3 Weeks Post Treatment

Today marks my 3rd week post treatment. Things are progressing well. I credit both my intial good health and this site to my overall successes in handling my treatments. All 3 of my docs (ENT surgeon, radiology oncologist and medical oncologist) are amazed at how well I came through the treatments considering the total of 7 target zones zapped over a 7 week period. I lost very little weight and had very few sores. Mucous was my only real issue.

Anyway, the last week of treatments followed by the first two weeks post treatment were the absolute worst. The mucous caused major difficulty in swallowing during the last week. I had to have assistance with the chemo staff to maintain my hydration as I battled to take in liquid calories. That week is when I lost the only weight during the entire treatment regimen. But all in all, I was able to push through and maintain my weight without a tube (started 175 and finished 172). Also since I could work remotely, I was able to work full days from home during this time.  I have started back full days at the office this past week.

Difficulty in swallowing due to the mucous continued post treatment for about the first 10 - 14 days and has steadily improved.  The mucous is starting to break some at this point.

I have been able to eat some solid meals the last few days.  I focus on one meal a day whereby I try to do solids.  All other calories are still liquid as I do not want to try an push things at this point. The great news is that it appears that I have lost nothing in the way of tastes. Beef tastes like beef, potatoes like potatoes, corn like corn ...... an so on.  I feel like a am truly one of the lucky ones with regards to this. I am just ready for the mucous to totally break so that I can swallow food easier than it takes to do so now.

Again, I think recovery is going well at this point. And as I have said many times, a lot of the advice given on this site I took to heart. Many of the suggestions I followed and am convinced that these helped me conquer this horrific treatment regimen.  So, I thank each of you have continued to post to this site as it is truly a way to make it to the end.

Freddie