Overview
As of today, it has been two weeks since my last radiation treatment. While progress has been gradual, there have been some encouraging signs of improvement over the past week.
What’s Going Well
The radiation burn on my neck has healed remarkably well. I attribute this improvement to Darcy’s excellent nursing and dressing skills. I no longer need to use a dressing bandage; instead, I am applying a generous amount of cream to keep my neck cool and comfortable. Although the skin on my neck remains slightly pink, it looks significantly better than the bright red it was during my treatments.
Another positive development is the reduction in my phlegm problem. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water has helped signal to my body that it does not need to produce excess phlegm. This improvement is largely due to timely reminders to maintain my fluid intake.
I have also begun to eat small amounts of real food to exercise my swallowing muscles. Swallowing remains quite painful, but pain medications are helping me manage.
Current Challenges
Throat pain continues to be severe, currently at 9 out of 10. Now that I am two weeks post-radiation, I am hopeful that healing will accelerate in the coming days.
I am experiencing more frequent episodes of gagging and spitting up. The triggers are unclear, but these episodes often arise unexpectedly. As a result, I have had to resume using some of the anti-nausea medications that were necessary during my chemotherapy weeks.
Sleep remains a challenge. However, I have gotten better at sleeping in my feeding chair and taking brief cat naps throughout the day.
Brain fog is still affecting my memory and other cognitive functions. I am optimistic that this significant side effect will diminish over time.
Focus for the Coming Week
In the coming week, my primary goals are to continue eating small amounts of soft foods to improve my swallowing ability and to work on achieving better quality sleep.