Hi all, just a note to say Yippee!!!!! I completed my final radiation treatment today. I didn't think the day would ever come, but here it is and I'm so so happy!

Lots to overcome from all the side effects, but that's ok. Nothing to do now except look toward a bright future!

I still have to go for more Erbitux treatments for 3 months, but it's only once a week. I can handle that with a big smile on my face. It's a precautionary measure which I'm more than happy to endure!

I'll post again soon, Cricket

Dear Cricket

Allow me to be the first to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

I hope everything continues to go your way!

Julia

Cricket!! What an exciting day for you!!! I still remember (too vividly!) my hubby's last radiaton tx at the end of February..... when he received a grand diploma and yes, his mask has become a decorative piece in our home.... many blessings to you and please continue posting to let us know how you are doing!!!
Nancy

Woo hoo! Go Cricket!

Love Chloex

Nicely done Cricket, onwards and upwards now. It's one of those massive milestones to reach and a relief too isn't it. Conratulations. Hagg.

Crickey first let me say well done.

I would like to know about the taking of erbitux for 3 months after youve finished radiation
I am starting radiation in 2 weeks.
I have had 6 weeks of induction chemo with Erbitux Carboplatin and Taxol
I have handled it very well, week 2 the erbitux rash got bad but the antibiotics cream and pills have kept it down.
I havent read anywhere about someone continuing on chemo or Erbitux for 3 months after radiation
so im wondering the reasons or information about doing it.
My doctors dont help me what so ever they have their method they give you then see you for 10 minutes every month and the 10 minutes is with a nurse practioner not even the doc.
My email is vb53@cox.net
Thank you Victor Brown

Congrats Cricket! Well done!

bob (pembo)

Cricket,

Am so glad it's over for you! Congrats!

I had the feeling of abandonment after my last treatment - it's like we were there every day for 35 zaps, talking to the doc and the techs and feeling cared for, and then it was all over. Next appointment two months later! Don't know what I've had done without this board to get through that period.

Had my three month check last week and there's No Evidence of Disease (NED). I feel cancer-free, which we know is meaningless, but I do feel good. Fatigue has lessened to a great extent, taste buds are nearly back, no mouth issues, and last week I experienced what was my goal - Mexican food! Wow! Can't do it all, but got very very close.

I've enjoyed watching your progess through this and am so happy to see you emerge to the other side. You're another ray of hope to the newcomers wondering how they will be affected by treatment. Good work!

Victor53,

Am so sorry you have to go through all of this with so little help from your docs and care givers. My medical oncologist is a total geek/nerd and so incredibly boring that my rads fatigue nearly makes me sleep when he starts talking... BUT - he's a wealth of knowledge and cares about me.

I had to figure out when to listen and when to filter and I think we're doing OK. I believe he saved my life after a period of mis-diagnosis (or lack of diagnosis) by my Primary Doc. Let me repeat that: I believe he saved my life after a period of mis-diagnosis (or lack of diagnosis) by my Primary Doc. I would not be telling you how great I feel without him.

Sometimes when they're hesitant they're only assessing our situation and formulating what will be best for us. They have to study - it isn't automatic. Maybe they're not as quick as we'd like, but I don't think any of them intentionally wants to harm us. On the other hand (there's always another hand) sometimes we get the doc who finished last in his/her graduating class. How would we know that?

Best of luck to us all.

Mimi

Whoo Hoo !! for you Cricket

I finished my treatments on 7-11-08
with a double treatment on the last day
had to hang around for 6 hours between treatments but it was worth it not to have to go back on Monday

I hope you are starting to feel better by now

The first week after my treatments ended the side effects were actually worse then last week
I started to heal

I've been dreaming of eating a cheeseburger
since my surgery back in April

Hope you are starting to enjoy some food

Congrats cricket, one big hurdle out of the way.

Ian

I am so happy for you. No more of that horrible claustrophobic mask! I don't want to be a bummer or anything, but the month after treatment can sometimes be quite painful. The radiation continues to burn the mouth after the treatment is over. I'm just telling you this because no one told me and I thought something was really wrong. My mouth felt like it was on fire. Of course, things might be different for you. Anyway, best wishes to you.