Hi Stephany, and All,

I am also 39 years old, and my 59 year old father had his 20th out of 30 scheduled IMRT treatments
He has T2 SCC in his cheek from lip to ear on the
right side, doctor felt cancer in two lymph
nodes on the same side and they are being hit as well.

The first week of radiation, he began
taking Tylenol with codeine for mouth pain. It helps him a lot.

The second week of radiation, he started a 25 mg. morphine patch for mouth pain.

The third week of radiation he developed a yeast infection in his mouth. Very painful. Doctor told him instead of taking the morphine patch off and replacing it on the third day, to keep it on and add a new one. My dad got very sick, and this lasted until he decided one morphine patch was enough. He hast taken two rounds of diflucan for the infection, which seems to want to persist, but is much better. He is eating yogurt daily and we got some acidophilus from the pharmacy and he sprinkles that on the yogurt. He holds this in his mouth and it is comforting. The rinse that is mandatory for him, 2 parts baking soda, to 1 part salt, to 4 parts water rinses help alot. He does this all day, doctor says you can't do it too much. It promotes healing, and helps reduce the infection, and clears food and drink from his mouth which contributes to the yeast infection.

The fourth week of radiation, he is getting massive amounts of phlem he gets sick on. But today, his 20th treatment, he feels good! He's lost 13# total, his doctor doesn't like this, but my dad is eating solid food, even though he has no taste buds, and tries the mind over matter approach when he can. His treatment is at Cleveland Clinic, 60 miles from home, his wife and brother do the driving. I go with them on Wednesdays to see the doctor, I can't leave work much more than that yet. He is likely to receive brachy therapy when IMRT is over. I cannot believe the difference in the tumor today from 2 weeks ago, it truly looks like precision work, and it looks like the healing is beginning. For this I am grateful! I have been so worried! He says the only thing he can't handle is the pain from the yeast infection, so you might want to keep a close eye out for this. I will be thinking of you and your mom and wondering how it's going, so please keep updating!

I'm glad I found OCF, thank you!