Treatment week #2 begins

[always quiet]

I think the reality of treatment really hit home yesterday. It's one thing to know WHAT will happen during cancer treatment but when you are actually faced with the situation, you realize the impact it will have on your life. For example, to read in a brochure that "there could be changes in your voice" (DH's cancer is in his throat) but another to hear the voice change. Yesterday, when Dennis got up, he sounded very hoarse and soft spoken, kind of like you do when you are about to lose your voice due to a cold or sore throat. "Fatigue" doesn't look too bad on paper, but when the energy to even take Tazz for a walk isn't there, it hits you....Life as I knew it, at least for the next couple months, is going to be totally different.

I know this will all pass, that these remaining 6 weeks are not the rest of our lives. Things WILL return to normal, voices will return and Tazz will once again take a long walk with his best bud (Dennis is his favorite person in the house! ). The energy level will come back and Dennis will once again be first up in the morning, waking me up and telling me of all the things he wants to do for the day (he is not one to sleep in on weekend mornings! )

Thanks for listening.

 

[Pop Daddy]

I cant imagine how hard this is for both of you

 

[Serena]

You will get through this. You and your hubby continue to be in my prayers.

 

[luckywife]

You have such a positve outlook, that is just wonderful. I hope the next 6 weeks fly by and then your DH will be on the road to recovery. Many prayers for both of you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is how I spent 7 months of my life this year so I understand. It's lousy but a necessary evil. Things do get back to normal when it's over...

For your DH:
Try to drink plenty of water. I wasn't able to but now wish I tried a little harder. It helps the whole picture.

Remember you are a person, not a statistic.

Think of this as a *bump in the road*, not the definition of your whole life.

Seek out others who've been through treatment. Nobody understands like them and you can discuss your deepest fears there. I was lucky I found a great support center (but you don't have to go there - everyone knows someone who's had cancer treatment - talk to them...) I'm available anytime.

I like to think my life has changed for the better because I appreciate what I have more than ever and I've learned to let go of the small stuff.

Keep a positive spin on the whole thing - think of the treatment as life giving and not "poison". Picture yourself in your favorite place as you receive it and how much you are going to enjoy your life when you're done.

Best Wishes and

 

[CRB#33]

You and your family are constantly in my prayers.

 

[always quiet]

Yesterday, when Dennis was feeling pretty low, he hugged me and said he didn't know how he could thank me for all I've done for him. I smiled and said, "I can think of 2 things............Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster!" (he's not too fond of crazy rides )

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You are one smart cookie...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just saw on the news that drummer Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones finished up his 6 weeks of chemotherapy for throat cancer and is now doing well. That should be encouraging to your DH. Charlie looked great (better than the rest of the guys, LOL), I think it said he is four months out.

 

[Disney_1derland]

May the road not be as long as it seems and the healing be immediate.

 

[perdidobay]

 

[Trish5768]

's to you. Continue to keep your chin up! You must be a great source of inspiration for your DH. I second the drinking a lot of water, it will get the chemo out of his system much quicker.

 

[talicskai]

Originally posted by always quiet
Yesterday, when Dennis was feeling pretty low, he hugged me and said he didn't know how he could thank me for all I've done for him. I smiled and said, "I can think of 2 things............Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster!" (he's not too fond of crazy rides )

Great answer! Keep up the humour with him ~ it will increase his positive endorfins! God Bless your family ~ you are in my prayers....

 

[Dan Murphy]

A great attitude is so important, Colleen, and you guys have that. Marie felt it helped her so, and I agree. You, Dennis, have to wish the cancer out, he will be better.

And so true about reading or hearin, and then experiencing. Before treatment, the oncologist told Marie her hair would start to fall on the 14th day after first chemo, be all gone by 17th day. After about 10 days, she was saying maybe it would not happen. On the 14th, it started to come out, 3 days later, all gone. Sobering.

You guys are going to do super, Colleen, and prayers continue.

Dan

 

[always quiet]

Thanks so much for listening to me, guys. It's so nice to know that I have a place to come when I feel down or just need encouragement.

Another new side effect showed up yesterday, Dennis has lost his appetite and food just isn't appealing at all. He ate oatmeal, a yogurt and 2 scrambled eggs all day (that would normally just be breakfast!!) I smiled and told him that he did say he wanted to lose some weight this past summer...............I said "Watch what you wish for, you might just get it!!"

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by always quiet
Thanks so much for listening to me, guys. It's so nice to know that I have a place to come when I feel down or just need encouragement.

Another new side effect showed up yesterday, Dennis has lost his appetite and food just isn't appealing at all. He ate oatmeal, a yogurt and 2 scrambled eggs all day (that would normally just be breakfast!!) I smiled and told him that he did say he wanted to lose some weight this past summer...............I said "Watch what you wish for, you might just get it!!"

Here is my tidbit of info for you:

My MIL just finished up chemo and radiation for breast cancer. She did not tolerate her chemo very well at all. Zero appetite and a hard time keeping anything down. Now, I am not saying this 'will' happen, but it is always best to be prepared. Pick up a few cans of Ensure (or some other type of drink like that) in a few different flavors, and see what your DH likes.

That way if he continues to have no appetite, he can drink these.

I agree--your outlook is pretty great, and just think, you are ALREADY in your second week. (see, how's that for a good spin??)

Best to you and your family!

Debbie

 

[dvcfamily41801]

You are doing great. I have been thinking about you. All of us are here to support you both. Thoughts and prayers for you.

 

[rcyannacci]

Best wishes to you and Dennis.

The radiation affected my voice as well...it eventually came back, but took a while. The more I used my voice, the faster it started sounding normal to me (much to the chagrin of my DH and my students who have to listen to me now )

I also lost a lot of my appitite. The nurses told me to keep eating because it would keep my energy up. They also said that losing weight too fast wasn't optimal because my body would start attacking that "problem" and not concentrating on healing the radiation site. The Ensure shakes are a good idea. Even ice cream- what better of an excuse!

I know it's a tough couple of weeks, but just keep truckin' through day by day and you'll get there.