Halfway There!

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Chicklette
Chicklette Member Posts: 225
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello Everyone,

Just an update ... tomorrow will be rad #18 for my husband.  That is officially halfway to the bell! :). He had his 4th chemo yesterday.  Three more of those to go.  He is doing remarkably well so far.  He amazed his rad team today because he gained almost a pound since last week's appointment.  I know there is still a long way to go, but we are taking every day as it comes and so far it's been pretty good.  He is losing his taste especially for sugar.  So far saliva is ok, but he is starting to get mucousitis.  He is also losing his hair in patches at the base of his skull in the radiation path.  He picked up magic mouthwash, but has not needed to use it, yet.  We just wanted to have it on hand for when / if it becomes necessary.  The biggest complication he has had is wicked constipation after chemo.  This week, they cut way back on the anti nausea meds to see if that helps.  Of course, that's a double edged sword because he threw up this morning.  But, he felt fine for the rest of the day.

Thank you for the continued support.  Before we know it he will be ringing that bell!

~Chicklette~

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  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #2
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    Awesome

    FYI, there is an IV form of medication for the constipation. I used it for the last month of treatment as needed. It worked fairly well and wasn't violent like so many can be. I will try to find the name tomorrow at the Radiation oncologist appointment. Keep up the good work! 

  • soonermom
    soonermom Member Posts: 155
    #3
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    Hang in there

    I hope you continue to have a smooth path.  It is smart to be prepared for what you think might be coming.  Sometimes we waited until he had symptoms and because of that he probably endured more misery than he should have.  We ended up having a consult with a GI about the constipation issues.  Best move ever.  He was much more skilled at dealing with the problem than the oncology team.  

  • MMDowns
    MMDowns Member Posts: 318
    edited June 2017 #4
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    How wonderful! The 1/2 way

    How wonderful! The 1/2 way point is such a milestone! It's sounds like your hubby is doing well. That's awesome. Terry had constipation as well and they told us to try senoket. That seemed to work well for him. His oncologist also told him that prune juice works well too.  Hopefully he can get that going again :) HUGS to you!!

  • Andy13460
    Andy13460 Member Posts: 115
    #5
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    About the same 18 rads today

    18 out  of 35 radiations  compleTed today. 2 of my  3 Cisplatin  chemotherapy  sessions completed.  About the same for side effects. Using baking soda, salt  mouth wash and Diflam. Same problem with constipation using Senocot & Molaxole  for that. Pain  medication is Solpadol 500mg / 30mg Codeine. Dexamethasone for 3 days  after  chemo, Maxolon 10mg 3 times a day  for  7 days and Pantoprazole Teva Pharma 40mg 1 a day  for 4 days. Hair loss very slight rubbing on pillow. Still running  4 miles every day and doing light weights.

  • Chicklette
    Chicklette Member Posts: 225
    #6
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    Andy13460 said:

    About the same 18 rads today

    18 out  of 35 radiations  compleTed today. 2 of my  3 Cisplatin  chemotherapy  sessions completed.  About the same for side effects. Using baking soda, salt  mouth wash and Diflam. Same problem with constipation using Senocot & Molaxole  for that. Pain  medication is Solpadol 500mg / 30mg Codeine. Dexamethasone for 3 days  after  chemo, Maxolon 10mg 3 times a day  for  7 days and Pantoprazole Teva Pharma 40mg 1 a day  for 4 days. Hair loss very slight rubbing on pillow. Still running  4 miles every day and doing light weights.

    Hair loss

    my husband just sent me a photo ... hair loss is much more noticeable now.  I told him to go to the barber and complai. LOL :)

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #7
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    Before you know it.........

    Chicklette,

    Before you know it he will be ringing that bell, before you know it he will be feeling a little bit better, before you know it he will be eating real food, before you know it he will be in his new normal, before you know it this will all be in the past.

    Matt

  • Chicklette
    Chicklette Member Posts: 225
    #8
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    :)

    Thanks everyone :). Today he shaved his head completely bald!  The radiation was giving him a really weird haircut so he just went for it.  It actually looks kind of sexy ;-)

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