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.