SIDE EFFECTS AFTER CHEMO/RADIATION

My son in law has esophageal cancer.  He underwent chemo and radiation and is now trying to regain enough strength to have his surgery.  He stopped his treatments more than three weeks ago but is still having severe pain.  He hasn't been able to swallow anything even water for more than a month.  He is using a j tube for nutrition and hydration.  He continues to have severe pain in his chest, abdomen and throat.  He is living on pain medication and without it he is in agony. 

Is this normal?  Anyone else experience this?  I appreciate any suggestions or help. 

 Thanks so much~

hi Helene,

i am so sorry your son inlaw is going through this.

i underwent advanced chemo and radiation last year at this.  i finished my last radiation treatment on june 19th, one year ago and it was tough!  the last week of my radiation, i was ready to quit and be done with it.  the 2 weeks to follow were pretty bad as well.  after that, things got better little by little.  there were times i thought i would lose my mind over it and there were days where i just could not eat or drink anything at all without pain. the pain meds that gave me didn't work..and they were strong!  however, the only thing they did for me was put me to sleep so i stopped taking them soon after i started.  i would take teaspoons of manuka honey...that seemed help a little...not much, but it was better than nothing.  my surgery was scheduled for early september as i needed to build myself up for it.  when my time for surgery came around i had managed to put on a few pounds and was feeling good. 

i wish your son inlaw the best of luck and hope he is feeling better real soon.  tell him to hang in there...it does get better!  keep us posted!

God bless!

-Stacey

Hi Helene,

My husband had EC surgery first, followed by chemo with no radiation.  I don't know if it's "normal" but his chemo ran from the middle of April 2008 until the first week in July and he was back in the hospital each treatment with severe mouth sores and pain.   He did not have a j tube because he didn't want one and lost a lot of weight.   However, this year is different, he's gain over 20 lbs.back and his appetite has been increasing this last month.  He's also going through some nerve block treatments to block the nerves that have been causing pain in this ribs caused by the EC surgery and has been able to ween himself off of the hydrochodones that he used to take to a lesser pain medicine which he takes less frequenty.

Hang in there!  It will get better.  Last year my husband's daughter walked into his hospital room to wish him a Happy Father's Day and walked out telling her husband "that's not my father."  My husband didn't let on that he heard but called her back in the room.  When I think of what we went through last year, I thank God for giving us both the strength.

Maria

Thanks Stacey.  Glad to hear the honey helped you a bit.   I'm sure its been a difficult time for you.  I will keep you in my prayers and wish you well.

 Helene