For the thrush they should give you fluconizole (sp?) which will clear it up in about a month. The script should be for one dose a day for 20-30 days. It does come in a liquid if you can't swallow the pills. I would recommend that you talk to the rad doc about it rather than the ENT. I found trying to figure which doc should handle what problem was sometimes a challenge. Eventually I decided to stick with the medical oncologist since he was the most thorough with Harry's examinations and was the one pumping the chemo. It just made sense and it made life a lot easier.

As for the mucositis, I can only tell you about our experiences so far and I have read others who are still suffering long after txs. Harry completed rad at the end of March. He is now 8 weeks post radiation. He still has the mucositis pretty bad and takes very little by mouth. He is up and around and getting a little stronger each day but he continues to have to use the PEG for food and I must continue to run IV fluids nightly because he gets electrolyte imbalanced and dehydrated.

Harry did not experience the worst of the rad txs until the very last few. Myself and the tech people had to really talk him into finishing. It gets really hard BUT... he made it through and he does improve a little every week.

When I was new here I asked the same question about time of recovery after txs. I was told first that everyone is different so what happens to one might not happen to another. But by having the chance to read the various experiences I have not been surprised by the various affects and it has helped us to move through this thing.

I was also told that improvements don't happen on a daily basis because the days can be up and down, sometimes quite drastically, but over time (2,3,4 weeks or so) you will notice that the bad days are less and the good days are more and that things are improving even if they seem slow.

I have had the most difficult time trying to get Harry to understand that he must be patient and give his body time to heal. But even when he doesn't listen to me, his body will draw the lines for him and it won't be ignored.

I guess that the summary here is that healing takes time and it might not always be obvious but it IS happening and will continue every week past radiation. I know that it will seem like forever but its not. And you must keep reminding yourself of that.

Here in Houston there is a group called CanCare and when Harry was first diagnosed and after the oncologists had scared us to death with descriptions of the treatments, I called. They hook survivors up with people just diagnosed. This terrific couple ended up coming over. He had oral cancer 7 years ago and is doing great.

Seeing him was one of the best things for Harry. Seeing and knowing that there is life after tx and that while it takes time it is doable and that there is hope always.

So hang in there Nelie, you are doing great so far. Stay on the docs butts, get some meds for the thrush, and let us know how you are doing.

I am still fairly new at this myself and you and I are in the right place for anything we need.

Thinking of You!
Cindy