Today marks 4 weeks since Warren's last radiation treatment. We are slowly getting back to normal. He has had a rough go at recovery but I think he's finally starting to recover. He definitly experienced every side effect that they tell you "is a side effect" from radiation or chemo. All unpleasant, painful and some humiliating. He went several weeks without really eating anything other than having 1-2 Boosts or Ensures a day along with water and gatorade. To date he's lost about 44lbs but I think we are on the right track now. We've started juicing again (and he's actually getting them down everyday). I've been making healthy soups several times a week and he's been eating those but he's really sick of soup and so ready for normal food. He really wants a cheeseburger, hotdog, pizza, hot fudge sundae and all of the other food he sees on the commercials daily! Unfortunately, he's starving from eating so healthy and light everyday. (Not that he's eating that by choice but it's all he can get down and he desperately needs the nutrients to repair and rebuild.) Right now it's almost impossible to eat enough to gain weight. We are lucky to get enough calories to just maintain his weight so that he doesn't loose any more. I believe it will be very soon before he can eat pretty normal again. (He's still having problems eating because he still has so many sores in his mouth from the radiation.) He's doing what he's supposed to be doing to help with that but it's a slow healing process, I assume.
Just in the last week he has made tremendous progress, though. (I think we can rest assure it's all because of the juicing recipes that his mom emailed us and demanded that he does to get better.) Truly within 4 days he felt a whole lot better. He has gotten a lot of strength back. He's gone to work several times this week for a few hours and we even went to Ihop for breakfast one morning. (That was a huge suprise when he asked if I wanted to go!) He drenched a pancake in syrup and managed to eat one even though it hurt. (That's how bad he wants to eat!) Oh, and he's completely off all of his pain medications. I think that's why the pain seems to have gotten worse. He says the pain pills don't really help anymore so why take them.
Well, that's the most recent update. Sorry, it's been so long again! I truly intended on updating regularly but with the kids and all that's going on I haven't turned the computer on much during the day and unlike my normal self I've been in bed and asleep by 9pm every night.
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This was Monday when we went to visit Mawmaw. She wanted a
picture for her book. (He's probably going to kill me for posting this
when he sees it but it is what it is. This is 4 weeks after his last
treatment and 40+lbs lighter.) |
Y'all have a good weekend and a Great Mother's Day for all you moms!!!
