Dad's 1st chemo yesterday, rad begins wednesday

Christine Gabrielle said:

No Peg Tube

Cherie,

So happy that you are feeling a little more positive, it's the best gift we can give our loved ones.  It shows we have strength, strength that they can lean on when they  need to.  Cherie, you are much younger than myself but I can tell you that once you get to the other side of this you will look in the mirror and see a much stronger woman than the one that stands there today. 

No Alan did not want a PEG so he is going without one.  He has currently stopped eating normal food, however....I did get a scrambled eat down him earlier today.  He drinks Ensure Plus.  Remember Ensure Plus has an extra 100 calories in it,so it's worth the extra you pay for it.  We start week 5 of 6 weeks tomorrow and so far as long as it is in liquid form he can swallow it.  Interestingly enough sometimes liquid can be too thin and so we add something called "Thicken Up" to it so it's easier to swallow.  If you have an email or an iphone I would be happy to send you pictures of some of the things that have been so helpful. Here is my work email, you can use so your information can be kept private  clambert @nelsonhr.com.  I'm a Regional Recruiter in the San Francisco Bay area.  If you email me I will respond and send all my contact information in case you ever need anyone to just chat with.  Sometimes it feels good to chat with someone that understands what you're going through.

Honestly the most helpful medication we got was the "magic mouthwash WITH lidocaine".  It numbs his mouth for 2 hours when he has sores, but he hasn't had any lately.  The first 'magic mouthwash" did not have the lidocaine and it wasn't helpful at all.  Also..."Silver Sulfadiazine"  has worked fabulously for his neck.  We started with Aqua Phor, but it was too greasy.  Phrannie said it would be but since the Dr. said to use it we did.  However the Chemo Doctor suggested this and Alan does not have any dry skin or flaking from the radiation.

Hope this up coming week is kind to you.  Stay strong and positive!

Christine

 

Christine,

Thank you for the info!  It is very helpful when I get advice to pass on to dad like this.  I was not sure I got your email correct, but mine is CherieLWillard@gmail.com  just so I know I'm right!  Thank you!  And again, is the stuff you use to thinken foods called thick it?  If so, I may be somewhat familiar with this as I had to use it working in the medical field. 

And I'm trying to stay positive thanks!  Best wishes to you and Alan!

TracyLynn72 said:

His first week

is done! YAY!! Hope your dad is feeling good. 

 

I hope you're doing ok this week, too. 

Yes!  Trust me Tracy I'm counting down!  Still thinking of you and praying for you too!  Hope you are doing better than your last post from yesterday.  Hope you really think about everyones input.  Stay strong sweetie....wishing you the best!

CherieLW said:

Thanks sunshine!  What is a

Thanks sunshine!  What is a neck dissection?  I have read that several times on here and it sounds scary...

Thought I would throw in a little update for any newbies who were feeling as lost as I was or just for anyone in general who has been keeping my dad in your prayers. 

Yesterday he completed his 2nd chemo (one left!) and he has 20 rad treatments (out of 35) to go.  Counting down has helped.  Dad has lost about 14 lbs due to lack of eating I"m sure...Was so glad that yesterday his docs were able to tell him how important it is to eat.  So he is working on that which makes me one very very happy daughter.  It's hard to stay positive when you don't know 100% what to expect.  Trying to think of today and get through it one day at a time.  He is still staying somewhat active.  Just Sunday he was out cutting down a tree with my uncle.  He is taking care of himself from what I can tell.  Of course, a lot of you on here have given great advice so I thank you all.  You are what is helping me get through.  I gave him a whole list of foods everyone suggested and it took him 2 hours to eat 1 packet of cream of wheat on Sunday. But I don't care if it took 2 hours, I'm just glad he got it down. 

For everyone about to go through this, whether it's a loved one or yourself, please remember how important it is to take care of you during and after treatments.  Caretakers will always be there, but they can't do it for you! For all of you that have offered your support tome and my family I am truly grateful.  It's not easy, but I am more confident than ever that dad will pull through this just fine.  He may have to deal with these side effects, but its temporary.  Staying positive!

Cherie

sin9775 said:

Our Loved Ones

Hi Cherie,  We haven't touched base in a while.  My brother had his second chemo treatment on Monday.  He originally told me that he only needed 30 rads, but turns out that he also needs.  He too is still doing well.  No side-effects so far from the chemo.  He has lost 20 lbs and is still mowing the lawn.  He had a bad couple of days last week with throat pain and was taking liquids through the peg, but his throat rebounded a bit the last couple of days.  A nice surprise.  He has one sore in his mouth.  Has your dad gotten any yet?  God willing, our loved ones will continue on a easier than expected path, but there's a long, long way to go!  Take care.  Stay positive.  Let your dad know I'm praying for him.

~Shawn~

Hi Shawn!

I know, I've been thinking of you and praying for your brother as well.  Glad that your brother is still trying to do things to stay busy.  It hink that helps keep their minds busy too!  Dad has  not gotten any mouth sores that I'm aware of but he did get a mouthwash he has been using with lidocaine, keeping up on wearing flouride trays and everything else docs tell him far as I can tell.  Hope that your brother's mouth is getting better.  If he finds somethng that works to help those sores it will give him a little relief. I'll continue praying for  your brother as well! I defintely hope that they get an easier path through this!

P.S. You cut out after talking about the 30 rads, what else did your brother also need?  Or did I just read that wrong? Sorry!

Staying positive and hoping that you are too!

Cherie

sin9775 said:

Oops

I don't know how that happened -- I meant to say that he also needs 35 rads.  He had his 18th today. Thanks for your prayers.

~S~

That's ok, I thought you were going to say that...just making sure! Continued prayers... He's going to make it through it ok!