The Lortab did nothing for him, but he said the hot tea was soothing. Tonight we'll try the baking, salt, water rinse. We are off to the RO shortyl and plan to ask about pain meds.

Thanks guys!!

I would also recommend the baking soda/salt mixture. You mentioned trying hot tea. I drank Arizon ice tea (at room temp) with ginsing and lemon. To me this tasted smooth.

Also, I would recommend taking a stool softner with your pain meds to prevent constipation. Believe me, I learned the hard way.

yes to baking soda and salt... and if that hurst reduce the salt. Also you might want to consider viscous lidocaine. I found this to be very useful for short time pain control (especially for eating/drinking) and it allowed me to cut back on oxycodone/morphine.. Unfortunately however it is only short term relief.

M

I have the Arizone Tea, which works pretty good, some Apricot nectar, which is soothing and nourishment, and of course Davids Carnation VHC, which I am tired of but have to drink. LOL I'll try anything. I also drink a ton of water daily. Man for some good old fashioned steak or even a hot dog. I am ready when my mouth heals.

I wanted to give you guys an update on where Dan is now. Yesterday he completed the 4th chemo treatment (40mg/2m per week) and the 16th radiation treament (1.8 gy per day). His labs were great. All the docs/nurses yesterday were all pleasantly surprised at how well he is still doing. His complaints are the sore throat, mucous (choking/gagging), and taste buds - the taste buds make some things taste metallic and some things taste bland. Difficulty swallowing - the food must be soft/tender/moist. He has not lost any weight and is still eating and the pain is not enough to take meds. He does have fatigue, but the severity comes and goes. I feel like I'm walking on glass, waiting for the other shoe to drop because I know it's going to hit. I don't want us to become complacent right now. I am staying on him about all the preventive things you guys have shared. We're just taking it one day at a time and trying to really enjoy each day. He cooked breakfast for me this morning and we shopped for a swing set (online) for David's 3rd birthday (May) and now he is out "playing" in his workshop. A wonderful day!!!

PS: I forgot to ask about hair loss. I haven't told Dan and he hasn't noticed yet, but the last two days the back of his shirt has lots of hair on it. It's not enough yet that I could tell by just looking at his hair. I thought I recalled that Cisplatin does not cause hair loss?? Any feedback on this?

The radiation will cause hair loss - sometimes permanent, if directly in the beam field. I never have to shave my neck again (except for a very few stubborn stragglers)

Thanks Gary - I forgot about that and it seems like so little of his head is actually in the radiation field and he's only getting it on one side, but the hairs on the back of his shirt are symmetrical all across the shoulder blades... Does that make sense? CSI I'm not as I describe the "evidence" :-)

Michelle,

Bill had Cis and Taxol so not sure which was the culprit but his beautiful full head of silver/white hair definitely thinned but did not all fall out. His hair is back to its original fullness now...really it started looking better within a couple of months after treatment ended.

The radiation field did keep some neck hairs from coming back as well and the best of all...Bill's skin is very oily but the neck and shoulder areas in the rad field are soft and clear of oil now. Only his face gets oily. Keeps his shirt collars clean. Hey, you have to find all the good you can from this experience.

Deb

Michelle,

The hairs on the back of his neck will fall out due to the exit path of the rad. They will most likely come back many months post Tx. Like Gary I have not had to shave under my chin since the rad but my whiskers did fully return above my chin. As far as I can tell not having to shave under my chin again is the ONLY benefit (well other than saving my life) about this Tx.

I just realized I said up there "so little of his head is in the field" - I meant the hair area of his head. His field is around the right ear down that side almost to the collarbone.