23 down ... 10 to go!

Hey guys!  Sharing my current status.

This morning was # 23 with 10 rads remaining. Could not recieve # 5 of 6 on Cisplatin infusion yesterday because my platelets were too low. All other labs were ok, just platelets were low. The knew another dose of Cisplatin would cause them to dip even lower and did not want to risk the potential to "bleed out" if I were cut or anything. To me this was a blessing as Cisplatin infusion is aweful and I do not have to replace, just get to skip one.

I think getting 7 beams of radiation from various angles is taking its toll now. Neck is very red and burning at this point for the entire 360 degrees around the neck. Using plenty of lotion to keep it moist. No blistering at this point, so hopefully, redness will be the worst of that. I guess being from the South, I am supposed to be a redneck anyway (a little humor for all you North of the Mason/Dixon line).

Swallowing is becoming more of a challenge. Not the functionn itself, just the increased pain. Again, I am getting blasts from 7 angles covering back to front and everything in between. Pain is deep in throat so tough to swish Magic Mouthwash that deep but do my best to let it slowly enter the throat after swishing. It is mainly with "dry" swallows as not as painful when drinking liquids. The pain is there but not as noticeable as with "dry" swallows.  Using pain meds much like I had to after my surgery. Same type sores/lesions that came with surgery are reappearing so I had already been down this road before. As others have guided me, the various swishes have been great in helping with these setbacks when pain meds wear off but still too early for next dose.  SO THANKS TO ALL OF YOUR POSTS FOR THE MANY TIPS PROVIDED!!

Also, voice is practically gone now. Down to a whisper at best. Have been maintaining virtually a full work schedule and unfortunately, that involves a lot of conversations throughout the day.  I just think the radiation and me not cutting those conversations back have caused me to lose my voice.

Have been on all liquid diet for about a week now as mucous prohibits most foods from making it down without some type of gag reflex. Not worth that fight, so I have settled on liquids for all caloric intake. Still able to achieve 2,000 - 3,000 calories per day even with the increased pain. No peg tube, so this fight with pain is not an option for me. I have to continue to take in calories regardless of pain level.

I am just ready for one restful night's sleep.  I do not think I have had one of those since April 1 when my tonsil and lymph tumors started to show their sizes in my throat. Now it is just pain and sores. So looking for these treatments to end so I can look forward to sleep again.

Enough bad stuff .... The good news is only 2 weeks (10) rads and 1 chemo left so the real healing can begin. Just ready to discover my new normal and get there as quickly as possible.

Again, just wanted to provide you guys with an update and allow any newbies to ask questions if needed.  I so much appreciated the other comments on this site, especially with Steven sharing his journey with me and the other newbies.  And all the veterans of HNC, without your responses, I am not sure I would have been as prepared as I was for this. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

Freddie