Hi all --

We are back from Maine -- had a great 5 days visting friends, went whale-watching (and saw some!), bird-watching, hit the beach (Barry with SPF 45 sunburn block), ate lobstahs, ate more lobstahs, read books, listened to Salvation Army band every night at Old Orchard Beach pavillion down the street from our friend's cottage, read more books, took walks, etc. In other words, kicked back and tried to forget (for a few days) cancer...

Barry goes in tomorrow to get his fluoride trays fitted (he will use for radiation shields as well) and also, to get the peg inserted (ugh!). We are a bit ambivalent about the latter, obviously it is vitally important for many to let them get through treatment but also allows one to avoid the pain of swallowing and later can lead to serious swallowing issues. As his ENT said (she's been through HNC treatment herself so knows) -- you have to try to keep swallowing no matter how much it hurts -- Barry says if she could do it, no peg in those days, old-type radiation, really massive mouth sores, Barry hopes he can as well. We shall see...

Will post updates as things progress...

Gail