Hi all --

Thaks for all te good advice so far (I am Barry's wife, Gail). I happened to hit the 'net before he has this a.m.

Lots of great suggestions -- some we already implemented since it was obvious that things were flying pretty fast -- like, I'v made up a list of contacts for every part of his team and making sure we know *who* is in charge of each stage. Yesterday must have been "call Barry Cooper" day at Hopkins -- started out with his medical oncologist at 8 am and all through the day, setting up appointments for next week: nutritionist, dental oncologist, blood draw, chemotherapy team and medical oncologist assistant -- all on Monday and Tuesday as Hopkins is trying to give him some time before treatment to get over to see his 98-year-old mum in England. Although she is amazingly fine (lives alone, can you believe!) you never know at that age and Barry knows that he will not be able to travel for months if she should take a down-turn.

He is not having induction chemo as his disease appears to be stable (for the moment) and will start concurrent chemo (carboplatin) and tomo radiation on August 9. He will have to get a peg (ugh!) but they apparently do this just before treatment starts. Will find out more from the nutritionist Monday. His only concern is that he may need dental work that will preclude travel, but again, will find that out Monday.

On that regard, what has been people's experience with denal crowns? I would think -- since they are a lot of metal -- that they would be best removed and the tooth capped with those plastic "temporaries" but I haven't read anything about that on the forum. He does have 2-3 teeth with lots of fillings, too...

One thing that is great is that our friends are really into helping -- one signed Barry up for Blockbuster's DVD's through the mail and we keep getting gifts of (fattening) foods. He has gained 8 pounds since his low point after the tonsillectomy and he has two week's plus to go. I have to be careful, I am not trying to bulk up! <gr>

We stopped our cleaning service last year to save a few bucks but it will be reactivated! This is going to be hard enough without having to clean house...

Again, keep the suggestions coming and we will update everyone as things progress.

Cheers, Gail

CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!