Hi Everyone,

My mother is down to 9 days of radiation (Yea!)and is hanging in there best she can. She has good days and bad. She wants to ask you all some questions.

Some problems she is facing are the terrible phlegm that causes her to choke, panic, and be so very sick. Her throat is so dry and sore that she can't spit the stuff out. What can be done?

She hurts terribly in the back and hips from sitting and sleeping. She is too week with nasea to stand and move around much.
Any suggestions?

The back of her neck is beginning to become burnt and red. Lotions perscribed don't help much. Any tips?

She knows that recovery will take awhile but is looking forward to feeling better soon. Thanks everyone. I will pass on your responses.

Kent

Hi. I don't have any really great tips except that when my boyfriend was going through chemo and radiation (and even now) he also had/has excess saliva that makes him choke but luckily he can spit his out so he carries a cup around everywhere. However....in the hospital, and home-health care had this for him as well, they gave him a suction machine like thay have at dentist's office which is attached to a plastic container where all the "gunk" gets transferred to....has she tried that yet? Also...as far as her back and hips hurting...I have gone to chiropractors for years for migraines I have had since childhood (which traditional medicine only made worse). Anyway, not everyone likes them I know but if you find a great one....they can do wonders and often make house-calls. My boyfriend had found going to the chiropractor very helpful while he has been in treatment. Hope something of this helps.

Hello Kent, Welcome to RDOC. First let me say that I am so so so very sorry that your precious Mother has to deal with this horrible disease. We all know though that it doesn't care who it attacks....Now to try to answer some of your questions. With the choking and the phlem, she can ask her doctor for a portable suction machine. I use one and have used it since I was released from the hospital almost 2 years ago.. I still cannot swallow. But I am still here. I am alive....ALways Vicki Lynn s

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vicki Lynn,

Thanks Belle and Vicki Lynn for your suggestions! Everytime I read previous posts here at RDOC, it gives me encouragement. I have read many posts to my Mother and I also helps her greatly. I will let her know about your recommendations.

It's been a few weeks since her chemo. Yesterday she looked better than she has since she started. She was dressed up for the first time since her feeding tub was inserted a week before treatmenst began. Most of the she is in her night gown or pajamas.

She will have her next chemo on Monday. Seven days left of radiation and counting. It will be a hard week coming up, but she is almost there.

How soon do they know if they have beat the cancer?

Hanging in there...
Kent

Kent,

Doug finished his chemo and radiation in July and they just did another biopsy last week which came back inconclusive because chemo and radiation in-themselves create abnormal cells so they want him to come back again in a month. I know that isn't what you want to hear...I know I wanted answers while he was still in treatment. I kept pestering the doctors and nurses asking if the tumour was gone and they always said the same thing, "yes, but it takes months of check-ups,even years, to make sure it doesn't come back"

Hang in there and keep her spirits up. She is lucky to have you!

I understand Belle, Thank you. Recovery will be a long process.

My dad is going for yet another biopsy.. He got one right after the rad/chemo and we believe from reading online it was too soon since the chemo/radio leave abnormal cells.. he did have a Pet scan and something lit up but they dont know if its b.c he has a high CA test sometimes that happens.. I HATE CANCER.. IT HAS MADE IT AN AWFUL 6 MONTHS..

HI eyecandy, DONT PANIC just yet anyway.
The Pet Scan show hot spots.
I have had 8 biopsos since my operation and they play mind games with you but up to know the C has not returned

Paul

so it looks like there is still cancer there but not??