Love, hope, joy are powerful healers.
My second radiation treatment was a bit easier than the first. Again, the xanax medication helped relax me. Today’s session was also shorter than yesterday, 15 minutes at the most.
The clinic was backed up, so the wait was longer than the treatment. Oh well, another opportunity to learn “patience.”
I’m feeling good. At a full meal this evening and still gaining some weight.
Not much else to report.
If you read yesterday’s blog, you know that I had an anxiety attack when they placed the mask on me. As a result, I did not receive my radiation treatment. Today I came prepared – I took my xanax medication to keep me calm. Mary also accompanied me to the treatment room to help be get relaxed.
Although it was not with out some anxious moments, I was able to “survive” the mask bolted to the treatment table. They said today is the longest day because they take x-rays and mark the mask and other steps to ensure that the radiation is aimed at the right locations. So about 35 minutes later, they removed the mask and I was finished. Yeah, I did it.
Hopefully it will get more “comfortable” as time goes on. But I’m just glad that I make it through my first radiation treatment today!
Today is the first day of “Phase 2” of my treatment regimen – chemo once a week and radiation 5 days a week for seven weeks.
Mary had a class today, so my sister, Ann, who is visiting from N.J. accompanied me on my trip to Vanderbilt today. First was an appointment with the speech therapist for evaluation of my swallowing and speech, and advice about dealing with the typical side effects of radiation. Lots of exercises to do to keep my throat, tongue, mouth, jaw working as well as possible. Plus recommendations for dealing with the potential side effects – dry mouth, sore throat, mouth sores, difficulty eating, weight loss (the big no-no). With all the exercises and prophylactic treatment (such as mouth rinse every 2 hours, eating 6 small meals a day, etc.) I will be busy all day long.
Then off to the lab for more blood work. The lab was busier today than I’ve seen it so far. Therefore, things were backed-up and we got to practice being “patient.”
Next stop, the chemo infusion suite. We started about an hour late because the lab results were late in arriving. Only one chemo drug during this phase, and a smaller dose. However, it’s once a week as I said above. Hopefully, the side effects will be minimal.
I’m receiving radiation treatments at the Vanderbilt Clinic in Franklin, which is south of home and a much easier commute. So we rushed from Vanderbilt downtown back to the house to drop off Ann and then on to the clinic in Franklin. A short wait and I was in the treatment room. In order to keep my head perfectly still, I have a mask that covers my entire head and shoulders. Well, my claustrophobia kicked in big time and my anxiety level went through the roof. The staff was real patient and tried to get me to relax – think of being at the beach listening to the waves, etc. After the initial panic attack, they tried again with the same result. So no radiation today.
Instead, a consultation with the doctor on duty. After talking through a few options, we decided to cut out eye hole and prescribed a medication to relax me. Then come back tomorrow and try it again. I felt like I had “whimped-out” but the staff assured me that I was not the only one with a similar experience.
After dinner, Mary helped with a hypnotherapy session to help relax me tomorrow. It felt good lying on the beach with the mask on to protect me from the sun and sand.
That was the end of an exciting day!
Today is the last day using Perley, my nickname for the portable IV pump that’s been delivering chemo drugs for the past 96 hours. Actually, this is the third time that Perley has delivered four days of chemo during the past two months. Thank you Perley, and good day! Nothing personal, but I hope to never need you again 😉
Quite fatigued today so I slept a lot. Not like me to just lounge around, but when you don’t have the energy there’s not much choice. I’m trying to learn to be patient and just relax. Working on it!
Now the recovery period begins for this third round of induction chemo, which will complete my first phase of treatment. Phase two – radiation treatments will begin in two or three weeks.
Our son, Joe, celebrates another birthday today! Happy Birthday, Joe! I hope you, Tiffany, and the “kids” have a great time today. We will have another “party” when I’m feeling better 🙂
It’s been a sleepy day today. Not much energy to do anything except lay around and watch television. Mary and I did see a couple of very good, old movies on Turner Classic Movies channel – “Midway” and “The Best Years of Our Lives.”
A bit of dry mouth today, and my tongue is getting a white coating. I believe they call that thrush. Fortunately, there’s a pill for that!
One more night of sleeping in my recliner with my IV pump, Perley. I’m looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep on Sunday night.