Hoi Connie --

Barry now is pretty confident he will be able to eat *something* by mouth all the way through BUT also thinks that last couple of weeks he probably will have to use the PEG to keep calorie intake up (or hydration). He is not resisting using it, just doesn't feel he needs it quite yet. He is eating soft stuff, soups, mashed potatoes, noodles, shakes made with Nutren and flavoring, yogurt, etc. -- as well as some canned fruits.

He has grade (2) mucositis on soft palate but not rest of oral cavity, but is being bothered by thrush which makes swallowing painful. He's trying a nystatin rinse to kick it back as it is not being completly knocked out by Difucane (waxes and wanes). Some yeasts are resistant, as we women know! Like your Jerry, he's found the pain meds help if taken before eating. Also using GelClair helps with soreness.

However they are all happy with how well he's doing -- as am I. We even went out birdwatching a few hours Sunday and Monday though his energy level is not up to a lot now.

Week 5 starts tomorrow -- 13 more treatments (out of 33) -- our check-off sheet now has more boxes "x'ed" than not! YAY!!

Gail