Hi Shannette,

I'm just starting treatment so I'm a newbie in comparison to most on the boards. I spoke with my team about a PEG but they all feel that I'll be fine.

My RO put me on Gabapentin (Neurontin) a few weeks before I started treatment and so far so good with my throat. It helps to reduce or eliminate pain associated with sores in the mouth and throat. I'm 7 rads (of 30) and 1 chemo (of 6) into treatment and I have no throat issues (yet). Upon examination last Friday, I had redness in my throat but I couldn't feel anything. I'm also rinsing with the baking soda/salt/glutamine 4-8 times a day.

It's my goal to do this without a PEG but we'll see. So far, I've maintained my weight over the last few weeks. I'm eating pretty well despite swallowing issues from surgery. Protein shakes have been a huge plus in that (Whey protein, whole milk, fruit, glutamine). I have at least 2 a day in addition to any solids I can get down.

I was a smoker and my cancer is HPV related too (a double whammy!) but should respond well to treatment. Shingles is a form or herpes (herpes zoster) caused by the chicken pox and yes, both HPV and HSV can lie dormant and one would never know they had it. A weakened immune system can trigger an outbreak and treatment can do that so keep an eye for that.

Positive thoughts and prayers for your Dad!

"T"