Hi All,

Week 2 was not so kind as week one, not by a long shot.

--I've lost my sense of taste.

--My tongue is gray, as are my gums in spots.

--My throat is sore, to the point where swallowing is uncomfortable.

--I'm having trouble talking--it seems like my tongue weighs 10 pounds and my lips don't work quite right.

--Mouth feels absolutely terrible first thing in the morning, dry, rough, tasteless, etc.

--I've gargling with baking soda/salt mixture--it seems to help a bit.

--I'll talk to the doctor about getting some meds tomorrow for the sore throat.

--However, I'm not fatigued, which is good.

--Twenty more sessions to go.

--I've noticed how important the mouth is! If it isn't working right, life can be miserable.

--I think 40 years from now, they will look back at radiation treatment as a barbaric way to address SCCA. At least I hope that happens--there's got to be a better way. For now, I'm thankful at least we have RT and the talented people who utilize the technology to help cure SCCA...I guess the fact that I'm typing this post right now says a lot--i.e. I'm not incapacitated by the treatments and am looking foward to this being over soon and getting my mouth back to normal. We have to give first with this disease before we get. The radiation technologist said that she feels the RT is curative based on 16 years experience. For me, 20 more treatments to go, a few months of recovery,and hopefully this is a done done deal.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, and my hat's off to all who have preceeded me, as I have a greater understanding of the RT experience.

Regards,

Oscar