Hi guys --

One-third through radiation today!! YAY! And also, one-half way through chemo! DOUBLE YAY!

So far so good, everyone is saying how remarkably well Barry is doing, considering, but of course it is still a long way to go...One recent bump, he got a thrush (yeast) infection in his mouth which they caught on Monday, he's been on Diflucane since then, it seems to be getting better but back of soft palate (where most of the infection was) still pretty sore although the white patches seem to be gone. He can still eat OK just has to be careful, and is using Gelclair which helps. We are keeping a food/water diary and that has also been useful to try and reach his goals of ~2000 calories a day and at least 72 oz. liquid. Just soft foods now. No mucositis yet, thank God, tho the nurses say they usually see it from 10-15 days and we are only at day #12. He is seeing some taste changes, not loss of sweets just mostly an "off" flavor to things. Some other things still taste good -- like vegetable soup and rice pudding.

One interesting thing, both medical onc. nurse and nutritionist said that they are seeing less severe mucositis and thick phlegm since most of the HNC patients have been put on the tomo machine. Not NONE (that would be too much to ask!) but less...and more manageable. So we are keeping our fingers crossed.

However, not being foolish, we have ordered the PEG food, they do not use Boost at Hopkins but a formula specially developed for gastric feeding with less sugar and without the fake flavor. I bet we will need it, even if just to supplement caloric intake. I can see how hard it is to stay on top of that. Barry's normal daily caloric intake (pre-diagnosis and treatment) would have been only about 1800-2000 calories tops and that is without the need to rebuild tissues damaged by radiation and to fight the cancer.

No issues with the chemo -- they give IV Anzemet and that seems to last a full day, by which time he's taken his Zofran for the next day's amiphostine. His blood counts still look good although some are dropping -- next week we get vacation from chemo to regroup.

We emjoyed our new "toy" today while waiting for the chemo nurse -- a mini-DVD player with twin earphones -- Barry's kids' belated birthday gift, very appreciated.

Well, need to go finish watching the movie -- which they interrupted to give him his chemotherapy -- no consideration!

Best., Gail