out and all of a sudden is sliding backwards. Sore throat has returned with a vengence, much worse than 4 weeks out. Lossing weight again and extreme tiredness. He was walking to mail box and taking trash out; Able to stay up all day and actually read a book in a week. Yesterday he slept all afternoon (didn't even wake up when I ran the vacumn with his bedroom door open). He is back to walking very slowly (turtle slow) and unable to stay awake through an hour long TV show. He is very discouraged. Has this happened to anyone?

Please continue to pray for my mother. She is back in hospital with lung infection. Doc says the nodule in her lung is causing problem but she is still refusing the biopsy. The nodule has not grown in two years but he would still like to biopsy.

Thanks for listening and for your prayers.

Debbie

Comments

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #2
    My Jim
    My Jim did much the same thing, Debbie. He powered through the chemo and radiation and did well compared to others: then, about a month later, his weight started dropping quickly, he was lethargic and exhausted. He took a lot of pain medication at that time which added to the fatigue. Although he still has significant pain from the radiation and the pain medication makes him tired, his weight is back up and his energy level seems much better.

    Prayers lifted for your mom. If she isn't going to let them do anything with the results of the biopsy, I agree with her - why have the biopsy? I know this must be very difficult for you, though.

    Hugs.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi Debbie
    Don’t get too worried he is only 6 weeks out and his body is still throwing off all the effects of the treatment, kind of de-toxin as they call it. Check him for dehydration and have the doctor check his Thyroid the next time you him.

    Keeping you both in Prayer
    Hondo
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #4
    Hondo said:

    Hi Debbie
    Don’t get too worried he is only 6 weeks out and his body is still throwing off all the effects of the treatment, kind of de-toxin as they call it. Check him for dehydration and have the doctor check his Thyroid the next time you him.

    Keeping you both in Prayer
    Hondo

    Agree with Hondo
    it's just too soon to be worried about energy levels as the body is still reeling from the onslaught of cancer, radiation, and chemo and whatever else. Concentrate on hydration and nutrition and medication management. Just let him have the TV remote until the six month mark.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    ratface said:

    Agree with Hondo
    it's just too soon to be worried about energy levels as the body is still reeling from the onslaught of cancer, radiation, and chemo and whatever else. Concentrate on hydration and nutrition and medication management. Just let him have the TV remote until the six month mark.

    Dang Dogs...Two Steps Forward, One Step Back....
    Everytime I'm looking for the remote, there's a 60# chocolate lab laying on it....

    Two steps forward, one step bback...slip sliding away, kinda simple like a slow jig of sorts.

    First six months plus is a learning experience....

    Two steps forward, one step back....

    You feel good, over extend, then pay the price for a few days...

    JG
  • KristynRuth
    KristynRuth Member Posts: 21
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Dang Dogs...Two Steps Forward, One Step Back....
    Everytime I'm looking for the remote, there's a 60# chocolate lab laying on it....

    Two steps forward, one step bback...slip sliding away, kinda simple like a slow jig of sorts.

    First six months plus is a learning experience....

    Two steps forward, one step back....

    You feel good, over extend, then pay the price for a few days...

    JG

    Same here!
    I totally remember thinking to myself "what in the world!!" I would be progressing and doing better, but then all of a sudden I would take a few steps back, like Skiffin said. I think it must be normal, I don't know about y'all but the same even happened to my taste buds! I remember I would finally enjoy something one week then a few weeks later I'd be like YUCK! So I guess it just takes the body some time to come to it's full "normal" stage. Tell your husband to take his time and just get as much rest as his body is telling him he needs. No rush!! I wish the best for your husband and your mother.
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #7
    Thanks everyone
    Your response helped me; now I have to concince Jim this is normal.

    Just found out my mother has added problem of cyst on pancreas. If infected, major surgery. If not, antibiotics will cure. She is 80 so surgery is a risk. She has to be on antibiotics for two weeks before they will know for sure. Please pray not infected and give us all patience during wait.

    Blessings to all.

    Debbie
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    jim and i said:

    Thanks everyone
    Your response helped me; now I have to concince Jim this is normal.

    Just found out my mother has added problem of cyst on pancreas. If infected, major surgery. If not, antibiotics will cure. She is 80 so surgery is a risk. She has to be on antibiotics for two weeks before they will know for sure. Please pray not infected and give us all patience during wait.

    Blessings to all.

    Debbie

    Mom
    Sorry to hear this about your mother but be asured will keep her in prayer.

    PS: If Jim needs have him give me a call I will PM you my contact info

    Hondo
  • nwasen
    nwasen Member Posts: 235 Member
    #9
    sliding backwards
    Please tell Jim that I had the same feeling. I did well during treatment but once I got home I felt terrible and that bone weary feeling....I thought it would never go away.
    I learned to pay close attention to my body. When it said "Go lie down" I did so and I mean right away. I had 5 weeks off work and once I started back I worked only 6 hours a day for about 6 weeks. I could not wait to get home and collapse.....
    But....after time, that did dissipate. It is hard to be patient after what we have been thru. We just want to be normal. I sure have learned on here that we have a new normal.
    A day at a time and just be happy for each thing you can do each day is how I had to do.
    It DOES get better!
    Nancy

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