Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update you on Sam's progress as we finish the fourth week of treatments. He has had 20 radiation treatments and has 15 more to go, with 4 of 7 chemo treatments completed. With the help of Carnation VHC, Ensure, Boost in various smoothies, etc, and then TwoCal in the feeding tube in the evening, he has actually managed to gain a little of the weight lost during the diagnosis/testing stage (around 3 lbs).

So far he hasn't taken any pain medication as he has only a little discomfort in his throat when swallowing, but the sunburn red spreads a little more each day on his face and neck and he is tired most of the time.

A new development from Sunday and last night was during the evening feeding tube session he's become nauseous and had to discontinue the feed. The first time he actually had the shivers and threw up but the second time he cut the feed short sooner. The doctor has prescribed something for it which we'll try out tonight. He also said at today's check up that Sam is doing remarkably well physically and they had to book a CT simulation in order to adjust the mask for some reduction in the tumour.

The kids still insist on their nightly torture of Mom, although the toddler is getting better going down down for the night (after a long hysterical session where I closed the door on her). Unfortunately the baby who turned six months old right at the "turn" for Sam's treatments has learned to roll over and has started doing it several times each night in his crib.

Best wishes,

Elaine