TEN More Treatments Scheduled

As of yesterday, I had just TEN radiation treatments left on the schedule.
My Daughter and the Grandkids are sending me "countdown" photos
each day. These photos have the kids posed with "today's" number.
It's so cute! Although they don't have a total grasp of what's
going on, "MR. J" does realize that Grandpa is sick and has to
take medicine everyday and the numbers represent how many more
time I have to take it. Both of the grandkids look great in this
photo and I look forward to receiving a new one each day.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Another Day . . .

Met with my Radiation Oncologist today. He's says that I'm actually doing better than I think I am. I hope so, 'cause I've been feeling pretty lousy lately.
Treatments continue, each day. Have been eating a bit more and drinking a bit more.
Bride (the NURSE) says that as long as I pee at least every 8 hours she won't get too worried about dehydration. Doc says I should quit loosing weight (hard to do when ya don't eat).

Ruff weekend.......

Had a pretty lousy weekend (should have know that would happen). Couldn't eat, drink or be merry! {{Glenn, the Capt. Morgan sounds good but will have to wait about a month}}.
If I take my narcotic pain relief I go to sleep and if I take the other one it deadens my esophagus and it feels like the food hangs in my throat.
Today I actually ate a chicken (UGH) sandwich plus some more chicken!! Drinking water is not an option that I like (see earlier posts) but it's better than becoming dehydrated.
The way my Bride has it figured I should be through with radiation and, possibly, chemo on December 9th. Keep your fingers and toes crossed. I am, especially, ready to get out from under the radiation treatments. After the chemo my taste buds might get back some of their function too.
I wish everyone a wonderful week!!!!!

The Blog is Back!!

OK, so I lied a little bit. I couldn't stand not making all of you suffer by reading my trash, so here goes.....

If there is one thing that I have learned through all of this is CHEMO will, more than likely, make one constipated. Radiation treatment in the area of esophagus will diffidently cause one's esophagus to hurt.
The constipation is relieved by taking frequent (twice daily) doses of Sennocot and another preparation know as "stool softener". DON'T LEAVE YET, IT GETS BETTER !!!!
The esophageal pain is relieved in several ways.....the first attempt was with hydrocodone with acetaminophen. This succeeded in putting me to sleep when taken at the recommended dosage. Cutting back on the dose didn't help at all. No pain relief.
My wonderful, wonderful Bride put on her thinking cap and came up with a suggestion that we floated by the radiation oncologist yesterday. He said that he used this particular ingredient in a mixture to help with the pain (why didn't he give it to me the first time I asked?). This stuff is good!! Xylocaine, Malox (Cherry flavored) and benedryl. Numbs almost everything from the lips down. We left the pharmacy and went to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner (I had not eaten anything to speak of in about 3 days). I ate the almost the whole meal!!! Who would have thunk??
Today I ate most of three meals. I had been on a weight loss trip, almost 30 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks. My Bride is amazing!!!! I can eat, drink and be merry again.
Depression is no fun either......don't let it happen to you. I was getting or had gotten that way. Pain, even minor, that is constant, will lead you in that direction.

OK, I'm back on my soap box. Get ready to put up with my rants and raves. I think I have found my second wind.

Things end, eventually....

This will probably be my last entry, at least for a long while.
It appears that I am not reaching one of those who I really need
to contact. Not that they aren't aware of what's going on, just
trying to ignore it.
My love and thanks to all who have contributed your comments here
and via email.
Life goes on and on and things aren't what we always want them to
be but we do have to play with the hand we are dealt.

Older Daughter had a question.....

She wanted to know if I still talked to the Doctor after the Nurse on Friday....

Here's my reply:

Nope, after Miss High and Mighty finished her little speech, on what was going on and why, I was really way too "PISSED" (pardon the crudeness) to talk to anyone. I just have come to EXPECT and DEMAND customer service/patient care at an acceptable level and this HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING at this particular practice. The major problem is that they are the ONLY radiation oncology practice in my town.

Sometimes you just have to take what you get, even though it is hard to accept.

The bright spot in my treatment regimen is my MEDICAL ONCOLOGY practice. Those are TRULY GREAT medical practitioners. I am not certain you can find any group more caring and professional, anywhere.

Some nurses SUCK (no Dear, not you).......

Yesterday while I was at radiation the tech asked how I was doing. I mentioned my discomfort when swallowing. She suggested that I see the Doc after my treatment. I was agreeable with that, I wanted some relief.
After my treatment I was directed to the desk at the end of the hallway to see the Doc.
I was met by a nurse who seemed to know a great deal about my difficulty and proceeded to tell me all the things that I should and should not do. What I should and should not eat, and on and on and on. When she finished she asked, "Do you still want to see the Doctor? He will just tell you the same things that I just did."
This is not exactly what I had been told to expect by my radiation oncologist. He had assured me that he could keep me "comfortable" during this radiation treatment.
Guess I misjudged him and the practice. Sometimes you just have to ask yourself if you have made wise choices and this one of those times when I am beginning to have my doubts about the practice I chose to have my radiation treatment.