Fifty Plus (50+) - Congratulations BluesDawg

Way to go on finishing up the radiation treatments and major congratulations for keeping your head so straight through this whole thing. You truly are an inspiration.

Keep on trucking BD. Your attitude is an inspiration.

+1

+2!!

good news.

:beer::thumb:

The Dawg is our HERO! :)

I have been following your blog pretty much from day one.
I hope I never have to face the challenge you've had to face (I've faced it "second hand" far too many times and that's bad enough) but if I do I can only hope for half of the fortitude, courage and indomitable spirit that you've soon.

In short: Keep on rockin' in the new world!

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/JanMM/boyhowdy.jpg

I hope you're starting to feel like your old self.

Godawg!!!!!!!

...And we used to think Lance was tough.:thumb:

Great Job. You are an inspiration to all

Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement. It helps, especially at this rough point.

Completing the treatments was a milestone I've been looking forward to for a long time. I am glad to have reached that point, but I wish it came with a break from the pain. For the last couple of weeks, the radiation has been burning the hell out of my throat and it is going to take some time for that to get much better. I think there is a natural tendency to think that now that the treatments are done, I magically start feeling good. Not so. The sickness from the chemo went away pretty fast, but now there is damage that will take time to repair.

I am taking some strong pain medications and they do keep the pain at a manageable level, in fact, I stay in a fog or asleep much of the time. But as time for the next pill approaches, I can feel the effects wearing off and the pain peeks out to remind me it is still there. I have always tried to avoid dependence on pain medications, but at this point I live for the next pill (which I have to dissolve in water and drink as I can't swallow it).

I have not eaten anything more solid than yogurt for a few weeks. Mostly I'm living on Ensure, yogurt and soy milk with whey protein powder added. Any way I can drink down some protein to help rebuild all the cells that have been burned out of my throat. I can't wait to get to where I can eat solid food again.

Sorry for such a cheery note ;), but that's where I am right now. Good thing about hitting the bottom is that it just gets better from here.

Nothing for you to be sorry about. We're sorry that you have to go through this crap. Thanks for sharing and helping us understand.

Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement. It helps, especially at this rough point.

Completing the treatments was a milestone I've been looking forward to for a long time. I am glad to have reached that point, but I wish it came with a break from the pain. For the last couple of weeks, the radiation has been burning the hell out of my throat and it is going to take some time for that to get much better. I think there is a natural tendency to think that now that the treatments are done, I magically start feeling good. Not so. The sickness from the chemo went away pretty fast, but now there is damage that will take time to repair.
I am taking some strong pain medications and they do keep the pain at a manageable level, in fact, I stay in a fog or asleep much of the time. But as time for the next pill approaches, I can feel the effects wearing off and the pain peeks out to remind me it is still there. I have always tried to avoid dependence on pain medications, but at this point I live for the next pill (which I have to dissolve in water and drink as I can't swallow it).

I have not eaten anything more solid than yogurt for a few weeks. Mostly I'm living on Ensure, yogurt and soy milk with whey protein powder added. Any way I can drink down some protein to help rebuild all the cells that have been burned out of my throat. I can't wait to get to where I can eat solid food again.Sorry for such a cheery note ;), but that's where I am right now. Good thing about hitting the bottom is that it just gets better from here.


***** and 1/2*:D

Sorry for your pain.
My wife had no problems with the chemo.
She had double radiation. It kick her butt.
5 years later, she is fine.

Dawg I do not know you except from here on this forum, You have nothing at all to be sorry about in your response. All of us are praying for the pain to go away as soon as physically possible. You have been thru a lot so this last climb is a little one compaired to all the climbs you have pulled thru in your treatment. Just think it will not be long and you will be joining us on the pie rides.

Keep on trucking BD. Your attitude is an inspiration.


+1


+2!!

+++ :thumb:

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Congrats on beginning your healing. I hope your days become more pain-free, and soon.

Thank you for being an inspiration. :hug:

Onya mate :D

Richard

"All" you have to do is climb that hill in front of you. Put it in granny and go. I know you'll make it jus' fine.

Thank you so much for all your updates and sharing your experience with us. Hang in there. It WILL get better-maybe not as quickly as you'd prefer but not as long as you think either. I admire how you've tackled the treatment head on......

BD,

Hang Tough!

Jeff, still fat

Was there ever any doubt?

Hey Blues Dawg, OCP here. Hope to see you next year at the Tour of Georgia at road atlanta. I know you will be on your bike ASAP, hang in there, I know you feel like sh*# right now, but you are strong and this will pass. Take care of yourself.

Dawg,
I'm waiting to see some of your good ride reports again soon.

I feel for you.
Hope it gets better soon.
You'll be riding soon.

stay tough and keep the faith

Gary

My very best wishes too - comfort and strength to you

BD: Your description of not feeling better "after the treatment" brought back memories of my wife's battle with cancer. She found that it was a tough battle coming back from the damage the chemo and radiation did. That's a hell of a one - two punch. You are now in the midst of the reconstruction challenge of rebuilding the healthy you, not warfare that was waged in destroying the disease. This will take time during which latching on to the pain medications or anything else that helps you get through it makes sense. Anybody going through what you are never has to apologize to me for not feeling "cheery".

...and we used to think lance was tough.:thumb:

+1.

Hang in there, BD!

Hang in there BD, lots of us pulling for you.

Hang in there BD. We'd be there to help push you up this hill if we could!

Continued prayers from the PNW.

You are our 50+ TdF champion.

Stay with it, Blues Dawg!

As one cancer guy to another I say heal fast and heal well BD. And here's to you getting back on track soon and back out riding.

Facing this stuff sure changes your outlook on what is important in life.

BluesDawg,
Hang in there. My after affects took about three weeks to subside after 41 radiation treatments. Recovery is an up and down thing but over time, you will gradually feel better. You know we're all here to take a pull for you on the uphill parts of the road. Heal well.

No apologies needed! I often wonder how you're doing, from all the way out here on the west coast, so I'm glad to see the update and details of your recovery. Thanks for taking us along with you for the ride, and letting us help you up the hill.

We will continue to pray for a rapid and complete recovery.

BD, how are your wife and son holding up through this? You're all going through it together.... it must be tough on them too.

Good to hear from you BD. You are often in my thoughts.

I too am so sorry to hear about your suffering, but wish you all the best as you recover.

Oh btw, just scheduled a colonoscopy after a year of dithering!

Be well, BD!

Hang in there dawg.... I've been following your blog, and keeping you in our thoughts.

Be well, BD!

Is that the Circus Liquor in your avatar?