relief

greg from pa
greg from pa Member Posts: 86
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
well I knew it was coming.... I have been in chemo and rad treatment for BOT primary w/lymph mets for a little under 3 weeks.I was told to expect some adverse side effects.well friday it started with what felt like a lump in my throat.That became what felt like trying to swallow shrapnel every time I drank or ate. I has 20 mg liquid oxycodone to get me thru the weekend.I showed up at the York cancer center for my regular treatment on monday and they were ready for me!The nutrionist had a case of Jevity for me and helped w the peg.My Rn and doctor were fantastic.I was put on round the clock fentanyl patch which is managing the pain quite well.She also persribed magic mouthwash which makes it possible to swallow pudding ect.they also gave me a Caphosol rinse which I have not tried yet.I am fourtanate to have such a great team in my corner. The pont I am making is that the anticipation of these side effects scared the hell out of me and I dreaded thier onset. But in reality this is quite managable with the help of some truly dedicated people. So if anyone else is early in treatment and going through anxiety of things to come know this. the fear of the future might be worse than the reality of actually going throuhg it. Greg

Comments

  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #2
    Anticipatory Anxiety
    Greg,
    Well said, and an important post. The anticipation of what is to come is often times worse than the reality. If there is one huge lesson cancer gives us, it is don't waste a single day. Make the best of each one. I am not one who practices denial as a general rule, but looking too far into the future OR imagining all the things that COULD be is not useful or helpful when it comes to getting through cancer and its treatments.
    Mondays have always been Mark's big treatment days. We are in the hospital for 8 hours. We look at it as a time to be together...a date, in a way. I make sure I look nice that day, we play scrabble, backgammon, have lunch, hold hands, and just accept the day. Attitude is HUGE. Anxiety is wasted energy.
    Kim
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
    Kimba1505 said:

    Anticipatory Anxiety
    Greg,
    Well said, and an important post. The anticipation of what is to come is often times worse than the reality. If there is one huge lesson cancer gives us, it is don't waste a single day. Make the best of each one. I am not one who practices denial as a general rule, but looking too far into the future OR imagining all the things that COULD be is not useful or helpful when it comes to getting through cancer and its treatments.
    Mondays have always been Mark's big treatment days. We are in the hospital for 8 hours. We look at it as a time to be together...a date, in a way. I make sure I look nice that day, we play scrabble, backgammon, have lunch, hold hands, and just accept the day. Attitude is HUGE. Anxiety is wasted energy.
    Kim

    Attitude is Huge
    Hmmm, I've heard that before....very good Kim, you have learned your lessons well.

    God Bless,
    John
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #4
    Greg, Happy to hear that your cancer team was well prepared for you side effects and were able to step in as soon as you started to experience them.

    Sounds like you have a great team on your side.

    Many newcomers will appreciate your post as it will give them encouragement as they go through their treatment.

    Stay strong and you will get through this - Glenna
  • micktissue
    micktissue Member Posts: 430
    #5
    Kimba1505 said:

    Anticipatory Anxiety
    Greg,
    Well said, and an important post. The anticipation of what is to come is often times worse than the reality. If there is one huge lesson cancer gives us, it is don't waste a single day. Make the best of each one. I am not one who practices denial as a general rule, but looking too far into the future OR imagining all the things that COULD be is not useful or helpful when it comes to getting through cancer and its treatments.
    Mondays have always been Mark's big treatment days. We are in the hospital for 8 hours. We look at it as a time to be together...a date, in a way. I make sure I look nice that day, we play scrabble, backgammon, have lunch, hold hands, and just accept the day. Attitude is HUGE. Anxiety is wasted energy.
    Kim

    Kim
    Attitude is everything, is what my experience has taught me. My brother, also a cancer survivor, gave me a metaphor that works well for me, and that is focus on looking down, not up. Down as in those people who are worse off than me, rather than up, the people who are doing better than me. When I focus on this, it emphasizes the empathy in me and engages the strength of my character.

    When I think of Mike, or dear Tim, or others here who are suffering so desperately, yet manage to make me smile or share their amazing insights, my battle isn't as intolerable. When I am asked how did I make it through, I remind them of the inspiration of this group and admit that I am standing on the shoulders of giants.

    Best,

    Mick
  • Kimba1505
    Kimba1505 Member Posts: 557
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Attitude is Huge
    Hmmm, I've heard that before....very good Kim, you have learned your lessons well.

    God Bless,
    John

    LOL
    John,
    One cannot help but to learn from those who have gone before AND by traveling this path. It is knowledge that is applicable to life as a whole. Would I rather get this knowledge another way then Mark having cancer. ABSOLUTELY!!!!
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #7
    micktissue said:

    Kim
    Attitude is everything, is what my experience has taught me. My brother, also a cancer survivor, gave me a metaphor that works well for me, and that is focus on looking down, not up. Down as in those people who are worse off than me, rather than up, the people who are doing better than me. When I focus on this, it emphasizes the empathy in me and engages the strength of my character.

    When I think of Mike, or dear Tim, or others here who are suffering so desperately, yet manage to make me smile or share their amazing insights, my battle isn't as intolerable. When I am asked how did I make it through, I remind them of the inspiration of this group and admit that I am standing on the shoulders of giants.

    Best,

    Mick

    Thanks, Mick, Kim and Greg;
    Mick, Kim and Greg; thank you so much for your inspiring words. This post really put things in perspective this morning. I was feeling a bit down today owing to the extreme edema making me feel like a puffy toad, and the Sahara dry mouth limiting my sleep cycles to about an hour's duration. These aren't real problems, these are just bumps in the road and I can get past them. You all remind me of what I have going for me and all the positive outcomes of this treatment process. I am truly fortunate. Once again, thank you all for being here.

    Deb
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    Hi Greg
    Good to hear you are able to take it so well, keep posting and letting us know how you are doing
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #9
    Sorry Things Got "Interesting"
    Glad your team is on top of it. Here's to better living through chemicals. Do well.
  • miccmill
    miccmill Member Posts: 248
    #10
    Pam M said:

    Sorry Things Got "Interesting"
    Glad your team is on top of it. Here's to better living through chemicals. Do well.

    Greg
    glad your team jumped in with an action plan.

    I've seen it make a big difference for Glenn and I sure am grateful they never seem to run out of ideas to make his life easier at this time.

    Best wishes as you keep going forward.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #11
    Greg
    Sounds like things are going very well, indeed, and you've got a great team with you. Keep that Positive going, Greg, with yourself and your team, and your overview mindset on the bottom-line fact: you're gonna survive this. Keep us updated.

    kcass
  • greg from pa
    greg from pa Member Posts: 86
    #12
    TNX to all who commented
    TNX to all who commented .your advice is treasured.

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