SCC what to expect when I am 5 months post Radiation

RayTodd
RayTodd Member Posts: 187
edited August 2011 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Trying to work out what state I am going to be in after 35 -40 days of radiation the 3d type as I am going to Bali in April come hell or high water.

E.G.
Swallowing
Energy (mountain biking tour,White water rafting wimp level LOL scuba diving.)
Pain etc
my health pro's are obviously keeping the information on the light side. I know everyone is different.I just want an idea my family seems to think on past experience I have great healing so they are full of confidence.

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Expectations
    Well, it is really like you said, everyone is different....

    But more than likely;

    Swallowing: Highly probable that you will have difficulty for 7+ weeks starting around week 3-4 and lasting 4+ weeks after rads are finished. For myself with no PEG, I took numbing solutions (liquid hydrocodon and or the lydocaine type solutions). Drank a glass of water, a few Ensure Plus, ate a few sliced peaches in light syrup (helps slide down), more water and a crushed percocet in a little water. I did this several times a day for about 7 - 8 weeks.

    Energy: More than likely during the above mentioned period, your energy level is going to be low. For two reasons, one you aren't taking in much calories and the other your body is working hard on repairing itself from the rads damage.

    Pain: For me it was manageable and in reality I only had pain when swallowing (drinking or eating). The rest was uncomfortable and dry, but not really painful.

    That's my experience anyways....

    Best.
    John
  • RayTodd
    RayTodd Member Posts: 187
    Skiffin16 said:

    Expectations
    Well, it is really like you said, everyone is different....

    But more than likely;

    Swallowing: Highly probable that you will have difficulty for 7+ weeks starting around week 3-4 and lasting 4+ weeks after rads are finished. For myself with no PEG, I took numbing solutions (liquid hydrocodon and or the lydocaine type solutions). Drank a glass of water, a few Ensure Plus, ate a few sliced peaches in light syrup (helps slide down), more water and a crushed percocet in a little water. I did this several times a day for about 7 - 8 weeks.

    Energy: More than likely during the above mentioned period, your energy level is going to be low. For two reasons, one you aren't taking in much calories and the other your body is working hard on repairing itself from the rads damage.

    Pain: For me it was manageable and in reality I only had pain when swallowing (drinking or eating). The rest was uncomfortable and dry, but not really painful.

    That's my experience anyways....

    Best.
    John

    many thanks John
    Sounds like we are alike.All things being equal I will take Bali by storm LOL
    Terema kahsi banyak (Indonesian ) Thank you very much
  • Goalie
    Goalie Member Posts: 184
    RayTodd said:

    many thanks John
    Sounds like we are alike.All things being equal I will take Bali by storm LOL
    Terema kahsi banyak (Indonesian ) Thank you very much

    How long, oh Lord? How long?
    Forgive the reposting but this is appropriate here as well as in the Energy and Recovery thread.

    I hope that DennisK7BV doesn't mind but I am sort of reposting his post from the other day on a BOT thread. His blog is really good and not unlike any of ours but he says in there that his doctors told him that he would spend a day recovering for every day he spent getting treated.

    That sounds about right. Seven weeks down, seven weeks up for many people. I was lucky, more treatment (nine weeks not counting the tonsillectomy before and the neck dissection after) and less recovery but not by much. I was working and traveling overseas the month after treatment ended but it was nothing like normal. I was sick, tired, weak, befuddled, etc. and I was considered in good shape!

    The other day when I saw him for a check-up our rad onc reminded us that the HNC treatment is the worst, far worse in comparison to other cancer treatments (which shall remain nameless so as not to cause arguments). Congratulations to us all for getting it through it. Doug

    DennisK7BV
    Posts: 1
    Joined: Aug 2011

    August 13, 2011 - 12:32am
    My experience...hope it helps

    I kept a blog through my entire base of the tongue throat cancer experience. I hope it might offer some help for you with your many many questions.

    http://k7bvcancer.blogspot.com/

    My best wishes,
    Dennis
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Expectations
    Well, it is really like you said, everyone is different....

    But more than likely;

    Swallowing: Highly probable that you will have difficulty for 7+ weeks starting around week 3-4 and lasting 4+ weeks after rads are finished. For myself with no PEG, I took numbing solutions (liquid hydrocodon and or the lydocaine type solutions). Drank a glass of water, a few Ensure Plus, ate a few sliced peaches in light syrup (helps slide down), more water and a crushed percocet in a little water. I did this several times a day for about 7 - 8 weeks.

    Energy: More than likely during the above mentioned period, your energy level is going to be low. For two reasons, one you aren't taking in much calories and the other your body is working hard on repairing itself from the rads damage.

    Pain: For me it was manageable and in reality I only had pain when swallowing (drinking or eating). The rest was uncomfortable and dry, but not really painful.

    That's my experience anyways....

    Best.
    John

    Hi Ray
    It will not be so good at first, but you will make it. Energy and Pain about like what John is saying. The good part to it all is that we will be here to help you through the journey and all the way to the finish line.

    Hondo