Tomorrow is ten days of treatment

My throat started getting sore the weekend after my 10th treatment. By then food was so horrible I went to all smoothies, with a scope of whey for protein. On a scale of 1-10 for pain I was a 3 and it was doable with tylenol. Into my 3rd week the pain ramped up to a 7-8 and they prescribed liquid oxy every 4 hours, which knocks it down to a 3. My energy levels are like a roller coaster throughout the day. I generally feel worst at the end of the day and first thing in the morning. I have a great company that is letting me work from home as much or as little as am able. For me working even a little bit gives mee a sense of normalcy. I start short term disability next week until after labor day but plan on working whenever I'm up to it.

I'm more of a lurker than a contributer here, but it's reassuring to hear the tales of others who have gone before me.

Godspeed Charmit!

Charmit said:

Can I ask if your getting

Can I ask if your getting radiation to the entire neck or just one side? I’m getting just the left side five mins each day. I tried a smoothie today and it was gross, we shall see how the weeks to come play out. I’m anxious as to how I will feel each day but blessed I have another day to feel whether it be good or bad. Just wish in a blink of an eye this ordeal would be over, wishful thinking on parts by me and many others I’m sure.

Charmit,

The treatment your going through is no fun, but it can be survived (I’m living proof, as are many others). Eating will be increasing difficult, if you begin to have difficulty eating please consider a PEG. Stupidly I did everything possible to avoid it, and in the end became so weak (couldn’t eat or drink much) I had to be hospitalized and get a PEG anyway. The PEG helped in my recovery as well, and within 3 weeks post surgery it was removed. Just push through it and life will improve! Best of luck.

And I still can't taste much almost 6 months later. I can eat about anything but dry stuff but since it has no taste every meal is a challenge but we know that's the price we pay for our, hopefull cure.You are getting there Charlene, hang in there.

I remember the anxiety you had before you started. An look at you, already knocked 10 visits off the calendar. Congradulation, it will be over before you know it. You will be ringing the bell or gong for finishing your Rads before you know it. Safe to say your food choices are going to dwindle down quickly over the next few weeks. Just keep plugging away and stay hydrated. Gobble any proteins you can when you can. You Got This.

Charmit said:

Week five how lucky!! Well is

Week five how lucky!! Well is there’s any luck in any of this I guess there is. I’m just the left side 35 times for 5 mins each day and end of week two I feel a difference. But I guess have to find my path and comfort as to what to eat, right now most taste like crap. Was thinking of finding a doc to prescribe medical majuana I heard it help with a lot of the issues, willing to try anything so I don’t need a feeding tube. 

You're getting there! I know it may seem to you like you have forever to go before treatment is over but week by week is the best way to look at things. I just always looked forward to the weekends! 

As for taste, yep you are right on target. Everything to me tasted like crisco and paste and my mouth started to get super sore and raw feeling. Throat was scratchy too. I had my whole neck done so perhaps I might have been a bit ahead of you. Anyway, I couldn't really do smoothies, just couldn't do it. I tried so hard as everyone suggested them. My husband made me a lot of rootbeer floats which had somewhat of a taste to me. I ended up getting the peg and then ate mostly that way but still used my throat to swallow small sips all throughout the day. I went for IV hydration 3 times a week and those sweet nurses knew what I liked so they always sent down for vanilla ice cream and rootbeer and a cup so I could have that while being loaded wth fluids. Maybe some of these things will work for you.