Yo Max...hang in there.

Looks like you and I are pretty much on same schedule of where we are on the treatment front. I just had my 24th rad treatment yesterday. You've probably seen my 'log' on this topic page I'm doing thru all this. I really believe what makes THIS site special the stuff you can LEARN here that you never here from the Drs, etc. espceially of what it's really like to go thru this BY SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY HAS GONE THRU IT. I'm sure almost ALL the Doctors and ALL the nurses have never had to experience this 1st hand.

I also do NOT have a peg basically because none of the Drs have pushed for it .. yet. I'm not having any of the major swallowing issues some seem to have at this point but it is so TRUE that food taste SO UNBELIEVABLY BAD that you just don't want to eat, period. Oh, I can can get down the 4 cans or so of Boost or Ensure, but even that is a chore 'taste wise'. I could handle it ten times better if it had NO taste. I'm still open on getting PEG thing if/when needed. If can do without even the better.

One thing that came up last week because my blood pressure got so low and hydration was becoming a problem...they came pretty darn close to checking me in to hospital to control it. Instead they cam up with the 'home care' people they have me set with that are supplying the 5fu pump and juice to also set me up with some bags of hyration to keep myself well hydrated. That has worked out GREAT so far. Easy to hook up (if you have a port) and easy to deal with. I'm also switching over to SCANDISHAKES which are double calories than than Boost or Ensure, etc. To me that means I only have to endure HALF as many. I found a decenet price site on Ebay that I can get 'em down to a cost factor of about $2.50-$3.00 a shake (includes price of shipping, milk, ice cream, etc.) And, I think they tast a bit better and go down easier. You also 'jack' 'em up with few more calories and stuff with ice cream, maybe some protein whey powder, some Flaxseed Oil (good source of fiber) and whatever else yoy may think of to throw in there and blend yourself a 'carcinoma shake'. I've heard Carnation Instant Breakfast are good also.

Only pain problems I'm having a bit is the burning lips thing which I think is being caused by the chemo (5fu) more than the rads. The lips can be calmed down very quckly (but not long lasting) with some decent stuff the Dr prescribed like Lidocaine liquid stuff. Only problem is I haven't been able to find anything yet that can keep the area 'moist' which equates to pain free for longer periods of time that would alow you to sleep longer than a 2- 3 hrs at a crack. I'm still experimenting there. So far Aquaphor(most likely can get free samples at rad center...ASK!!!) and Carmex (in the tube) are leading the pack for moisture retention.

So, Max...It sounds like we may even have more challenging days ahead the more we get into this. We can do it. And..to repeat....You definetly NOT ALONE thru this.

Gary O