Hi all --

Just a little update, Barry is doing okay but has a pretty sore mouth -- well, back of throat really where the thrush is (it is going away but slowly and area still very sore-looking, while front of mouth, gums and tongue OK). I would not be surprised if this darn infection is going to end up being full-blown mucositis in a few days as it seems to have caused a lot of tissue damage on top of that caused by the radiation. Still using GelClair (it does help) plus various rinses and aloe.

He did take oxycodone when it was worst and is now constipated. One symptom after another! Taking Senacot and but chemo nurse recommend "Smooth Move" herbal tea so will try and find that locally.

He's still eating by mouth but not fun so we are ready to supplement with g-tube when he feels he needs to do it -- Hopkins sent two cases of their preferred tube-feeding formula last night, plus big box of other misc. supplies so we are ready. He vows to keep swallowing some however, no matter how much it hurts, based on our ENT's warnings (recall she had HNC radiation 18 years ago so speaks from very painful experience) -- she is seeing a number of patients who relied 100% on their tube and now cannot swallow anything. Right now water and liquids are not a problem.

Well, maybe things will quiet down a bit over the weekend. Next Wednesday is 1/2 way through....

Gail