One week post-treatment

As of today, Neil is one week post-treatment. He is feeling better every day. He saw Dr. Mehta yesterday and he gave him the good news that he can get his port taken out any time. He will set up a scan/three-month-out checkup and then after that we're looking at a six-month-out checkup and scan. We celebrated this weekend by going to Butterbee's. We used to go there almost every weekend to meet Nate and Stacia. Nate even managed to find their favorite server who doesn't work at the Mt. Orab location anymore but just so happened to be there that night! Josh and Dawn also were able to join us and Nate and Stacia bought a celebratory Dojo Gelato cake from our good friend down at Findlay Market.

FINISHED!!!!

Neil is officially finished with cancer treatment. His last radiation treatment was today and he is expected to remain cancer-free. This is a photo of him walking out of his last treatment. The nurses gave him his mask as a souvenir!

We are so grateful that his treatments worked. It has been a tough journey and Neil has been so strong! We never would have made it without the help of our friends and family. I would especially like to thank our parents, who took turns taking Neil to treatments and helping us out more than we can ever thank them for! Thank you to Karen, who has been a good friend and supporter of the family throughout this process. Thanks Gretchen and Steve for the visits and meals. Thank you Nate and Stacia for your friendship, support, hospitality and words of encouragement. Thanks also to Pam, who used her own experience to give Neil hope, as well as to Rhonda, who was on her own cancer journey but always gave helpful advice and checked in on us. Thank you Outi and Henry, our friends in Finland. Henry was diagnosed and treated on the same schedule as Neil, and their friendship has been so important. We hope to meet them someday! Thanks also to Lauren and Adrian, who took charge and helped us move with their huge trailer--that was so helpful during a very stressful time.

Neil has a followup visit on April 1st and then we expect a visit three months out. He will continue to be checked out at least every six months for five years. After one year, he can have his port taken out. After two years, they will declare him cancer-free.

We finally found a reasonably priced (read: not $300 an hour) dietician who is very excited to help Neil with a diet and exercise plan that can help him rebuild his strength, repair damage and keep him healthy for life.

Here's a closer look at that crazy mask!

A Cold

Not surprisingly, and despite the vitamins and staying relatively close to home, Neil has a cold. He hasn't eaten much and radiation can make it easier to get sick. It's nothing to be worried about, but he did stay home today because he doesn't want to get worse as a result of trying to do too much. One more treatment!

Hannibal Lecter

The nurses let me go back this morning to see the radiation setup and let me get a quick picture. When we were walking back I was telling them I was curious what the mask and all that looks like. The one laughed and said "Hannibal Lecter." It really does remind one of that. You can't see it very well in this photo, but you can see some hanging in the background.

Beard Hairs go bye bye

Neil had his appointment today and the radiation doc said he was still confident there was very little change of the cancer ever returning. Neil still hasn't been able to eat much, so what I fix him, I pack as many nutrients and calories in as possible. Some of the concoctions are kind of funny, but it's food, so oh well!

He came by my office after (I don't go w/him to his Thursday appts since they're in middle of day) and he pulled a bunch of beard hairs out from his chin! Since the radiation hits under his chin and on his neck, it affects the skin there.

Radiation, day 12

Neil woke up this morning with some blood coming from his throat (sorry, I know that's not pretty). I made him ask the nurse at his radiation appt. this morning (his exact words were "My wife is making me ask you why my throat is bleeding") and she said that she was glad he said something but that it's normal. She also said he was mildly dehydrated (it's tough for him even to drink) and wants us to get him some Boost so he can get some calories and vitamins in him. He only has five treatments left but it's getting tough for him to hang in there. He hasn't eaten a meal since Saturday and can only get down yogurt and ice cream. ONLY FIVE LEFT! He can definitely use words of encouragement because even though it's not chemo, it still sucks!

Relay for Life

We will be participating in two (maybe more!) walks this year: Relay for Life and Light the Night. The Cincinnati Relay for Life is on April 23-24 from 6:oo p.m. on Friday until noon Saturday. The rule is that a team must have one member on the track at all times. If you would like to join us or make a donation, please click here to go to our team page!

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10OH?pg=team&fr_id=23477&team_id=602906

Radiation, begin week 3

Neil started week 3 today. 11 down, 6 to go. His throat is really, really sore and he has lost about 10 lbs since the start of radiation since he can barely eat. He was prescribed Miles Mixture, which has a liquid painkiller suspended in Maalox, but it only works for a few minutes before it wears off. He also has a bunch of Numoisyn samples (lozenges) but those only increase saliva production, which isn't helping much with the pain. The doctor and nurses are aware of the issues and are keeping an eye on it, but thankfully he only has treatments through next Tuesday so if he can just hang in there, he will be ok.

Had a good weekend (Neil was a trooper). We needed to get out of the house! We went to Serpent Mound and then to dinner, where Neil quelled the sore throat with a few beers and was able to eat most of his meal. It still hurt, but at least he ate well once. On Sunday we went fossil hunting and then moved a few things over from the old house until Neil was too worn out.

Radiation, end of week 2

Neil has had ten radiation treatments. His throat is REALLY sore. He says it's not like the sore throat you'd have with a cold/flu, but rather feels like all of the muscles are strained and painful. He hasn't been able to eat a good meal in a few days...mostly just malts, ice cream and yogurt. He had a prescription filled last night that is a mixture of Maalox and some kind of pain medication. It's not helping much though. The nurse also gave him some special lozenges and liquid for dry mouth. Hopefully this weekend will give him a break and let his throat feel better Monday. Right now, he only has 7 left!

Radiation Continues

Neil has had a total of 7 treatments, which means he only has ten to go! In two more weeks, he will be finished...I can't believe it!

He's having some severe tooth sensitivity, but we were told he didn't have to worry about his teeth so we aren't sure if it just happens to coincide with these treatments. Other than that, he is feeling really good...in fact, we were out all last weekend hiking and birdwatching. It felt good to get out and get some fresh air.