So, Tim has to have radiation and chemo. Radiation is 5 days a week for 7 weeks, and chemo is once a week for 7 weeks.
It’s not a huge dose of chemo, so side effects shouldn’t be too bad (the oncologist—since that’s a healthcare provider that Tim has now—said “You won’t lose that lovely hair!”)
Radiation side effects could suck mightily, since it will be directed at the base of his tongue (and more or less all of the inside of his mouth). But the radiation should eradicate the cancer, which is the goal. The radiation guy (since that’s also a healthcare provider that Tim has now) said that this is curative, not remission. So that part is of course excellent.
But Jesus Christ, this is a lot.
That is a lot. Seven weeks of a whole lot and I'm sure it's not all just magically back to normal at the end of that, although I hope it is as much that was as it can be. I'm very pleased that Tim has some continuity in his healthcare, that has got to make things easier! And curative sounds great, I am in favor
Curative is what you're looking for so it's a buckle up and grind time.
But in the end, 7 weeks will shoot by fairly quickly.
When my mom got radiation on her throat it really affected her ability to eat. So you might want to load up on some protein drinks to keep his calories up.
But in the end, 7 weeks will shoot by fairly quickly
The oncologist said that side effects probably won’t start until maybe 2 weeks into treatment, but then they’ll linger for a month or more after.
When my mom got radiation on her throat it really affected her ability to eat. So you might want to load up on some protein drinks to keep his calories up.
He’ll be seeing a nutritionist (more than once, I think) to address keeping his calories up even if his throat hurts like fire. The oncologist stressed more than once that good nutrition and not losing weight is key to a good recovery.
He’ll also be seeing a speech therapist, not for speech issues, but to be sure he doesn’t develop trouble swallowing.
The cancer team really does have it all planned out. Barring any surprises, his treatment should start September 8 or 9. So he should be done with treatment by Halloween, though, like I said, he’ll be dealing with side effects for a while after that.
Yikes. Seven weeks will feel like forever I’m sure. But hopefully over soon and not huge aftereffects. Fingers crossed for him.
Sounds like he's in good hands. Good.
In extremely minor news: I did not realize it was going to be hot today and did not drag my fan out to the living room to point at me while I work. I could, theoretically, go get it now but it would be so much easier to just go and lie down in front of the fan where it is. I'm most likely going to do neither of those, just continue to work while drenched in my own sweat until EOD because there is always one more thing that I'll just finish first
