Radiation Treatments

Hi Everyone, just letting you know I'm on my ninth day of radiation, so far I have lost my taste of any food so I will go back to my feeding tube. Have started noticing maybe a little redness on the right side of my neck, feels like my throat has swelled some, when I swallow feels like something is in my throat, a little irritating, I am getting radiation from below my right ear around my neck and throat to below my left ear. Still have 24 more sessions, I know it's going to be hell but you have to do what you have to do and if this is what it takes then that's what we'll have to do. Thanks for listening and pray for all of us.

Ron

Hi. I received a great deal of radiation to my abdomen and pelvis for cervical cancer, and now I have radiation enteritis. I had no idea how invasive and damaging it could be at the time. You will be in my prayers -- hang in there. It really does sound awful, but like you said, you just have to take it a day at a time. Take good care.

Christy

I sincerely hope that you will get through the full course with least amount of side effects and difficulties. I know it is difficult but try to keep a sense of humor and happiness - they will make the treatment more effective.

Hi Ron,
My name is Ray and I went through 41 Radiation treatments and 2 waves of Chemo. I have no taste or smell and my Esophagus is closed tight. My G-Tube has been in since last December and Ensure Plus is my daily meal. Please be careful with Radiation and Chemo if you need it. The minute you cannot swallow, have an Endoscopy to see if your Esophagus can be dilated or a stint put in to keep it open. I complained and only got Magic Mouthwash that did not help and now I'm looking at major surgery. Scar tissue has completely closed my Esophagus and the Doctors are at fault although they never admit to anything. Keep notes, dates and Doctors names you tell anything to because these treatments will destroy good tissue along with bad. The more Radiation they give you while you cannot swallow the less chance you'll ever be able to swallow without an Esophagectomy. I had squamous cell carcinoma, Hypopharynx cancer, similar to Laryngeal. Not being able to swallow because the Doctors would not listen and I trusted them has left me depressed and hungry so take care of yourself and be active in your recovery, cheers, your pal Ray...

Hang in there Ron. My husband had nasopharyngeal cancer - he had 39 radiation treatments as well as chemotheraphy. It was a long haul. He too had a feeding tube and thank God. He used Comply - a prepackaged nutritional drink, which certainly kept him going. Remember to drink lots of water, so that you don't become dehydrated - my husband had to go to hospital three times to be rehydrated. I shall keep you in my prayers.
God bless.

I also used to rub his neck with pure aloe vera to reduce the amount of burning and pain in the area of radiation. It my be useful to start that as soon as possible. Maybe there is something else you can use.
Take care.

On 6/3/2003 Christy S. wrote:

Hi. I received a great deal of radiation to my abdomen and pelvis for cervical cancer, and now I have radiation enteritis. I had no idea how invasive and damaging it could be at the time. You will be in my prayers -- hang in there. It really does sound awful, but like you said, you just have to take it a day at a time. Take good care. Christy