Hi Kathy,

I'm doing my best to gain weight and get more fit. I'm still using the Gtube but supplement the meal replacement with real food and the body seems to be much happier with real food. I stated to gain weight as soon as I did it. Unfortunately I have a minor set back. infection has developed on the floor of the mouth where there was a T junction of incisions. It formed a hole going down to the throat. I was immediately readmitted. It was so sudden I didn't even pack anything.

The great news though is that my live X-ray swallowing study passed with flying colors, so I can have liquid food by mouth. But in light of the infection, I Can't take anything by mouth until it all clears up. Bummer!

They toke a CT scan yesterday to confirm the infection extent and the contrast dye caused my face to puff up and my skin to itch. Apparently out will go away once it get flushed our of the system.

Oh well, two steps forward, I step back, but still moving forward

Joseph 59 male
pain in tongue strt 2/10/12, Dx SCC 3/19/12, confirmed Stg IV 4/5/12,
Total Glsctmy & recon w/ flap from L thigh, neck disct, trach 4/27/12
G-Tube 5/1/12
55 nodes all clear
completed 2 chemo 33 rad
non-smoker, non-drinker, exercise daily, mostly vegetarian diet...go figure