Radiation is finished and I am grateful. I am grateful for treatment options such as this that help deal with pain relief, etc. I feel much better than I did four weeks ago when I started . . . at least, cancer-wise, I feel better.
Radiation has taken its toll, though. I am exhausted and my throat is riddled with sores, making it extremely difficult to swallow. It's dry, making me cough all the time. Coughing triggers a gag reflex which triggers acid reflux and I've spent more time vomiting this week than I'd like! I thought I was going to make it all day yesterday without getting sick, but at 9:30 p.m, I tossed my cookies (not that I had been eating cookies!).
I also have a metallic taste in my mouth that makes everything taste bad. However, today, I ate part of a turkey bacon sandwich and about a half dozen french fries. I figured I needed to get some fat into me, as well as some proteins. It's been seven hours and I'm still holding strong!
Things should steadily improve over the next two weeks. I will see both the oncologist and neurosurgeon on Monday (the 25th) for blood work and for xrays to get a preliminary look at how my neck is healing.
In the meantime, the kids and I have had a good week with their winter break, while Art's been traveling on business. He's now back and we're looking forward to a family weekend together.