Christine and gmcraft, thank you so very much.

Some friends have definitely disappeared. I live with my partner but she travels for business occasionally. Her Dad is in a nursing home in another state and she will visit him next weekend. May ask a close friend to stay with me as we have three very large dogs and they can be a handful. May also consider having the dog trainer take two of them to his ranch.

I live 4 miles from the treatment center and usually grab a ride from my partner or from a friend, though I can still drive. Will come home and rest between the two treatments.

Surprised my doctors as I eat mostly solid food; Christine I have taken what you said to heart before I started treatment and I track calories, grams of protein, and ounces of water. I also track sleep using my Fitbit. I can see a correlation with fatigue/pain based on sleep and water primarily. I try to do the neck, tongue, and swallowing exercises as much as I can. I use the salt/baking soda rinse before and after meals and in the morning and evening. My doctor said to rinse at least 6 times per day.

I suspect solid food will likely be too difficult in about a week. It's weird eating food I can't taste! Definitely food has become fuel.

My weight is stable for now; gained 11lbs before starting radiation and am down 5 from there. The gabapentin (900mg 3x/day) manages the pain until about one hour before the next dose. Have started taking Advil to help get over that. The nurse prescribed hydrocodone but I am saving that for pain the Advil won't touch. Have throat, tongue, and gum pain.

My emotions have been all over the place but returning to gratitude and being positive. One of the cool things is friends who aren't close occasionally send cards or small presents and that really lifts my spirits. I am working on thank you cards this evening.

Again, my thanks. Would really be lost without the guidance of this board and the survivors and caregivers willing to pay it forward.