Treatment Day 16

Best day yet!  My friend Annette and I went out to eat dinner at a Sushi place (which you know I love).  The ran a few errands and went back to my house.  I realized (since Annette is my Wine Drinking Friend) that I can actually drink Wine!  That's the only Alcohol that I have found my throat can tolerate.  So my last 2 1/2 weeks might not be that bad; if only I can just stay drunk for that long....

On another topic, my voice is really bad and almost gone.  Hopefully it will last through the weekend.

Treatment Day 15

I AM HALF WAY DONE!

Just wanted to give you all a quick update.  My treatments are half over and I am so excited about that.  I am still having trouble with solid food, but continue to eat. I actually was able to eat pizza last night, which I was really surprised I could.  My latest side effect is my voice is really hoarse so I am expecting to lose it before too long.  I really can't complain though, I think things could be much worst than they are at the moment.

Treatment Day 12

Well my post on Monday was pretty bleak and I wanted to give an update.  When I went in on Monday for my treatment I asked for some meds to deal with the pain in my throat.  The doctor on duty did write me a script for a liquid pain killer.  This has actually help, it does still hurt to swallow just not as bad.  Monday and Tuesday all I had was liquid to eat.  Today I stopped at McDonalds and got a Big Mac value meal.  Which did hurt to eat, but I was able to get it down.

My psoriasis has really acted up, I look like a leopard with all my spots.  It has even spread to my ears!  Luckily I have an appointment with my Dermatologist on Friday and hopefully he will be able to help.

Here is another shot of me in my mask, the center x is just so they can line me up correctly.

Treatment Day 10

It was a very long weekend for me, the treatments are starting to really catch up with me.  I have the worst sore throat that you could imagine.  Eating solid foods is impossible at this point.  On Friday morning I had some toast for breakfast and it was like eating razor blades.  It hurts to even swallow at this point, and I never realized how many times you swallow during the day.  I have a noticeable red mark on my neck.

My Mom and Grandmother were nice enough to go out and get me a "Magic Bullet" food processor so I can chop up everything I eat.

I'm grateful that I only have 19 treatments left and that my disability insurance was approved today.  That's it for now.

Treatment Day 8

Here is another photo of my treatment, the machine in the back is what radiates me.  It does the right side of my neck first then rotates over to my left side and repeats the process.  Each side takes about 30 seconds.  

What you can't see it that I am holding ropes attached to a board at my feet.  That helps me pull down my shoulders so that I fit in the mask properly.

Today, after the radiation, I met with the Nutritionist for the first time.  We went over the kind of foods I should be eating and what to do when my taste starts to change.  Which I am already experiencing.  The Nutritionist also told me what would taste bad, which was red meat, coffee and chocolate.   But, I was also told to marinate meat in Beer or Wine to pull out the taste.  That made me happy!

Treatment Day 6

Here is a look at my mask that is used for my treatment. The X on my neck is where the cancer is at and the area that gets the Radiation.

I saw the Doctor today and was weighted in.  I have lost two pounds, but they didn't let me hold on to my two phones today like I was the first time I was weighted so I don't think I really have lost any weight.

I was also given two medications, one for sleep and the other so I can swallow when I eat.  I didn't think I needed the second medication until I came home and had a bite to eat.  

I have more photos I will add to later post.

Treatment Day 5

It's been a few days since I posted and wanted to give you all an update.  It was actually nice to have two days off from the radiation for the weekend.  I was able to make it out to hang with friends and went to a wedding, then watched the Colts Game at a friends house yesterday.

As far a my side effects much hasn't changed, I'm still getting tired easily. I'm take at least two naps a day, the first one usually right after treatment.  My neck is starting to look like it's sunburned, they did give me a wound cream to start using on Friday.  My mouth is dry most of the day and my throat is starting to feel a little sore.  But honestly none of this is really that bad at the moment, just annoying.

I did make the mistake of watching the special "Stand Up to Cancer" on Friday night by myself at home.  That wasn't the most up lifting thing to watch by yourself when you are going thru treatment.  But it is a really good cause if you didn't see it.  I downloaded the single off itunes and most of the profits from that are going to research.

I'm going to take my camera in tomorrow and see if they will take a photo or two for me.

That's about it for now.

Treatment Day 2

So I am trying to find the humor in this situation and today while I was getting treatment it dawned on me what it reminded me of.  Some sort of Medieval Torture Device with the mask on, strapped to the table... lol  It was hard to stay still while the treatment was going on because I wanted to bust out laughing. 

I really wanted to send out a big thank you today to all of you who have reached out to me already!  Thank you so much, you really have no idea how much a simple call or email means to me at the moment.

No real change in my physical condition, I am tired again today but thats about it.

Treatment Day 1

So I had my first treatment today and I have to say it wasn't as bad as I had built it up to be in my mind.  I was there for over an hour, because they had to do all the setup today.  The Techs made sure that I was positioned correctly and they were radiating the area that needed it.  My Doctor came in briefly to give his approval, other than that I didn't see him today.

I have to say the worst part of the process was the waiting area.  When I went the first time I was in the main waiting room and didn't realize that there were two waiting rooms.  Needless to say I was put in the second waiting area today.  The thing that freaked me out about this was that this is where everyone who is going through treatment sits.  So I got to see people who are in the middle of the process and how their bodies were reacting.  I by the way was the youngest person in the waiting room.

As far as the treatment, I really didn't feel anything at all.  I am on a table in a big room by myself with my mask on.  I think I will take a camera one day and have them take a photo if they allow it so you can see what it looks like.  When the treatment starts there is a very loud buzz/hum and it only last about 30 seconds.  Then they reposition the machine and repeat the process on the other side.

I was tried today and ended up coming home an taking about a 3 hour nap.  Then I have had a splitting headache all day, but that started before I went in.  I think the headache is just from the stress of the situation.   My other lovely stress side effect is my psoriasis has come back on pretty strong and I really can't take my Humira shot while I am going through radiation.

I will post again later in the week...