RADIATION BURNS

Hi again, Sorry it took so long to get back. Have had a few setbacks.The burns were very bad, the lotions the lab gave me did not work well. I decided to use petroleum jelly. I would apply this thickly 4x each application I would wipe off with paper towels leaving the last application on (very thick) with a scarf for bedtime. Within a week it was almost totally gone, No more pain, & I could move my neck freely! Its sure messy, but it works! Hope it works for you. Next chapter:Weakness, shaking & panic attacks, while your body is ridding itself of all the poisons.

THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT FOLLOW - WOW!!

Hi again, First came loss of appetite, then as follows; either a metallic; hot pepper; or no taste on certain foods at all. I am going to dedicate this chapter to my husband Bob, as without his support & making sure I was eating I would have surly been on a feeding tube. Bob sells Herbalife on rgh.magic@verizon.net. I never used the product to be honest. In fact I was a tad upset he involved himself at age 76yrs to start up a business. I went along with it biting my tongue. Well it sure did work for me. Bob made me a shake morning noon & evenings. Added banana, Peaches; & ground up Herbalife multivitamins plus some of the other products I had never heard of. Now that was not the only thing I ate, I also had Boost Plus, scrambled eggs; mashed potatoes; mashed cauliflower; and broccoli. I tried ice cream & yogurt but that was the hot pepper taste. yuk. The chocolate had no taste at all, just like a glob of cloying yuk. From the surgery to the treatments I lost about 11 lbs. During the treatment 4 lbs, then was able to maintain my 98lbs. The doctors were surprised!!!! Again I have to be honest with you, it was a big struggle at times. Swallowing was difficult, liquids sometime came up through my nose (especially water) so sip slowly! I found a straw works nicely. Your energy level is very low. I still managed to vacuum, mop & keep the doggy doodles happy, well fed & loved. I have a Shi-tzu & Bijon. The latter had been terribly abused so instead of pampering myself I pampered him. We also have Mr.Beasley, an Umbrella Cockatoo who loves to talk, very interesting conversations I must say. ahem!!! bye for now will continue with next chapter: Dealing with radiation burns & baldness.

THE TREATMENT, ETC

HI AGAIN, Telling my friends was very hard. The response was overwhelming! Their love & support was the biggest blessing I had ever experienced. I was ready!! First a conference with the radiation Dr. than the Chemotherapy Dr. A Pet Scan, scope down the nasal passage (3) the measuring of the mesh mask I was to wear during radiation, blood work and a power port surgery. I needed the port for chemo as my veins are tiny. The radiation came first took about 30 minutes as they had to mark the mask etc. I had asked my G.P. for some Valium as I am a tad claustrophobic. You have to fight your doctor to get any...I won the fight (5mg) I guess they're made of gold!!!! Then the chemo. First you see the Dr. (about an hour) then another 4 hours hooked up to an IV. I was fine until I got home. Out of the blue it felt like a lightning bolt hit me on the top of my head. Then all of my organs felt as if someone had beaten me with a baseball bat. I truly don't know how I made it to radiation the next day. I explained my extreme pain & found out they had given me 400 units of chemo...yikes!!!!! I came very close to kicking the Dr. in the you know where! He then lowered the dosage to 130 units. Quite a difference!! Chapter 3 (the side effects that follow,WOW)!!!

CHAPTER ONE.

It began with a slight sore throat. My GP sent me to an E.N.T. Doctor. He then advised a throat scan. It showed a tumor on my larynx. I had the surgery to remove it & it was benign. For two months the sore throat continued. Went back and was treated like a nut case. He said and I quote "well gee Carole I ripped a lemon size tumor out of you what did you expect?" Another two months passed and still the sore throat. I actually was embarrassed to go back. I apologized to him but explained I was concerned. To make a long story short after more scans & biopsy, which took another 3 weeks he announced to me that I had cancer! I must say I was angry with him....So I ardently advise anyone that is skeptical about their diagnosis, keep asking questions and pursue all angles without fear of arrogant doctors opinions....its your body!!!! Next chapter: The treatment etc!