Debbie,

I will definately pass the advice on about the other high calorie drinks. You'll have to keep me posted on Dan's progress from the radiation since they finished up right around the same time. I think my mom(Barbara)is dealing with the same thing (it getting worse before it gets better.) Thats probably one of the most frustrating parts. You'd think once it was over there would at least be a little progress daily. It almost seems like her voice gets more hoarse by the day and since she has no PEG tube everything she eats she has to swallow which isn't the easiest thing if you take a look in her mouth.

She is very close with the priest at her church (my grandfather was the priest there before he passed away)and it helps her a lot to talk to her a few times a week. I can't imagine how it would be if she couldn't talk at all. When she got her first surgery last April she had a traik for about 5 days and it made her crazy that she couldn't talk then.

I'm sure things will start looking better in the next few weeks and we can share stories then. Right now is just a very difficult time....

Danielle