Hi --

It's been a while since we had an update -- it is one month exactly since Barry ended his treatments. He is gradually improving, really the only thing that remains a problem is pain when eating -- he is eating well but sticks to soft and bland things, quiche, soups, eggs, mac and cheese, etc. Maybe he has an unhealed area further down his throat than I can see using a tongue depressor and light (the upper oral cavity is nearly 100% healed). Guess they will check that out in early November when he goes for an evaluation and swalloqing test. But he is eating much faster and more easily every day, not needing to wash things down so progress is certainly being made.

He has no coughing or phelgm to speak of, and his energy, although not up to pre-treatment levels, is good -- Friday we went to a seminar and expo on the Medicare prescription plan and then went home and off to chase after a rare bird that had been found about an hour away (we saw it).

His goals for the next month is to get his weight back up (which he's started to do a bit, since he's eating more), and to get out more for exercise, yard work and just regular stuff.

Our next big milestone is December when they check to see how well the treatments worked so keeping our fingers and toes crossed!

Happy Hallowe'en!

Gail