It’s been one week since Suzanne finished her radiation treatments and this was her toughest yet. Her throat pain, mouth sores, and dry mouth issues continued to increase in severity for most of the week making it more difficult to eat & drink. Trying all the tricks including increasing her pain medication along with mouth rinses and topical meds have helped some but not enough.

At this time, calories are king, and trying to get her to eat is of most importance. High protein liquid meals like Ensure and Carnation instant breakfast are the best choices but there is no mental satisfaction of eating in those. So other foods she eats include brothy chicken noodle soup, flavored puddings, and mashed potatoes & gravy. Most of those don’t provide the calories she needs but there is at least some enjoyment.

Stamina has been another issue this week. After doing so well in Chicago, walking most places we went, Suzanne has really slowed down this week. This relates back to calories as she doesn’t have the fuel her body requires for activity. Most of her time has been spent in “her chair” doing hand work, reading, or just resting.

As you can imagine, along with a sore throat comes limited talking. A challenge for both of us, her in lack of volume, me with ‘selective hearing’.

We were told that the radiation continues to work for 7-10 days after treatments end so she should be close to the top of the curve this coming weekend. With that, healing should begin and the road to recovery from all the treatments can occur and in her words ‘It can’t happen fast enough’.