I realize my story isn’t as bad as others, but perhaps I have a lower threshold for suffering. In any case I’m quickly losing hope that things will get better anytime soon.

I was diagnosed with SCC of the left retromolar trigone in October of 2022. The malignancy was surgically removed 11/1/2022. I began radiation on 12/19/2022 and had my 30th and final radiation treatment on 1/31/2023.

Not long after the end of radiation I developed trismus, closely followed by loss of taste and low to no production of saliva. I’m surviving on three Ensures plus ice cream daily.

Pain near the site of my surgery turned out to be exposed bone. Today, I completed the 17th of my first 20 two-hour hyperbaric treatments. Friday, the day after session #20, the area will be debrided by an oral surgeon. A week from today, I’ll have the first of my final 10 two-hour hyperbaric treatments.

I see no end in sight. Any thoughts?