diagnosed with lymphoma

[ratface]

Looks like the chemo always knocks me to my knees. Just a long day. Radiation first so I don't barf in the mask and then the 4 hours of infusion with the cisplatin. No barfing yet but nausea and just constant fatigue. Appetite horible again. I've been stocking up on the puddings, jellos, and icecream.Then Saturday driving from Chicago to Urbana and back with the usual shopping for stuff and helping out with the college apartment for DS. Last knight the neighbors were fighting in a language I don't understand around 3 AM and I got up at 5 am to start the college trek. I wish I at least knew what they were so mad at. Time for a quite night I hope?

[bbbamI]

If you share your jello with them, maybe that will make them happy and forget the reason for fighting.

I hope you get a good night's sleep darlin'....

[W2R]

You must be so sleepy! Good night, and here's something to help you slip away to sweet dreams...

YouTube - Brahms Lullaby

[Urchina]

Or, if Want2Retire's option doesn't help, you could try this:

MIT OpenCourseWare | Physics | 8.01 Physics I: Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999 | Video Lectures | detail

Hope your sleep is sound and restorative, however you come by it.

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urchina Or, if Want2Retire's option doesn't help, you could try this: MIT OpenCourseWare | Physics | 8.01 Physics I: Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999 | Video Lectures | detail Hope your sleep is sound and restorative, however you come by it.

Hey, I majored in that subject!
Is that a bagel pocket protector he has on?

Ratface...you are going through such a tough time. Man oh man.
But each week done is one less you still have to endure.

[vicente solano]

Ratface: Just because I don´t know what else to say to show you my support -plenty of eloquent members already, thank God, are doing that marvellously- doesn´t mean that I don´t think about your predicament and the valiant way you are handling it. Have a good night.

[citrine]

Earplugs and Green Tea ice-cream......you are going to be fine
I hope you have a great day ((hugs))

[ratface]

It's been a bad week. The driving of DS to college was too much too soon and just took all my energy. Today thursday I have some energy. One more day before the weekend, Thank- God. I'm surviving on soaked cereal, icecream, shakes, and jello. Everything taste so bad. I hope to eat real food again some day.

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratface It's been a bad week. The driving of DS to college was too much too soon and just took all my energy. Today thursday I have some energy. One more day before the weekend, Thank- God. I'm surviving on soaked cereal, icecream, shakes, and jello. Everything taste so bad. I hope to eat real food again some day.

You will and you will appreciate it more than ever. Better days are ahead.

[bbbamI]

Try anything that you think won't hurt your mouth. Even if you didn't like something before, maybe it will taste good to you now.

Rest and play when you feel the need. Listen to your body.

You will eat real food again....

[FinallyRetired]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratface It's been a bad week. The driving of DS to college was too much too soon and just took all my energy. Today thursday I have some energy. One more day before the weekend, Thank- God. I'm surviving on soaked cereal, icecream, shakes, and jello. Everything taste so bad. I hope to eat real food again some day.

I'm surprised you had the energy to drive him to college. I don't think I have that much energy yet. I know it must have been super hard for you, but I'm glad you did something like that to get your mind off the treatments at least for a little while -- and to do something good for your son.

Just think how good a hamburger will taste at some point in the future.

[Janet H]

A few years ago I helped out a friend during a similar treatment course. Here were some his favorites (although now he won't go near most of them). The last was his fave and one of the few 'not sweet' things he ate regularly. You could cut the recipe pretty easily making a cup of white sauce and 2 eggs.

• oatmeal - the real stuff with diced apples cooked in.

• tapico pudding (the real stuff). Watch the pudding packs - there is a lot of salt in some flavors

• Banana shakes with real bananas. In a blender: 1 whole frozen banana, a few ice cubes, vanilla, milk. A touch of sugar or honey.

• Rice with cheese sauce

• Rice with creamed eggs on top

[freebird5825]

You can get through this. Keep your eye on that sunrise.

[Amethyst]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet H Banana shakes with real bananas. In a blender: 1 whole frozen banana, a few ice cubes, vanilla, milk. A touch of sugar or honey.

Hey Ratface,

Maybe if that other guy said beer tasted like bananas to him, your banana milkshake will taste like beer! Worth a try, anyway!
Another thing, when I was a teenager I went through a phase where I made myself a banana milkshake every day. I quit when I noticed all my clothes were getting tight...that stuff puts weight on like nobody's business. So, get busy with the bananas and the blender...you need the calories. Maybe add some chocolate sauce!

Rooting for you, and thinking of you every day.

Amethyst

[ratface]

The problem with food choices is that you need to be aware of where your digestive tract is headed. I take so many meds for so many side effects that some cause constipation. Eating bananas and rice could really be counter productive at times. Pain meds are notorious for this. I limit those as much as possible. Am rebounding nicely this weekend with the energy levels and just plan to eat, rest, and possibly make it to the library. And yes I have to get chocolates for the Radiation crew which has been great to me. It seems everytime I come in the machine malfunctions and they joke about magnets in my pockets. If they only new??

[bbbamI]

Uh oh...sounds like you might need some prunes.....

I'm so tickled you're feeling better this weekend.

[vicente solano]

Ratface: Have the docs given you an estimate of how long will lyour ordeal take and when you´ll be your usual self?

[freebird5825]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratface ...Am rebounding nicely this weekend with the energy levels and just plan to eat, rest, and possibly make it to the library. And yes I have to get chocolates for the Radiation crew which has been great to me.

Sounds like you're evening out a bit.
Good plan for the crew - chocolate is indeed the universal TY currency.

[SarahW]

Ratface--try some baby foods, especially the fruits...applesauce, prunes, peaches. Those should be easy to swallow. Hope you feel better soon.

[ratface]

The baby foods might be a good choice but I draw the line at diapers. I'm still able to swallow and am forcing even awful tasting stuff down. Loosing ten pounds in a week will make you at least try and eat something.

Vincente the game plan from this point forward is to finish the chemo and radiation. I'm halfway there. 4 weeks down. Stay out of the hospital with complications as malnutrition or infection due to poor white blood counts. Maintain some reasonable amount of weight and keep the swallowing reflex and saliva somewhat flowing. The jaw has to keep moving otherwise a condition I think called trismus occurs which is like lockjaw. There is also a condition called thrush which can cause problems in the throat. I also have to keep the radiation burns under control around the neck as it is starting to look reddish. If the swine flu dosen't get me then we wait I think 9 weeks for the radiation and chemo to clear out. They tell me radiation keeps on giving after the last treatment for weeks. These are rumored to be the worst weeks of all, the last 2-3 post treatment. We then do another pet scan and look for cancer. If it's still there the options begin to get worse. Possible neck disection or tongue resection. I anticipate a neck disection to remove lymph nodes that may have traces of cancer. Anyone know who the best neck disection guy/girl in the US might be?