Thank all of you for your messages. My husband and I don't like surprises and you all are a wealth of info. When we get through this situation we will continue to try to "pay it forward" and support other "newbies"!!!
Butterflydance--I agree honesty is best--We got our children together yesterday and they know what is going on. The girls are very different. My oldest asked a lot of questions and my youngest, 16, didn't say much--at all. She has a tendency to internalize her stress. We'll keep a watchful eye on her. My oldest returned to college this morning, but she will be back home the first of May for the summer.
Tom--our oncologist doesn't use Erbitux--I don't know why because I haven't talked to her directly since you mentioned it, but the nurse was familiar with it. I'll ask. The plan is for him to receive Cisplatin, Doxitaxal, 5-FU--to start Monday.
~meesha---I can tell you must be artistic with the way you type your name--I have an appreciation for the creative...I'm very happy that your boyfriend is on the downhill slide of his radiation treatments. I am assuming they are daily??? Wouldn't this be #4 or so if they are daily?
Mike---CONGRATULATIONS! Clean CT, PET and biopsies---WHOO HOOO! I can not wait to be six months out and be able to celebrate too!The oncology nurse has already volunteered that Larry will be given Emend and Aloxi for nausea when the need arises. He is already on Ativan which Larry is using as an anti-anxiety drug, but I've read people have good luck with it as an anti-nausea drug too. Of those who used Ativan--what was or is your daily milligram use?? Larry is taking one milligram ever 8 hours.
Babzilla--sounds like our husbands are fairly close to start times in this mess...I am with you on everything is overwhelming, but we don't do surprises!! I am searching the web daily. I have also got some health care professional friends who are doing some investigation concerning IMRT versus Tomographt Hi-Art radiation. We don't have Hi-Art in Georgia. Our radiation oncologist recommended going with IMRT unless Larry has distant mets. Then she offered to do the invstigation of who and where would be a good choice. We would consider moving out of state for the 6 weeks of radiation for the "new and improved" if necessary. Anyone know the bottom line---is it worth the difference??? i worry about him being too sick and isolated from friends if we move.
Joe--I like the use of "corrective mode". I hope you are right that this is the worse part as far a the fear factor. You have a new lease on life and it sounds like you are embracing your "new normal". Thanks for responding also--you are two years plus out and still paying it forward by staying in cotact with us newbies!
You guys are invaluable--hang with me--WE need it!!!!
DeniseB