I'm Half Way!!!!!

I have just finished my 3rd week of treatment and am doing fairly well. I had an excisional biopsy on my tongue last Tuesday afternoon under general anasthetic and then an overnight stay in hospital. I had radiation before the surgery and my RO was kind enough to give me a two day break before I had the next treatment. My chemo was also cancelled for the week because they felt it may impact on my tongue's recovery from the surgery. Because my tongue is stitched I had to have it sprayed with anasthetic before I could have radiation on Friday and Saturday, but at least I was able to get the bite block in and have the radiation.

My taste is still intact, but I have ulcers (mucositis) right through my mouth and down my throat which, along with my sore tongue, impacts what I am able to eat. I have not lost much weight so I think that I am still able to eat enough - I hope that this continues to be the case - I am hoping to avoid a gastric tube or a PEG. All the hair behind my left ear has fallen out (on Wednesday night it all fell out at once).

My skin is red in the radiation area and I am getting a bit of a rash as well. It doesn't hurt (partly because alot of the area is still numb from my neck dissection). I have also been put onto a low dose of morphine (comes in a raspberry flavoured sachet) and this has done wonders for my overall comfort level. I have one sachet in the morning and one at night. I can also top up with another morphine based medication for breakthrough pain. I had a bit of nausea for the first two days but that has gone now.

On a really positive note my biopsy results were clear of cancer! All in all I have to say I've had a good week!!

Best Wishes to All

Sue