dvdbriansr

Hey there fellow, we are just wondering how your doing. How about checking in and let us know.

Hope your doing ok,

Greg P

Keep on keeping on, dvdbriansr! When are they going to give you a rest and recovery period?

Dvd, I have had radiation on a lymph node that is at the Y in my trachea that impacted the trachea and the esophagus. I realize that this is not the same area you will have radiation but in my case the irritation to the esophagus was not too bad. What I did learn is that it depends on how accurate that they can aim the radiation. If they manage to miss your throat then irritation should be minimal; however, if they have to hit part of the throat then yes there may be some irritation. In any case I don’t think the irritation will be anything like the burns you have experienced. The irritation I did feel was like a sore throat and affected me most when swallowing. The Miracle Mouth Wash the prescribed for me seemed to take care of the irritation and others here have had similar experiences with it. Please make sure that you have some of it available as it may help.

As for a biopsy, I have never been put under for a biopsy as they have always had to go through either the lung wall of the diaphragm and the needed me to hold still during the process. Based on this I think that you should ask if it can be done without putting you under since I suspect it can.

I also think that you are absolutely correct that your team needs to be the people you go to for the final answers to questions about your conditions. This web site and others like it is a good place to go to get ideas about what kind of questions you should be asking, but most of the people here as patients and caregivers not medical professionals. I always tell people that they have to have good, honest and open communication with their team about their treatment. The more complicated your case is the more you need this communication. It would appear that both of us have very complicated cases so we both need to have good communication.

Good luck with your first radiation treatment tomorrow and let us know how it goes.

Don't worry about "pestering" me. You're the one fighting the good fight right now. I kind of hoped you'd find that you had a lot to live for.

Yeah, I know a bit about being a fighter. Always ready to fight the good fight. :-) Take it a day at a time and keep on plugging away. You can do whatever it takes.

What are you putting into the G Tube? I've two (living) friends who went thru what you are going thru. One shoved freshly made juices into the G tube. He thinned whole home made soups to go thru the G Tube. He is doing darn well. The other stuck with the Ensure crapola and he got pneumonia right after his treatment. as he was just getting back on his feet (but still with the G-Tube) his wife had a heart attack. Four years later, they are both around to enjoy the company of their daughters.

Be determined to live, be ready, and be assured that not only are there people pulling hard for you but there are those who have come out the other side. No reason why you can't too. The torture sux big time and it takes a long while to get over but you can and you do. Buck up and survive.

DVD, Hello !! Hoping your doing okay this morning.:) Today Charles has his PET Scan.Hoping the test shows the cancer is going away. I wanted to tell you I too have 2 herniated disks in my low back. Been on Pain managment for at least 5 yrs. It is depressing knowing in order to move everyday and function I have to take pills. But reckon this is just gonna be my norm.
Days that are real bad I try to make sure I nap .If at all possible.
You have a nice day!!!
Janice.

Hi - I saw your post regarding chronic pain and choosing not to opt in on cancer treatment. I have had chronic neck, back, arm and leg pain for the past 30 years. It has gotten progressively worse with 3 spinal fusions in my neck along with a titanium plate. I have gone every route surgery, meds of all kinds, PT, accupunture, deep tissue massage, cupping, biofeedback, meditation and yoga - you name it I have tried it. I even attended a 10 week Functional Recovery /Pain Management program last year. What I have learned through all this is the pain is going to be present. I understand your frustration and depression with the weight you carry dealing with pain continuously. I would really recommend you find doctors that will work with you on how to best manage your pain so you can live a more "functional" life. I don't know the nature of your pain, so I don't want to overstep but part of our program involved a psychologist that worked not only on "accepting your pain" but on different methods to alleviate and cope with your pain. I hope you might find someone - possibly a Physical Medicine specialist to help. Be careful of those billed as Pain Specialists - many are anesthesiologists by training and so they are more geared to prescibing drugs, then longer term solutions.
On to my cancer. I was diagnosed about 4 months ago with breast cancer. I had two surgical procedures followed by a course of radiation which I just finished two weeks ago.
I don't think we can compare what we have done to what you might do. it is like comparing pain. Only you know what you are dealing with. And as others have said, it is ALWAYS your option to opt in or out of any treatment. But, you owe it to yourself to find out your options and be educated in your decison.
I wish you the best. Please keep us posted.

DVD thanks for responding. I am not sure why you have to get a surgeons permission to change pain doctors. I assume it has to do with insurance but there should be a way to appeal that to the insurance company, telling them that you do not communicate well with the doctor. I would think that they would listen to you. Please give this a try as it may make your remaining time more tolerable. No one should have to endure chronic pain with all that is available to treat it. My wife wears a pain patch and has for the last five years or so. Every once in a while a doctor will question her need but no one has ever tried to take it away. If your doctors will not listen to you you can try filing a complaint with the local medical oversight board (look them up online) this should get their attention. If there is anything I can do to help let me know. Good luck.