Joe came home from the hospital on Friday, October 2nd.....Happy Birthday Joan!!!! The reason he was in the hospital is the tumor has gotten so large, it's pressing on his esophagus and he couldn't swallow or breath and was in a lot of pain. Doctors decided to start radiation to help shrink the tumor which will allow him to swallow and breath easier. The treatments started on Friday Sept 25th (I think) and as of today (Mon Oct 5th), he has had 8 treatments. The treatments are done at Brigham & Womens. He has a treatment on his chest, the next day on his side, the next day on his back, etc. Every day they rotate so that he is not getting it all in one spot. There will be a total of 14 treatments, high dosage. So far, other than being tired, no side effects although this could change at any minute (skin burn, peeling, burning in the throat, etc.). He has a PEG (feeding tube) installed in his stomach. Joan (or whoever is around) attaches a big plastic hypodermic type needle into the tube (which is attached to his stomach) and cans of soft/liquid type food are put in the needle and Joe releases it into his stomach. The goal is to have about 6 "cans" a day....so far....he can only get about 3 down....any more and he regurgitates. Joan is also giving him some of his meds in the tube with water (and a flush to keep it clean). Joan is also giving him soup and a "thickened" milk orally so that he continues to swallow and keep using those muscles working. He has a patch that gets changed every 3 days (approx.) and time releases pain meds, he has morphine, etc. The radiation, hopefully, will help shrink the tumor on his esophagus and he can take more and more food/liquid orally. As of today, his next chemo is scheduled for this Friday but that is uncertain. There is a call into the Medical Oncologist, waiting to hear back on whether this will still occur. Radiation will continue tomorrow, Wed, Thurs, Fri, and then next Tues and Wed and he is done. I will continue to update as I have info. I will also add a calendar so that we can all see the schedule of treatments, doctors appointments, Joan's work schedule, etc. The fight is on!!!
