Still hanging in there...

Laralyn
Laralyn Member Posts: 532
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I thought I'd post an update, since I'm still having some struggles but I'm hanging in there as best I can.

Some things have gotten better: my neck skin is almost completely healed, and the mucus is definitely slowing down. Other things are about the same: I'm still struggling to keep food down (through the tube) and fighting nausea. I've been seeing the doctor a couple times a week and also going in for IV hydration a couple times a week because they want to make sure I don't get dehydrated.

The doctors and I think gastroparesis is the main problem. Basically it means my stomach digests very, very slowly right now. They think it's caused by the narcotic pain relievers, which I can't stop taking until the pain in my throat starts to diminish. So it's kind of a catch 22 right now. They have me on some medication that helps a little, but I still fight nausea every time I eat and a good part of the rest of the day as well. Between that and the low amount of food, my energy level is also pretty low.

I'm losing a ton of weight very quickly, but the doctors aren't worried about the weight loss, which is good. They're treating the gastroparesis with Reglan, and my radiation oncologist said he wanted me to go the weekend with just the Reglan to see how that works. They have several back-up plans if it doesn't work. He's keeping in constant touch with the medical oncologist (who also treated me when I was in the hospital).

I keep telling myself that it's really just a matter of time. Eventually, the pain will die down and I can start lowering the amount of narcotics I'm taking, which will hopefully in turn reduce the gastroparesis. It's hard to wake up some days and face the nausea again, so I'm hoping for a break before too long.

I hope everyone else on the treatment bus is doing well. :-)

Comments

  • ooo
    ooo Member Posts: 105
    #2
    Laralyn,
    you got it tougher
    Laralyn,

    you got it tougher than many of us. What makes me happy is that you're a smart girl and you always seem to have the situation under control. During the hard times, please do know that your fellow survivors out there are thinking of you.

    Dre.
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    Dre is right on....
    I was thinking of you all week, knowing that things are still rough or we'd hear from you...honey, I'm SO sorry you are having such a tough time...way tougher than the rest of us on this particular bus. I hope that the Reglan does the trick for you...being in nausiated state 24 hours a day would be hell...I wouldn't want to wake up for it either!!

    Just know that we think of you everyday, and are sending prayers and positive thoughts, that you start healing...we miss your wise insights.

    p
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #4
    you are correct
    pain will subside, and with it, the need for narcotics will also subside. Frustrating, but as you said, time WILL pass, and you will come out the other side ofnthis problem. Hang in there.
  • ditto1
    ditto1 Member Posts: 660
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    you are correct
    pain will subside, and with it, the need for narcotics will also subside. Frustrating, but as you said, time WILL pass, and you will come out the other side ofnthis problem. Hang in there.

    Praying for you
    from the Dittos, I start RADS on Tuesday so cannot offer knowledge just prayers. But we are glad to see your post and know you will get thru this. You are special and we all know it, just the fact you share with us how you are doing when its been very tough. Hang in there and God Bless you.
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #6
    ditto1 said:

    Praying for you
    from the Dittos, I start RADS on Tuesday so cannot offer knowledge just prayers. But we are glad to see your post and know you will get thru this. You are special and we all know it, just the fact you share with us how you are doing when its been very tough. Hang in there and God Bless you.

    bad, bad bus ride
    Wow, Laralynn,

    I think you got the worst seat on the bus. You got ALL of the bad side effects and some new ones on top of those...you can stop being an overachiever !

    But you are a strong gal. You can do this.
    I hope you will get thru this phase quickly and the gastro issues let up.

    thanks for posting an update.
  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #7
    It will get better
    Hi Laralyn,

    Sorry the bus seems to be stopping at all the wrong places. It sounds like you and the doctors have a line on your problems. Hopefully, you’ll get back on track, soon.

    Try to rest and do what you can; we are all here for you.

    Matt
  • Sam999
    Sam999 Member Posts: 319 Member
    #8
    CivilMatt said:

    It will get better
    Hi Laralyn,

    Sorry the bus seems to be stopping at all the wrong places. It sounds like you and the doctors have a line on your problems. Hopefully, you’ll get back on track, soon.

    Try to rest and do what you can; we are all here for you.

    Matt

    Hi Laralyn,
    Sorry to hear
    Hi Laralyn,

    Sorry to hear about all the unwanted bus stops, hope it stops doing that and gain speed soon. You are handling it pretty well. As we all keep saying this shall also pass.

    Just over the week end, i met another1 year survivor who had so many chemo complications and drug reactions that she was in hospital 2months! One year has paased by and she looked great. She made a special trip to meet me, meeting her gave me so much courage.

    Sam

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