Welcome Jason, my doctor once told me, you can get the best care in the world, but more importantly is the support you have during, and after cancer treatment, which matters, and is key to survival. I guess she said this due to my basically going through this alone, and was worn down, sick.

Paul,

I couldn't agree with you more.

Good luck, Jason. I'm wishing you all the best.

Kerri

Thank you everyone - the support is phenomenal as I walk the journey. Family is important and I am thankful that Jason is in my court. I want to thank those who welcomed him. I am very proud of Jason as my son along with his accomplishments and spirit. He is a father of three and a valuable resource since he is a pharmacist. As far as my update the throat is burned and swallowing is difficult. But I am maintaining calorie intake and water. Starting on pain meds today - oxycodone for starters. Erbitux rash is now very prominent and minocycline is used for that. Taste buds are disappearing and mid afternoon fatigue is daily. Yesterday was last day of work and today will be the end of week 2.

So glad you have your support system in place. That is such a big part of the success picture.
Welcome Jason. It's so great that you have gone the extra step for your dad and joined the forums.
Kathy

Week 2 is complete. Maintained my weight and have used pain meds minimally. Hydration is still 60 to 100 ounces a day. Thrush in my throat was confirmed Friday and and a new drug fluconazole added to the mix. So I keep swallowing as painful as it is. Have to aggressively feed myself as taste is disappearing. Rash from Erbitux is spreading around my face and neck and chest. Next week we shoot for the halfway mark. seems like the symptoms are much earlier than I expected. But I will persevere through.

Hi, James,
so glad to hear you have a prominent rash - it is strongly associated with a positive therapeutic result, although the mechanism has not yet been fully described. My husband found that Eucerin's Aquaphor was helpful for the drying and itchiness. Keep up the good work with the hydration and nutrition!

My husband's treatment protocol was almost the same as yours, so I will try to answer any questions you may have.

Maria

Week 3 is complete. Weight is down 3 pounds over 3 weeks. Able to keep hydrated with 80 to 100 oz. of water orally which helps the throat muscles. Eating is getting to be a challenge. Radiation burns and blisters in mouth make it difficult. Add to that loss of taste and the picture becomes clearer. I still eat but have to supplement with liquids. Jevity 1.5 supplies arrived and I will begin to supplement with that to make sure I am at 3000+ calories. so 1/2 way point has been achieved.

Sounds good! 3 pounds is not bad in three weeks.

Keep on doing what you are doing. Sounds good!

Week 4 is complete and 2 more to go. 3 chemo and 11 radiation. My weight is down another 2 pounds this week (5 total). Most of that is due to med change. The Fentanyl patch was prescribed too early at too high of a dose. Loss of appetite, nausea and shortness of breath set me back but we took the patch off after 2 days. Doc wrote new script at half the dose. Mouth/throat are burned and blistered increasing with every treatment. Yet I am pressing on and will fight through the last weeks of treatment and post treatment as well. Thank you for thoughts prayers and encouragements.