Done! Day 59

The Honey Badger, when happy known to bust into funky groove moves.

They sent Scott home with his radiation mask...We're not sure what to do with it,  I say we add antlers and hang it above the fireplace.  Open for suggests...What is the best use of a used radiation mask???

Day 58...and still going

Good news, the last Radiation will be on Friday.  Three more to go!  From there they'll wait 4-6 weeks to do another CT scan and then 3 months before another full body PET scan.  Scott will remain "all hooked up"(PICC line in place) until after the CT scan.  If all looks good after the CT scan and they determine that no more Chemo or Radiation is needed, then they will remove his PICC line.  His feeding tube will remain in place until he can start eating by mouth again and maintain his weight...that may take 2-6 months. 

Nothing can keep the Honey Badger down....nope, not hundreds of bee stings or cobra venom coursing through his veins....you know why?  Cause he's bad ass!

Day 54

Last Thursday was not the end of radiation as we had hoped for.  We hope to get an end date tomorrow.  I guess to avoid surgery on his neck, the radiation treatments are now focusing in on the lymph node.  I'm not sure if this is standard practice (probably) or if they saw something on his x-ray last week.

Today seemed to be a really good day for Scott.  I actually saw him smile a couple times.  He has been up out of bed twice today for about an hour each time.

Before

Day 54

                   Sportin a nice bowl cut....line of radiation treatment

He can now open his mouth beyond a little crack.

Sores popping up all over his body.

Infection seems much better

Very dry skin, sores around nail bed due to chemo are common

Skin is sensitive ..sores from where anti nausea patch was...he has a matching one on the other side.

Day 48

This past weekend was pretty rough.  Scott has dropped another 5lbs.  Today the Dr. told him if he wants to prevent being hospitalized then he needs to keep his liquids and nutrition up.  A new round of medications have been prescribed.  A new pain med, an anti indigestion med and an antibiotic (he may have an infected left cheek).  In the past 30 years, I've only seen Scott tear up at the loss of our infant son Demetri.  Over the weekend, he was brought to tears several times.  I'm sure the pain meds combined with the over all discomfort and loss of control is the cause.  It's not uncommon for cancer patients to experience a bout of depression.  The end of this is so close, although the Dr. did mention today that Scott may have more radiation treatments then the 35 we were hoping for....we should find out tomorrow.

Click on Picture for Close Up View

Day1

Day 46

Day 2

Day 46 ...down almost 25lbs

Red area close to Jawline might be Infected

No it's not Darth Vader......It's Scott trying to breath.  Sorry for the sideways video, I don't know how to correct it. 

Helpful hints for Head & Neck Cancer Patients

You undoubtedly with develop a faucet nose.  As time goes on, all mucus membranes will start to dry out even though you have a constant steam from your nose. The stream will dry inside your nostrils causing a blockage.  Take a WET anti-bacterial q-tip and swab out the passage way several times a day.  Purchase a facial steamer to help loosen the thick mucous.  (Walgreens)

Day 43

7 Chemo Treatments (DONE!)
29 Radiation Treatments (6 more)

The past few weeks have been a mixture of emotions for us.  We've been deeply touched and blown away by our family and friends generosity and love. I just want to publicly say to all our family and friends...Thank you, you have truly touched our hearts and we are grateful to you.
We've also been immensely sadden by the passing of the CEO of MICRON, the company my husband works for.  He is a husband, father and son and my heart is filled with sorrow for his family.  I am shamed by the fear I expressed in my previous post.  I should be counting all our blessings and not living in fear but rather in gratefulness.  Despite his current struggles, Scott  is here and alive and for this I am truly thankful.

Scott rang his Chemo bell today!

Last Chemo Infusion

SCOPOLAMINE Patch for Nausea

Total pounds lost....20

This past week has also been physically rough on Scott.  He is producing a very thick mucous that feels suffocating.  He sleeps sitting up so he doesn't choke.  It often causes him to gag and then vomit, which is excruciating on a "raw" throat and mouth.  

Because he is no longer producing saliva, the bacteria in his mouth has gone rampant and formed into a bad case of thrush.  The medication to help clear the thrush interacts with his Fentanyl patch (pain med) by releasing larger increments.  He doesn't like to feel "high" so he has removed his patch and thus is miserable.

As the Dr. warned us in the beginning..."this treatment is like going to hell and back"...Scott can now feel Hatties Inferno and wants as far away from the heat as possible.

He now spends all day in bed except to go to Dr. appointments.

He is so close to being done with this and there really is light at the end of that tunnel.

Radiation of Head and Neck

A Typical Day of Radiation

Mouth Guards to Protect The Teeth and Reflect the Radiation Beams

Placement of Kevlar Mask

Bolted Down

Alignment...Mucho Importano

Chest Tattoo and Bulls-eye Alignment

Machine Rotates around Scott's Head

Beam Me Up...Scotty

At Nurses Station

 Screens Showing Treatment

Day 34

I think the pictures say it all.

Day 34

Day 1

Day 34

Day 7

Swollen Oral Tissue

Losing Hair at Nape of Neck

Day 32

22 Radiation Treatments
5 Chemo Treatments

Disabling fatigue has blown in.  Radiation is a whirlwind of side effects.  The past two days has placed Scott at the lowest of his treatment so far.  Last night the nausea forced him to try and sleep sitting up.  The dry heaves appeared this morning.  We may have to change anti-nausea medication.

I haven't told Scott yet, but he is losing his hair at the nape of his neck.  Hopefully this will grow back after treatment has ceased.  His hearing is going, I'm not sure if he is aware of this but the TV is at a nerve grinding volume!  Although there is way too much noise in our house from the TV, Scott has become mute.  It has become too painful for him to talk and very difficult to swallow. Also but definitely not least, I don't know how this can be possible, but he is shorter. I stand about an inch taller than him now, and normally he is three inches taller than me.  I'm totally freaked out by this, how can this be?  Maybe he is crouched over which makes him seem shorter or I'm growing!

Besides his throat, mouth and nasal cavity, the top of Scott's lungs are being treated with radiation. I'm nervous about the potential late side effects of radiation.  Among those are lung and heart problems. There is just so much to worry about with cancer and it's treatment. I hate cancer!

17 Radiation Treatments
4 Chemo Treatments (officially over half way with Chemo!)

As you can see from the pictures below, Scott looks much better than the previous posting.  He had a reprieve from the facial rash and was able to quickly shave before it re-surfaces.  Although he looks better, he said yesterday (Saturday) was one of his worst days.  It's painful for him to talk at this point so I'm unable to get a good description of symptoms.  To ask him to write them down is a big mistake too, I'm afraid of losing a body part to the fierce Honey Badger with acute grumpitis!

Scott has a liquid pain medication that he will use in the evenings.  He is "allowed" to use it more often; however, he's afraid of becoming strung out.  He also takes anti nausea medication.  Each drug alone can cause a case of constipation, so the combo of the two has posed some real problems.  If you or your loved one is entering cancer treatment, stock up on medications to treat these side effects.  Remember it's best to be proactive then reactive.  I'm positive that part of Scott's ill feeling is due to the above problem.

Today's Symptoms:

Extreme exhaustion  (we tried to take a walk and he only lasted two blocks)
Mouth sores with bleeding
Bloody nose (using humidifier now)
Extremely dry mouth
Thicker saliva
Very sore throat! Hurts to talk and swallow (says he's swallowing 1 cup of water per day? I have my doubts)
Constipation
Rash on face subsided somewhat
"On edge"
Doesn't want to take all 6 cans of food per day... taking 3-4 past 2 days

Day 1

Day 25

The pictures don't show the true appearance of the Erbitux rash.  His skin is flushed, peeling, extremely dry, scale type scabbing with acne type sores.  Yes it is itchy.