Thank you for the information!

Initially, due to the increased sensitivity in my teeth after RTx, my dentist had me use MI (tooth)paste. Once that was better, I switched to Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. Two weeks ago, things healed enough that I could begin using my floride trays again.

As funny as this may sound, I have cravings for Ensure Plus - I was so bored with them since that was all I could get down for quite a while. Then I worked my way back up to baby food. Now - I can't get enough, so with a little real food and Ensure Plus Vanilla, I think I'm staying on top of the nutrition thing.

My docs don't know why I got this. I had an abnormal pap smear right before this started and that was tested for HPV, which was negative. My repeat pap came back normal, so I wasn't tested for HPV again 3 months later at surgery.

I wonder about second hand smoke. I grew up with on/off smokers and many extended family and friends who smoked. Growing up in the midwest, summer humidity, no a/c in the car, and being with adults smoking, getting carsick, I was never tempted to smoke. And it's only been in recent years that the offices I work in no longer allow smoking at your desk - prior to the smoking policy changes, there was alot of smoke and coupled with poor ventilation - it made for some uncomfortable days in the office. When smoking was banned from the office, my sinus problems went away. Sorry to ramble, but i wonder about second hand smoke.

That's why the docs had me do the radiation for stage I since they didn't have anything to point to as the cause of the SCC - they wanted to be aggressive.

I would not have chosen to go through this, but many wonderful things have happened since then for which my family and I are thankful. We try to find something to be thankful for everyday. This site has been such a help!

Thanks again for all of the information - I need all the help and information that is available! I continue to search and read the site daily.

Kim