Last Radiation Treatment

John had his last radiation treatment on Monday.  It was actually a bit of a surprise cause I thought he was scheduled for several more.  Dr. Ballenger, his radiologist, was very pleased with the progress she had made.  Her mission was to zap the growth that was strangling one of the main trunks to his lungs so it would allow for good air flow.  Prior to all of this, when John would breathe, there was a gurgling sound.  Since the radiation (and chemo) started, that has gone away and his lungs now sound really good.    Can we relax....well, no.  Cancer is sort of like the bad guy in one of those horror films.  He gets shot, head cut off, blown up, cut, and buried, but somehow, he manages to come back and scare the BeeJesus out of you. That's what it is like.  You know it is still out there.  Cancer, the true horror film!

But, all in all, he is doing remarkably well....considering everything he is dealing with.  He is really having trouble eating and drinking now that the radiation has burned his esophagus.  That will continue for two weeks after the last radiation treatment and then the healing process starts.  But, always remember, when other things start healing, so does the cancer.  And it will get what it needs first.

I didn't realize till we talked with Dr. Ballenger how sneaky cancer really is.  She told us cancer releases an enzyme when you eat that tells the brain you are full.  "We've had plenty thanks....don't need any more food".  But, what is really happening, the cancer cells grab the first calories, release the enzyme to say we are full, and the rest of the body goes without and gradually starves.  That is why one of the first questions someone is asked when cancer may be involved is, "Have you lost weight recently?"

John has lost some weight.  I keep thinking a lot of it is from all the procedures he has endured.  Seems as though every one of them is always scheduled early in the day, but never get done till way late!  He goes without food and drink from 12 the night before till after the procedure is complete.  So, he should have lost some from that.

But anyway, that is where we are, waiting for the healing to start on his throat.  Life is pretty tough when you can't eat or drink with any pleasure.  Take my word for it.

Wagon still moving....
PCQ