Tom,

There is always hope. I'm just a realist. If this is as good as it gets, I accept that. Anything over and above what I have now is a bonus. Believe me, for what I've gone throguh, LIFE IS GOOD. I finished radiation back in the first week of January. Some days are better than others. When I first get up in the morning, I can open wide enough to at least brush my teeth. As the day progresses, I lose a lot of opening. By evening it's almost gone. I've tried using the thera-bite and tongue depressors to pry my mouth open. The pain is excrutiating. I've had enough pain for two lifetimes.

I kept my mask from my radiation. I have it mounted on a wall in my office. It, like the thera-bite is a great conversation starter. I consider it a badge of honor.

John