Hi --

Are you trying guaifusein syrup? (sorry, I can never recall how to spell this stuff!) Barry uses it at night and also sleeps with a humidifier and so far the mucous problem hasn't really surfaced -- although the nurses say they are seeing much less of the ropy mucous with the tomo machine as more of the salivary glands are spared high dose of rad. Hopkins will prescribe a suction machine if needed and have a couple of HNC patients using one. No arguments, if you need something you will get it -- per our RO.

Barry had an "off " day yesterday -- first day he has been actually sick to his stomach in afternoon -- he ate at the hospital after treatment and the soup didn't agree with him and he had failed to take his Reglan. In any case, the end of the week is always the hardest for him as it is post-chemo and also after 4 days of amiphostine. And of course he is tired. Thank God for a long weekend, he ate well this am and hopes to get back to snuff by Tuesday.

We meet with dental oncologist then to review salivary and dental status and whether he needs to start taking anything now for xerostomia or whether it can wait. He doesn't have much dry mouth but he is just at the 35 Gy point where RO says salivary function starts to fail. Luckily most of his left and somewhat over half his right parotid are getting under that (in fact most of left is getting under 15 Gy total) but expect the right one will start to act up. It is already somewhat tender and inflamed which RO says is expected.

Well, hope everyone enjoys the three days off treatment --!!

Gail