Ron,

I had the amifostine (Ethyol) and made it through about half of the radiation before I developed an allergic reaction. It was not pretty but I am glad that I could tolerate as much as I did. I had field radation and am now eating everything (in sight, unfortunately) and try to eat an entire meal without water. I even started drinking coffee again and even though it tends to dry my mouth out, I love the taste. Everything tastes different at different times and I have learned, for example, to not eat anything sweet before my coffee if I want to enjoy the flavor more. I eat bagels, or any type of bread for that matter and I think I struggle because I have no back teeth more than anything. It is hard to chew the stuff up completely without the chompers. I eat spicy foods, Thai peppers even. I was going over to a Thai friend's house regularly for meals and I finally cut it back to less frequent because they just load up stuff with fire. I pickled some Jalapenos and I don't know if it was all the rain last season but they are much too hot for me and when I bit into one I had to reach for the miracle mouthwash to numb my mouth !

I fully understand your treatment versus quality of life issues. I would have an easier decision because as long as I can do anything about it, I want to spend as much time with my wife and kids as I am allowed in this life. I hope everything works out for you just as you expect it.

Ed