Hello All,

I thought I would give another progress report.

Pat finished radiation/Erbitux Tx on 5/2/07, so we're now four and a half weeks post treatment. There were days that I thought would never end, while other days seemed to whistle past. Overall, I'd say that the whole ordeal has gone very quickly looking back on it.

Collectively and individually our spirits and mental outlook have been positive and upbeat. We've drawn so much strength, encouragement, and inspiration from the folks here at OCF as well as doctors, nurses, friends, and family. The many prayers and awesome support have made such a difference.

Slowly, but surely, Pat's Erbitux rash and radiation burns on her face, nose, chin, neck, and back of her neck are healing. In fact the only area that's still bad is the area on the right side of her neck where they really cooked the nodes and the primary tumor site. We've tried many things, but the one I keep going back to is the Bag Balm. It still gives Pat almost instant relief once I put it on the burned areas.

Pat still cannot eat anything by mouth, so I'm still feeding her three cans of Carnation VHC per day through her peg tube. The med-onc was so impressed at how well Pat has maintained her weight throughout this whole ordeal that he now routinely orders the Carnation VHC for all of his peg tube patients. Also, I've been able to suggest this to numerous other patients that we see at the IV infusion center. They are also experiencing very good results with the VHC. From what I've read, I expect it will still be a few more weeks until Pat is able to eat normally. Any advice from others on this subject would be appreciated. Pat is anxious to be rid of the peg tube, but I must also say that without it she would not be here today in my opinion. I guess it also goes without saying that we're ready to resume our "normal" lives again - depending upon what "normal becomes over the next few months.

Another treatment option we've had enormous success with is getting additional IV hydration each day. I've been taking Pat seven days a week for the last several weeks for IV hydration. Each day she gets 1 liter of normal saline infused over two hours. Also, on those days when nausea was an issue she got Zofran through the IV as well.I spoke to the med-onc about the burns/rash on Pat's neck and as a result the med-onc ordered Decadron two days per week to help heal the burns for the past two or three weeks. (Decadron is a very strong steroid which also has an anti-nausea effect.)

On Monday we'll be going for the first follow up PET/CT after treatment. We'll then meet with the rad-onc on Thursday to go over the results and see if we got it all. As I've said so many times the past few months, if we get a good report we will Trust the Lord and if we get a bad report we will Trust the Lord - either way we will Trust Him no matter what.

So, that's my little update. I will keep you posted as we progress. Thanks again to all of for your support, prayers, advice and input. You've been such a blessing to us. We will continue to hold you all up in our prayers as well. God bless you.

Walt