18 days out from last rad

Feeling ok. Have a few issues related to constipation from last week and straining that may have resulted in some fissures and infection because of the decadron which is an immuno-suppresent, but otherwise I feel pretty good.

The mucositis is basically gone. Still some, but reduced a good 95%. I'm no longer hacking and spitting every two minutes. Now its more like a few times a day.

Swallowing is approaching some sense of normalcy and I am weaning myself off the decadron. I've been able to get down to a very low dose and and I am stretching out the time I need it a few hours at a time until I get down to once a day and then I will be able to get off of it. Hopefully I will be there by Wednesday. But it has been a lifesaver through these peak weeks with the swelling. I highly recommend it to anyone who has throat swelling issues from the rads.

I have started to get some taste recovery. It's not a lot but I went out to eat at a habachi grill and buffet the other night and I could taste a little of several things on the menu. I could taste shrimp a little, some veggies, some grilled chicken, ice cream, a few other little things I tried. I am probably at 35% of normal at this point. Still a long way to go, but there is forward progress so I am grateful for that. Chicken soup is still my mainstay food item for now since I can taste it the best.

I still get tired easy when I put out too much physical effort though. Tired and my throat starts to tigthen up a little even, so there is a ways to go yet before my body back to normal. I think in another month I will start excersizing to rebuild some strength and endurance, once I know my throat can handle the heavier mouth breathing. I think that may help a lot in fact.

All in all it's been a rough few weeks but I am coming in for a semi-soft landing and am grateful for my recovery so far. My first PET will be at the beginning of December so keep me in your prayers.