Hi Michael --

Barry had his PEG yesterday and Hopkins Dr. specifically said -- liquid diet only for 12 hours and then eat carefully for a day -- so guess he knew something -- anyway Barry's incision hurt last night (like you said, the muscles) -- took Percoset 3x and had problems finding a comfortable sleeping position. But this am it only hurt a bit, took one painkiller before leaving for the hospital for his tomo walk-through, and none after that. It hurts if he presses around it, but all day he's been able to eat normally. Just burping more than normal.

We were really happy about this, some folks have had nausea problems after the g-tube was inserted.Today, the chemo nurse showed us how to flush the tube once a day and how to clean the dressing around it.

The walk-through (where they check the plan and re-scan to compare with simulation) took a long time which was a real pain as he is somewhat claustrophobic and being in the mask for so long started to get to him. They recommended that he bring some CDs tomorrow to play to distract him.

The fact he's gained 16 pounds since the simulation (sort of a record, he attributes to 3 weeks of cashew nuts and high-calorie smoothies) meant they had to re-calculate some things but they are very pleased he gained weight as he was thin before ("ideal weight" but not for entering chemoradiation therapy!)

Barry has his first real radiation treatment tomorrow and is getting amiphostine -- hoping he can handle it -- has serious anti-nausea meds to take beforehand. Chemo (carboplatin) Thursday, first of 6 treatments.

Good luck Michael, hope you can enjoy some of New York and that the weather moderates! This has been one h*** of a summer in the east for heat and humidity...

Best, Gail