Magic Mouth Wash

1/3 each Maalox
Benadryl Elixir
2 percent�Viscous lidocaine

1 pint. �

2tbs every 4 hours, swish spit

This is the formula that I have been prescribing for years.

Kelly, since I'm in polite company I won't tell you where I want to direct this doctor to go.

Jen, I think you are right that "the thing" is shrinking because it is less irritated. And even if it is smaller they will still see what they need to...

Jerry, thank you. And Dave thanks you. He used the formula and it gave him relief.
He's now taking a day to drink his calories and give his mouth a rest(good he's normally a quiet guy. My mouth never takes a rest...). Is a week post biopsy too long to be feeling this?

Hi Susan,

I just read this thread to catch myself up...man, you have been busy. The beginning is the hardest part. You are flooded with all this information and jargon that you don't understand and you have to hear it from someone you may not like too much. Finding a good doctor/team of doctors can be a challange!! I started with one doc and had 3 surgeries then switched to my current doc who I like very much. I did go to Sloan for a 3rd opinion and since they said the same thing I stuck with my current doc. I saw Dr. Shah at Sloan..is that who you are seeing? He was a nice man, very smart!!

I understand why your husband doesn't want surgery...it is hard. I hope he makes it to the forums sometime. As I'm sure you already know, the people here are a wonderful help. There is just something about talking to people who know how you feel that makes it all seem easier to handle.

I look forward to hearing how your appointment at Sloan goes, I'm sure you will fill us in:)

Yeah, busy is one way to put it---nuts is another. Unfortunately, because the MD we had (how can I put this tactfully) sucked I really had to get on the case and get answers elsewhere. And you guys were elected.

I wanted to ask the MD a ton of questions but given his presentation I knew it was better for Dave if I just stopped.Dave is practical but no one should be given this info in that manner. But man,I craved answers.

I tell Dave what I'm learning here but I think he needs to absorb stuff before coming on himself. He is an info gather too but we work at different speeds.

Shah was one of two doctors recommended. We went with the other one. Not because we heard anything bad about Shah at all. Just the other guy was highly recommended to Dave by two different MDs who he trusts and who don't know each other...

Susan:

I am glad you are getting another Dr to review. My experience was that good Drs encourage a patient to get second/third opinions. !st CCC I went to was great very through, 2 of the Drs came from another CCC. He said he would go to Duke to get thier opinion and find out who I was more comfortable. In fact they set it up. At Duke, which is very good, one of Dr who many years ago trained at MD Anderson, told me if I was not happy with treatment program, they would set up appts at MD Anderson. I ended up doing treatments at Duke but all the "good" doctors seemed to be interested in helping me. Maybe I was lucky. Good luck.

Thanks Bill,I honestly can't imagine having to stick with this Dr. He said we didn't need to go to Sloan because he was so sure what the protocal would be. Then I came on here and got educated about CCCs, saw the variety of treatment options people were given,etc.

But even if we liked him I would want to get another opinion. I'm really hoping the guy from Sloan turns out to be someone we can work with. So far, the staff has been very helpful and kind.
It was nice to look at your signature line and see all those 'all clears."

I agree with Bill..I think a good doctor really cares and would encourage a second opinion so the patient feels comfortable.

It's the pompous assholes with God complexes that get offended at 2nd opinions...sadly I think it would be hard to see anything past their egos, and surprising that they learned anything in med school.

Interestingly, his idea of a second opinion was for us to go talk to the team he would work with locally. His reasoning for us going there was that it would enable him to stay in touch and "help us." He was so confident of the treatment, he just didn't think it mattered to go elsewhere.

What I find worrisome are the folks that take MDs as the final authority and aren't comfortable asking questions or pushing. This guy would be a disaster for them.

We are waiting to hear on the PET scan. This waiting is tough. And his gloomy presentation doesn't help.
It's surreal to look at Dave, see him feeling good (other than the biopsy soreness) and think this is going on.

and for the question of the day:

I noticed in a thread that some folks were saying that the MRI might be more accurate than the PET. I'm wondering because the MD said the PET was what would really determine things clearly. For example, the MRI only showed node involvement on one side but he said the PET was clearer and might show involvement on both sides.

Susan,
You certainly are taking the experience with Dr. C. Little with good humor. Good luck with Sloan.