End of week three and another side effect has popped up. Last week the doctor's made me a happy camper by controlling the night coughs and allowing me to sleep. Pure bliss. Up until now the questions have been "Are you short of breath?" "Does it hurt to swallow?" Now they're phrased "Are you short of breath, yet?" or "Does it hurt to swallow, yet?" Now you know I'm a few fries short of a happy meal, but I picked up on that , so I asked when is this going to happen. Right about now was the answer and they were right again. Haven't experienced the shortness of breath (YET) but the raw throat is here big time from the radiation treatments.
I now have a new cocktail to be taken prior to meals consisting of Benedryl, Lidocaine and Maalox to numb everything up...and it's pink and it makes everything taste like...it's pink. This will last for the duration of the radiation treatments, which may have to be put on hold if the throat gets too bad, something we don't want to happen.
To top it off, Joann lost her voice last night and cannot talk above a whisper today. Yep, one step forward, two steps back...
Have a good weekend everybody and again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers
Ken
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ken, Have you and Wally M. corresponded about this? if you haven't already, maybe you should contact him....I know he did radiation and if I remember correctly he did "infusions" too...different than yours of course, but being his radiation was in the neck area, he had some of the throat and swallowing side effects....just a suggestion...
ReplyDeleteJoann, hope you feel better soon.
Prayers, prayers and more prayers to both of you. ld
No Lorraine,I haven't. I was told this was coming and that there were ways to control it. I'll be seeing the radiologist next Tuesday so hopefully this pink concoction is a temporary fix.
ReplyDeleteBoy, we're sorry to hear that you're having these issues. Just remember, you're halfway through and you can do anything for 3.5 more weeks. Eat what you can, when you can because you do not want to lose any weight. Milkshakes, Ensure, Boost...anything that will go down your throat without too much pain. Remember we're just a phone call away! Joann, keep up the whiskey, tea and honey cocktail!! Love to you both~
ReplyDeleteR & D
keep the positive thoughts going Uncle Kenny! thank you for doing this blog...even if you feel 2 steps back, think of all of us reading these posts- hopinh and praying for you and Aunt Joann. love you, Jenny
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the raw throat Ken. I hope the "pink" stuff they gave you helps alleviate it. We are all praying for you everyday. Keep up the good spirits!
ReplyDeleteHey Cuz -
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately you are at the point where you're not sure which is worse, the disease or the cure. Although this is so hard, hang in there - know that it's only this bad because the darn stuff is working and that cancer is getting smaller and smaller. Do what you need to do to get through this - it won't go on forever, just 3 more weeks and the rewards at the end will be worth it! We think about you all the time - keep the faith, stay strong and we'll keep praying!
Love,
Marianne
It will be worth it Uncle Kenny! Only a few more weeks to go! Love you and praying for you everyday<3
ReplyDeleteAbby
Ken- Sorry to hear your throat is sore.....i cant even imagine. Put your food thru a blender and get the nutrition you need to replenish the cells. Happy thanksgiving as we all have a lot to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteCindy