Hi Everyone,
I finished radiation, 33 treatments on Dec. 12 and chemo 2 weeks ago. I never thought I would make it, but it is over!!!!! I am in a lot of pain though it seems the last week unleashed a whole new world of hurt. I can't even talk the burning is so intense and I can't get it under control with pain meds because I am so sensitive to getting nausea and vomiting. But I shouldn't complain I just got to look forward. The peg tube did save me, I haven't eaten a thing by mouth for weeks and I actually gained 10 well-needed pounds. I am very sore from using the tube so much, but I always feel hungry and dehydrated. I can't wait to feel better and to all of those people starting therapy just know you can do it, keep reminding yourself that the side effects are much less worse than the reason you are getting the treatment. I would repeat to myself before getting radiation "Let's go annihilate some cancer!" God Bless!

Hi Pamela,

Congratulations on finishing your treatment. Fortunately for me I did not have Chemo and only seven sessions of RT because of tissue damage.

I'm sure though your post will help all who are receiving treatment at the moment and are feeling that the treatment is worse than the C.

It's great when someone posts when they have finished treatment. Like you say, you can get through it, although at the time it doesn't seem like it.

Well done to you.
SusieR

Congratulations! Pamela.
You have been to battle and now have to nurse your wounds. Don't you have medication for nausea and vomiting? You shouldn't have to suffer with that or pain. Have you told your drs how you are feeling? It was always stressed to us by both the r/t team and also the chemo girls that Trevor should tell them about any issues he had so they could keep adjusting medication until all was sorted.
Please don't suffer needlessly. The whole cancer treatment journey is struggle enough, give yourself a break.
Onwards and upwards. Be kind to yourself at all times.
Love from Down Under
Deborah

Howdy Pamela,
Fantastic now you have finished the R/T & Chemo you can start planning ahead, I must inform you though and I don't want to be hurtfull BUT there are some hard times ahead and you may be an exception but there will be a fair amount of pain UNLESS you get on top of it (as Deb said)and approach the R/T team and see their Doctor and ask for stronger pain relief, they started me on Panadiene Soluble as I was having to take everything down my Tube(PEG)after awhile they put me onto Oxycodone Syrup 5mils 4/day (Oxycodone is a controlled drug and they had to goverment approval to give it to me), This afterawhile was still not controlling the pain so they supplied me with 12mg Fentanyl Patches and upped the Oxycodone to 10mils 4/day this did work for awhile but the pain level increased dramaticly until I was in tears for a good part of the day (Iam a sook)after seeing the Doc again they increased the patches to 25mgs and that settle the pain down BUT I was sleeping about 20 out of 24 hours a day, so I nstarted to experimet with my relief and stopped taking the Oxycodone unless I was in extreme pain and change the Panadeine to Panadol Soluble 2tablets 4/day and this meant I would not be sleeping so much(I still would fall asleep at the drop of a hat). After about 2 months I stopped putting the patches on and just had Panadol Soluble and I was drinking these instead of putting it in my tube, taking them lasted a few more weeks when I stopped taking any pain relief.
So it really isn't that long but it is better to be told the truth than listen to what some people say "oh! you'll be OK it will be OK in 2 to 3 weeks", I had a fantastic R/T and Chemo Team but they neglected to tell me what was going to happen after the treatment.
Hang in there Pam and "Stay Strong".
Love TREV

Hi Pamela,
Unfortunately it does get worse before it gets better... but bare with it as things will improve before you realise it. Small steps.
I also had a cancer mantra through treatment.
Try not to get too frustrated with yourself now!
Take care,
Michelle

You're a cheeky little devil, Chelle!
What's the occasion?
Deborah

God i am slow Deb it took me ages to work out what you meant. Nice picture Chelle lol.

A good friend of mine used this rule of thumb

one months recovery for every week of Tx so dont be too impatient Pamela

love liz

Hi! Cookey & Pamela,
I have to agree with you Cookey it's been about 17 weeks since I completed my treatments and I started Eating 2 weeks ago so Pamela you'll be back to your old self soonish and you have to remember the cause and think about all the things you will be able to do later, I am experimenting with different foods every day some are fine and some not. I find that Soda Water is good with food as it is cleansing and doesn't leave a film on your teeth, it's just that Brandy doesn't go well with Soda Water so some things have to be accepted that do leave a film on your teeth .
Cookey Love your photos, read yuh later.
Love TREV

Dear Pamela,
Its indeed must be a great feeling now that all the radiation and chemo are done and over with. The pain too will vanish and soon it will seem as if it was a dream. Do take care of yourself at this stage. If you still feeding though the peg - you are okay - however if you have started eating orally - try and keep the food as soft as possible or there are chances of a fistula coming around. Though it heals it is cumbersome and irritating.
Do keep posting - it will be great to hear your progress.
Lots of love,
Ananth

That was my Halloween picture
My hair's growing so quickly!

Thanks guys I will heed your advice. I have such a problem with pain meds because of the nausea/vomiting factor that I can't get it under control, the anti-emetics don't help me, at least the 3 that I have used. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow so I'll try to get on track. Thanks Again.

Pamela,
i vommited all day every day for 3 months straight and getting control of it was one of the hrdest parts. It took a weeks stay in hospital to break the cycle with anti emetics on a syringe driver & being switched to a pump for over night feeding.
But i got there!
My ulcers and sores couldn't heal til we got that sorted!

You're right about your hair, Chelle. Seems like no time since you were worrying over getting it cut. Has it grown back straight or have you done that? Looks terrific.
Deborah

Hey Debs,
I'm straightening it myself at the mo. Cuz its sooooooo curly that i have a bit of an afro where its so short! Quite funky but ummm... too crazy to work with! Hehe
When its a bit longer the curl will relax under the weight of it and i can go natural and put the straighteners away!

Well a change is as good as a holiday, so they say Chelle and it looks great.