Hi Dave:
I also had a series of 40 radiation treatments that started once a day for the first 20 and went to twice a day for the last 20. The regiment used Proton rads, mostly on the last since they kept narrowing my fields. The last 20 maxed me out as far as what they say a person can withstand. I also took Salegen, and still do. Also to protect my saliva glands the oncologist ordered Ethyol treatments before the radiation treatments. The ethyol was given by injection between but just under the top layer of my skin. I had an injection for each day of treatment. The oncologist also wrote scripts for compasine to control the nausea, which worked quite well. It also helped with keeping me eating in the fact I was not nauseated all the time, although the treatments made it difficult to swallow. The ethyol was given by injection during a trial due to the normal way of administering the drug was through IV, but most people were so nauseated they quit taking it. The drug is still being given by injection. Might be worth talking with your oncologist about. The proton radiation worked very well for me in the fact that my tumor was on my epiglottis and very little of it was burned away, but it does have an irregular shape to it. But my vocal cords remain in tact. I still have about half the amount of saliva I used to and my taste is improving but doubtful it will be normal again. My treatments ended July 31, 2002. Just had my check up with my surgeon and everything is clean to date, will now go to every 3 months with both the oncologist and surgeon instead of every month.

Mike