MKlein,
At my first consultation with my radiation onocologist, he sent me to my dentist to get the fluoride trays made. He told me that there is a theory that wearing your fluoride trays DURING rad helps protect your teeth. I've been doing that, and I'm positive it's helped. My tongue is going all white, but the very tip of the tongue where the trays sort of protect it still has feeling in it.

The doctor asked if I'd mind if they tested my teeth, so today I took a treatment without the trays. I had to bite down on a little teeny square sensor thing during the rad; tomorrow I'll wear my trays and bite down on the sensor again and they'll get a picture of whether the trays are helping or not.

So far the trays aren't too uncomfortable. I'm happy to wear them, as after my first rad, I could feel a real "zing" from my fillings. Whatever I can do to protect my teeth during this process is a good thing.

I thought I'd hate doing the fluoride every day (30 minutes a day), but I don't. My tongue doesn't move very well right now and my saliva is minimal, so I know food is not washing out of my mouth like it should. The trays and fluroride are good protection. After all this crap is over, I hope my teeth will still be in OK condition.

Good luck to you!
Susan in Oregon

Thanks for the info on the trays, Joylight. I'm probably going to wear my during the treatments.

Thursday I received that dreaded call from the G.I department at Kaiser. My friend, Joann, in The Dallas told me the feed tube is not that bad. That information made me feel a little better about it. The tube is to be put in place May 22nd at 9:00am.

Friday morning, I came to work and listened to a voicemail that nearly floored me; it was the Chemo Therapist doctor telling me he and the radiologist discussed

MKlien,

Don't dismiss chemo without understanding why there are recommending it. I was told I could only get radiated once and I was told that chemo would enhance the rads ability to kill the cancer by about 20 - 30%. So realizing I basically had one good shot to kill my cancer, I welcomed anything that would improve that shot. It never even crosse my mind to say no to chemo. Was I right? Probably will never know but if my MO or RO said standing on my head would have helped, I would have done that as well.

Thanks for the information, David.

I'm starting to get into the fear factor now.

MKlein

Ditto to what David said. I was told the weekly chemo primarily enhances the effect of radiation, but also helps kill residual cancer cells and prevent recurrence. I have had 2 of 7 chemo treatments, and had very little in the way of side effects so far.

If you pay attention to what the doctors say, take medications regularly, you will be fine.